recorded history, swept through Oklahoma in 1999, a jury has decided.
The verdict, announced late Thursday, delivered millions to the lead plaintiffs and could have repercussions in the Gulf Coast states, where residents allege State Farm acted in bad faith when using engineering firms to assess damages after Hurricane Katrina destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
The jury in the District Court of Grady County, Oklahoma, awarded Donald and Bridget Watkins almost $13 million in total damages for their part in the class action suit against the nation\’s largest insurer. The Watkinses are the lead plaintiffs in the case.
Jeff Marr, who represents the 70 families in the class action, said he thought the insurance company underestimated Oklahomans\’ willingness \”to put an end to corporate arrogance.\”
\”They expected Oklahomans, just like their policy holders, to believe anything they told them,\” he said.
As many as 11,000 Oklahoma residents, who were covered by State Farm when the tornadoes struck in May 1999, could be eligible for damages, Marr said.
\”State Farm is disappointed with the Oklahoma verdict,\” said company spokesman Fraser Engerman, adding that it will appeal.
According to the lawsuit, State Farm hired Texas-based Haag Engineering, which intentionally undervalued damage to homes or claimed the damage was caused by other factors — like faulty construction — instead of tornadoes.
The jury ruled that State Farm \”recklessly disregarded\” its duty to deal fairly and act in good faith with the Watkinses and that it \”intentionally and with malice\” breached its duties as the couple\’s insurance company.
The jury further found \”clear and convincing evidence\” that State Farm recklessly disregarded its duty to act fairly and in good faith with members of the class action by employing Haag Engineering and its independent adjusters from E.A. Renfro Co. It also said State Farm acted intentionally and with malice in dealing with customers in the use of these two companies.
Neither Haag nor E.A. Renfro is a party to the lawsuit, but Haag issued a statement saying it \”strongly disagrees with the jury\’s verdict.\”
\”State Farm hired Haag Engineering because of its recognized expertise in assessing tornado damage,\” the statement said. \”State Farm made no attempt to influence the work of Haag\’s engineers and their analyses, and Haag\’s reports were based on objectively verifiable facts and sound engineering principles.\”
Haag is one of the engineering firms State Farm hired to assess damages in the Gulf after Katrina, Marr said.
Mississippi attorney Richard Scruggs has claimed State Farm hired engineering firms that claimed the damage to structures was caused by water and not wind, making State Farm not liable.
Marr said he plans to help attorneys representing Katrina victims prepare their cases against State Farm.
\”State Farm is using Haag in the Gulf to reduce the amount it pays on claims under the guise of giving these policyholders an objective assessment when it\’s a foregone conclusion on what the outcome will be,\” Marr said.
State Farm\’s Engerman said there is no relation between the Oklahoma cases and those in the Gulf.
\”The facts in the two situations are very different,\” he said. \”One involves damage by Oklahoma tornadoes of 1999. And the other involves damage caused by hurricane and flooding in Mississippi in 2005.\”
Haag\’s attorneys said it was \”too early to speculate on what impact, if any, the Oklahoma case would have
Please stick to one name in your posts. I know you want everyone to think there are many people with the same opinion as your\’s, but we are too smart for you.
If you would get your GED, like I suggested earlier, you would know better.
please try to be coherent.
Posted On: February 16, 2007, 2:09 pm CST
Posted By: Ralph Balamabama
Comment:
The Stand Up Comment. I have no idea what you are talking about. If it was some kind of put down I would love to be able to chuckle about it but I just do not get it. Its pretty fun since I do not take myself to seriously. You must have been hugging the tree so long some of the sap has
These types of things and how insurers respond, but more importantly, following that event, how the patchwork of state regulation allows you or affords you the flexibility to respond, I think, could be a dramatic force in whether or not something happens in Washington. State Farm\’s CEO rust from a 2004 meeting with allstate and nationwide.
they sat down and plotted how after the next disaster they would abuse some area of the country and force their congressmen to give them anouther federal program to suck dry after the next major disaster. They are using our claims processing not as a means to enforce a contract but as a means to abuse us so we will demand the federal government to create a new program THEY can tap after the next disaster.\”\”
I think you are correct. If they were worried about the money they would have just sat back and waited for Judge Senter to develop a relatively cheap mediation program. Such a program would have no punative damages.
