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Jury Finds Ace American and Gallagher Bassett Acted in Bad Faith

Firm News, Insurance Bad Faith, New Blog, News

On April 28, 2022, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP secured a $500,000 (plus attorneys’ fees) verdict against Ace American Insurance Company and Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. in Phoenix, Arizona. Specifically, the jury determined that Ace and Gallagher Bassett acted in bad faith by wrongfully denying payment of workers’ compensation benefits to an employee who worked for a mining company and awarded compensatory damages.
Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client suffered an undisputed lumbar spine injury while working in a copper mine. Although three doctors confirmed that the client needed a fusion surgery, Gallagher Bassett’s adjuster refused to authorize the surgery and denied the client’s claim.
After hearing four days of testimony and argument in the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona, the jury found that Ace and Gallagher Bassett denied the plaintiff’s claim without a reasonable basis and refused to complete a reasonable investigation of the workers’ compensation claim. Specifically, the jury determined that Ace breached the duty of good faith and fair dealing owed to Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client. The jury also determined that Gallagher Basset aided and abetted Ace in delaying and denying the claim without a reasonable basis.
Based upon these determinations, the jury found that Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client was entitled to $500,000 in damages to compensate for past and future mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. At the judgment stage of the case, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s attorneys will be able to request an award of attorney’s fees and litigation costs, in addition to the $500,000 of compensatory damages.
The case was tried by Michael Patrick Doyle (lead counsel) and Jeffrey Avery (second chair). Following the case, Mr. Avery stated, “In reaching this verdict, the jury sent an important message to insurers throughout the state of Arizona that they will be held accountable for failing to measure up to their required standards.”
If you were harmed by the wrongful conduct of an Arizona workers’ compensation carrier, contact Doyle Dennis Avery LLP for a free evaluation of your potential claims.

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP Sues Travelers Indemnity Company of America

Firm News, Insurance Bad Faith, News

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP filed a bad faith insurance lawsuit against Travelers Indemnity Company of America in Maricopa County, Arizona.
Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client worked at a pizza restaurant and was injured on the job. When employers purchase workers’ compensation insurance to protect their injured employees, insurance companies must complete a reasonable investigation of the employee’s compensation claim. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable.
Following the client’s on-the-job injury, the client was diagnosed with articular cartilage lesion. As a result, the client’s doctor recommended surgery and supportive care. Unfortunately, Travelers Indemnity ignored the doctor’s requests for treatment. Rather than properly investigate and adjust the client’s workers’ compensation claim to ensure that the client would receive the medical, financial, and other benefits to which he was entitled as a beneficiary of the workers’ compensation promised to the employees of the pizza restaurant, the insurance company denied payment of benefits.
Doyle Dennis Avery LLP has significant experience in holding insurance companies accountable. This year, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP secured a $500,000 verdict in a bad faith lawsuit against Ace American Insurance Company and Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. In that case, the Maricopa County jury found that Doyle Dennis Avery LLP’s client was entitled to $500,000 in damages to compensate for past and future mental anguish, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
If you are an injured worker who was harmed by the wrongful denial of workers’ compensation benefits, life insurance benefits, property damage benefits, or other insurance payments, you may have a claim for insurance bad faith. Doyle Dennis Avery LLP will not charge you to complete an initial evaluation of your claim.

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP Files Suit After Client Killed At Burdogz Bar and Grill

Firm News, News, Personal Injury

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP recently filed a lawsuit in Victoria County, Texas against Burdogz LLC, D/B/A Burdogz Bar and Grill (“Burdogz Bar and Grill”) following the death of AquCraigis Watson at Burdogz Bar and Grill for negligent security.


AquCraigis Watson worked as a bartender at Burdogz Bar and Grill. Prior to his death, Mr. Watson had completed a work shift. Before Mr. Watson left, Burdogz Bar and Grill requested that he remain at the restaurant because there was not enough security. Mr. Watson agreed to help. On or about that time, an altercation between restaurant patrons ensued. During the altercation, Mr. Watson was shot and killed. The shooter has since been charged by the Victoria County District Attorney in Mr. Watson’s death.
After Mr. Watson was killed, Doyle Dennis Avery LLP filed a wrongful death lawsuit. Specifically, Burdogz Bar and Grill knew or should have known that the premises required security measures. Burdogz Bar and Grill also knew or should have known of numerous similar violent incidents before the incident forming the basis of the lawsuit, but refused to take reasonable steps provide for the safety and security at Burdogz Bar and Grill. Burdogz Bar and Grill failed to provide adequate security and safety measures to the individuals at Burdogz Bar and Grill.


The condition at Burdogz Bar and Grill was such that it created an unreasonably dangerous condition which Burdogz Bar and Grill knew, or should have known, was unreasonably dangerous. Further, Burdogz Bar and Grill failed to exercise ordinary care to provide reasonable safety and/or to adequately warn Mr. Watson of the dangerous condition. Burdogz Bar and Grill’s failure to correct the condition and/or to adequately warn Mr. Watson constituted negligence. Burdogz Bar and Grill’s negligence was the proximate cause of the incident in question and Mr. Watson’s resulting injuries and death.
Because of Burdogz Bar and Grill’s negligence, Mr. Watson’s mother, wife, and three children have suffered significant harm. In addition, Mr. Watson’s estate is a separate plaintiff in the lawsuit, and the Representative of Mr. Watson’s Estate has sued for recovery for the physical pain, mental anguish, disfigurement, and physical impairment suffered by Mr. Watson prior to his death, and for any medical expenses and funeral expenses of last interment.


Under Texas law, the surviving spouse, children, and parents of the deceased individual may have survival claims. If you lost a loved one because of the negligence of a company, contact Doyle Dennis Avery LLP for a free evaluation of your potential legal claims.