TTLA Submits Amicus Brief Supporting Timothy Ruttiger
The Texas Trial Lawyers Association (TTLA) has filed an amicus brief with the Texas Supreme Court on behalf of Timothy Ruttiger.
Jury finds AIG insurer and Gallagher Bassett violated Deceptive Trade Practices Act and assesses $1.759 million verdict
After a five day trial and four hour deliberation, on November 22, 2010, a Harris County jury in the 61st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas. Judge Al Bennett presiding, found AIG insurer The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania and its third-party claims administrator, Gallagher Bassett, committed violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, and that Gallagher Bassett committed violations of the Insurance Code in the wrongful delay and denial of on-the-job injury benefits to Sue Ann Stinson. Ms. Stinson, an international flight attendant for Continental Airlines at the time of her injury, was forced to leave her career and is now faced with an serious spinal condition in her neck due to the insurer and its adjusters delay of medical care at the time prescribed by her treating physicians.
Doyle Files Workers’ Comp Bad Faith Suit Against Zurich
Doyle filed suit on December 15, 2010, against Zurich Insurance and its adjuster on behalf of an employee who suffered an occupational injury while working as a forklift operator. Even though she reported her injury to her employer, her workers’ compensation claim was denied by Zurich and its adjuster, leaving her without medical care and income benefits for over eight months. Zurich initiated medical care and income benefits only after the injured employee won her case in front of the Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers’ Compensation.
Judgment entered by Court enters Final Judgment for $1.78 million against Gallagher Bassett and AIG insurer
The 61st Judicial District Court of Harris County, Texas, Judge Al Bennett presiding, on December 17, 2010, entered Final Judgment on the jury’s verdict for injured Continental international flight attendant Sue Ann Stinson for $1,785,729.60, plus additional attorneys’ fees and interest if appealed by Defendants Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc. and AIG insurer The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania.
Doyle Files Workers’ Comp Bad Faith Suit Against Wal-Mart
Doyle filed a workers’ compensation bad faith lawsuit on January 14, 2011, against Wal-Mart (a self-insured employer) and its adjuster on behalf of an employee who was injured while working when she fell in June 2009. Instead of providing appropriate medical treatment, Wal-Mart denied the extent of the employee’s injury, delaying her ability to return to full-duty work. To make matters worse, Wal-Mart then fired the employee for her inability to return to full duty work.