I believe you are onto something with these post. These guys are probably up in their headquarters laughing at how stupid we are to not see this is all about a political game to them.
For us its our lives. For them its a game, just like a poker game is to a gambler. Only difference is this game uses human beings and their suffering to win. It really is sick and I hope Gene and Trent can get some controll over these men.
They are out of controll abusers who need to be locked up in cages as they have truely lost their humanity at some point in their lives. But I caution you sir to keep your own humanity. Pray for these men\’s soul and for their families. You do not have to become them to stop them from abusing others. Just my opinion I\’ll keep you in my prayers.
scientists claim that if you sat a monkey in front of a keyboard long enough, eventually, he would type Shakespeare or something like that. I\’m resting much easier, knowing these monkeys are already hard at work. Just hope the tree sap doesn\’t stick to their fingers.
shopping list:
prozac refill
more soap for fingers
tin foil for pretty hat
I still prefer the ranting Melanie, but I\’ll take whatever incoherent version we get. Ann sounds like a party animal, too.
To serve the business of insurance by the proper handling of claims and losses.
To conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that commands respect and confidence.
To promote good will toward the business of insurance by unvarying attitude of fairness, competence, integrity, and proper respect for all persons with whom we have dealings.
To approach investigations and adjustments with an unprejudiced and open mind.
To make truthful and unbiased reports of facts as we find them.
To resist influences tending to provide improper and extravagant settlements and serve our clients fearlessly.
To avoid improper alliances.
To work for economy in expense and render equitable bills.
To refrain from improper solicitation.
To render the highest quality of service.
To work in harmony with one another and our clients to foster cordial relationships among ourselves and the insurance fraternity.
NAIIA Code of Ethics
To serve the business of insurance by the proper handling of claims and losses.
To conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that commands respect and confidence.
To promote good will toward the business of insurance by unvarying attitude of fairness, competence, integrity, and proper respect for all persons with whom we have dealings.
To approach investigations and adjustments with an unprejudiced and open mind.
To make truthful and unbiased reports of facts as we find them.
To resist influences tending to provide improper and extravagant settlements and serve our clients fearlessly.
To avoid improper alliances.
To work for economy in expense and render equitable bills.
To refrain from improper solicitation.
To render the highest quality of service.
To work in harmony with one another and our clients to foster cordial relationships among ourselves and the insurance fraternity.
NAIIA Code of Ethics
To serve the business of insurance by the proper handling of claims and losses.
To conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that commands respect and confidence.
To promote good will toward the business of insurance by unvarying attitude of fairness, competence, integrity, and proper respect for all persons with whom we have dealings.
To approach investigations and adjustments with an unprejudiced and open mind.
To make truthful and unbiased reports of facts as we find them.
To resist influences tending to provide improper and extravagant settlements and serve our clients fearlessly.
To avoid improper alliances.
To work for economy in expense and render equitable bills.
To refrain from improper solicitation.
To render the highest quality of service.
To work in harmony with one another and our clients to foster cordial relationships among ourselves and the insurance fraternity.
Seems that since over 95% of the claims were settled without sqawk or squeal, all but a few of the adjusters lived up to or came close to these ideals.
The jury ruled that State Farm \”recklessly disregarded\” its duty to deal fairly and act in good faith with the Watkinses and that it \”intentionally and with malice\” breached its duties as the couple\’s insurance company
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recorded history, swept through Oklahoma in 1999, a jury has decided.
