Okla. Court Reduces $9M Verdict

The state Court of Civil Appeals has ordered a woman’s $9 million jury verdict reduced by almost $3.4 million.

The court took the action on Friday in a lawsuit filed by Barbara J. Nettles against Farmers Insurance Company.

The ruling says Nettles was insured by Farmers when her right knee was injured in a collision on an Oklahoma City highway in 2004. Her lawsuit alleged breach of good faith and fair dealing in an insurance contract.

A jury awarded Nettles $4.5 million in actual damages and another $4.5 million in punitive damages. But the appellate court reduced the total award to about $5.6 million.

The court gave Nettles 20 days to agree to the lower award or Farmers will be entitled to a new trial.