The verdict, announced late Thursday, delivered millions to the lead plaintiffs and could have repercussions in the Gulf Coast states, where residents allege State Farm acted in bad faith when using engineering firms to assess damages after Hurricane Katrina destroyed thousands of homes and businesses.
The jury in the District Court of Grady County, Oklahoma, awarded Donald and Bridget Watkins almost $13 million in total damages for their part in the class action suit against the nation\’s largest insurer. The Watkinses are the lead plaintiffs in the case.
Jeff Marr, who represents the 70 families in the class action, said he thought the insurance company underestimated Oklahomans\’ willingness \”to put an end to corporate arrogance.\”
\”They expected Oklahomans, just like their policy holders, to believe anything they told them,\” he said.
As many as 11,000 Oklahoma residents, who were covered by State Farm when the tornadoes struck in May 1999, could be eligible for damages, Marr said.
\”State Farm is disappointed with the Oklahoma verdict,\” said company spokesman Fraser Engerman, adding that it will appeal.
According to the lawsuit, State Farm hired Texas-based Haag Engineering, which intentionally undervalued damage to homes or claimed the damage was caused by other factors — like faulty construction — instead of tornadoes.
The jury ruled that State Farm \”recklessly disregarded\” its duty to deal fairly and act in good faith with the Watkinses and that it \”intentionally and with malice\” breached its duties as the couple\’s insurance company.
The jury further found \”clear and convincing evidence\” that State Farm recklessly disregarded its duty to act fairly and in good faith with members of the class action by employing Haag Engineering and its independent adjusters from E.A. Renfro Co. It also said State Farm acted intentionally and with malice in dealing with customers in the use of these two companies.
Neither Haag nor E.A. Renfro is a party to the lawsuit, but Haag issued a statement saying it \”strongly disagrees with the jury\’s verdict.\”
\”State Farm hired Haag Engineering because of its recognized expertise in assessing tornado damage,\” the statement said. \”State Farm made no attempt to influence the work of Haag\’s engineers and their analyses, and Haag\’s reports were based on objectively verifiable facts and sound engineering principles.\”
Haag is one of the engineering firms State Farm hired to assess damages in the Gulf after Katrina, Marr said.
Mississippi attorney Richard Scruggs has claimed State Farm hired engineering firms that claimed the damage to structures was caused by water and not wind, making State Farm not liable.
Marr said he plans to help attorneys representing Katrina victims prepare their cases against State Farm.
\”State Farm is using Haag in the Gulf to reduce the amount it pays on claims under the guise of giving these policyholders an objective assessment when it\’s a foregone conclusion on what the outcome will be,\” Marr said.
State Farm\’s Engerman said there is no relation between the Oklahoma cases and those in the Gulf.
\”The facts in the two situations are very different,\” he said. \”One involves damage by Oklahoma tornadoes of 1999. And the other involves damage caused by hurricane and flooding in Mississippi in 2005.\”
Haag\’s attorneys said it was \”too early to speculate on what impact, if any, the Oklahoma case would have
In 2005 more than 400,000 fraud-related complaints were filed with the — fedral Trade Commission, compared with just 16,500 in 1996.
Kim David,
Please stick to one name in your posts. I know you want everyone to think there are many people with the same opinion as your\’s, but we are too smart for you.
If you would get your GED, like I suggested earlier, you would know better.
please try to be coherent.
Posted On: February 16, 2007, 2:09 pm CST
Posted By: Ralph Balamabama
Comment:
The Stand Up Comment. I have no idea what you are talking about. If it was some kind of put down I would love to be able to chuckle about it but I just do not get it. Its pretty fun since I do not take myself to seriously. You must have been hugging the tree so long some of the sap has
These types of things and how insurers respond, but more importantly, following that event, how the patchwork of state regulation allows you or affords you the flexibility to respond, I think, could be a dramatic force in whether or not something happens in Washington. State Farm\’s CEO rust from a 2004 meeting with allstate and nationwide.
they sat down and plotted how after the next disaster they would abuse some area of the country and force their congressmen to give them anouther federal program to suck dry after the next major disaster. They are using our claims processing not as a means to enforce a contract but as a means to abuse us so we will demand the federal government to create a new program THEY can tap after the next disaster.\”\”
I think you are correct. If they were worried about the money they would have just sat back and waited for Judge Senter to develop a relatively cheap mediation program. Such a program would have no punative damages.
I believe you are onto something with these post. These guys are probably up in their headquarters laughing at how stupid we are to not see this is all about a political game to them.
For us its our lives. For them its a game, just like a poker game is to a gambler. Only difference is this game uses human beings and their suffering to win. It really is sick and I hope Gene and Trent can get some controll over these men.
They are out of controll abusers who need to be locked up in cages as they have truely lost their humanity at some point in their lives. But I caution you sir to keep your own humanity. Pray for these men\’s soul and for their families. You do not have to become them to stop them from abusing others. Just my opinion I\’ll keep you in my prayers.
Posted
I DO wonder if the people on the trains said o my GOD what did me do than would let this happy ann Frank your baby,s for Whyy $$$$$$$$
scientists claim that if you sat a monkey in front of a keyboard long enough, eventually, he would type Shakespeare or something like that. I\’m resting much easier, knowing these monkeys are already hard at work. Just hope the tree sap doesn\’t stick to their fingers.
shopping list:
prozac refill
more soap for fingers
tin foil for pretty hat
I still prefer the ranting Melanie, but I\’ll take whatever incoherent version we get. Ann sounds like a party animal, too.
NAIIA Code of Ethics
To serve the business of insurance by the proper handling of claims and losses.
To conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that commands respect and confidence.
To promote good will toward the business of insurance by unvarying attitude of fairness, competence, integrity, and proper respect for all persons with whom we have dealings.
To approach investigations and adjustments with an unprejudiced and open mind.
To make truthful and unbiased reports of facts as we find them.
To resist influences tending to provide improper and extravagant settlements and serve our clients fearlessly.
To avoid improper alliances.
To work for economy in expense and render equitable bills.
To refrain from improper solicitation.
To render the highest quality of service.
To work in harmony with one another and our clients to foster cordial relationships among ourselves and the insurance fraternity.
NAIIA Code of Ethics
To serve the business of insurance by the proper handling of claims and losses.
To conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that commands respect and confidence.
To promote good will toward the business of insurance by unvarying attitude of fairness, competence, integrity, and proper respect for all persons with whom we have dealings.
To approach investigations and adjustments with an unprejudiced and open mind.
To make truthful and unbiased reports of facts as we find them.
To resist influences tending to provide improper and extravagant settlements and serve our clients fearlessly.
To avoid improper alliances.
To work for economy in expense and render equitable bills.
To refrain from improper solicitation.
To render the highest quality of service.
To work in harmony with one another and our clients to foster cordial relationships among ourselves and the insurance fraternity.
NAIIA Code of Ethics
To serve the business of insurance by the proper handling of claims and losses.
To conduct ourselves at all times in a manner that commands respect and confidence.
To promote good will toward the business of insurance by unvarying attitude of fairness, competence, integrity, and proper respect for all persons with whom we have dealings.
To approach investigations and adjustments with an unprejudiced and open mind.
To make truthful and unbiased reports of facts as we find them.
To resist influences tending to provide improper and extravagant settlements and serve our clients fearlessly.
To avoid improper alliances.
To work for economy in expense and render equitable bills.
To refrain from improper solicitation.
To render the highest quality of service.
To work in harmony with one another and our clients to foster cordial relationships among ourselves and the insurance fraternity.
Seems that since over 95% of the claims were settled without sqawk or squeal, all but a few of the adjusters lived up to or came close to these ideals.
The jury ruled that State Farm \”recklessly disregarded\” its duty to deal fairly and act in good faith with the Watkinses and that it \”intentionally and with malice\” breached its duties as the couple\’s insurance company