Jury Awards $38,776 in Underinsured Motorist Coverage Dispute

A motor vehicle collision occurred in Mesa County, Colorado, involving a vehicle operated by the defendant and another car carrying the plaintiff as a passenger. The plaintiff alleged the incident caused permanent personal injuries, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and resulted in medical expenses and economic losses. The plaintiff filed a vehicular liability action in the Colorado District Court, Twenty-First Judicial District, County of Mesa, claiming the defendant's negligence. Allegations included failing to operate the vehicle prudently, maintain a proper lookout, obey traffic control devices, driving at an excessive speed, and failing to stop at a red light. The plaintiff sought damages for the alleged harm. In response, the defendant denied the allegations of negligence. The defendant also asserted affirmative defenses, including claims of failure to state a claim, culpable conduct, and failure to mitigate damages. The parties subsequently filed a notice with the court indicating that they had reached a settlement in the action.

A plaintiff with a classic automobile insurance policy filed a claim after three vehicles went missing or were stolen from a storage location in Denver, Colorado. The policy required storage in a specific secure building, but the plaintiff had moved the vehicles during renovations. Two vehicles were later recovered severely damaged, while a third remained unlocated. The insurer made a partial payment for one vehicle but denied full coverage, attributing some damage to wear and tear and denying the unrecovered vehicle's claim. The plaintiff sued the insurer in federal court, alleging breach of contract, unreasonable delay and denial of payment under Colorado statutes, and common-law bad faith. The insurer counterclaimed, seeking a declaratory judgment, alleging breach of the policy's misrepresentation and concealment provisions, and requesting recoupment of payments. These counterclaims were permitted to proceed following a magistrate judge's recommendation, which a district judge adopted. The plaintiff later amended the complaint to add the insurance producer as a defendant, alleging negligence if insurer coverage was denied. In July 2023, the plaintiff and the insurer filed a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice for all claims between them, indicating a settlement had been reached. The specific terms of this settlement were not publicly disclosed. Each party agreed to bear its own costs and attorney fees.

The employer, Star*Tel Systems, appealed a decision by an administrative law judge in Kentucky. The judge had previously determined that an employee sustained a permanent and total disability following a work-related motor vehicle accident. The appeal challenged the judge's opinion, order, and award.

On May 9, 2015, a passenger was involved in a vehicle collision at the intersection of Fifth and Broadway in downtown Louisville, Kentucky. The vehicle carrying the plaintiff was struck by a second car, whose driver had proceeded through a red light. The plaintiff was treated at an emergency room and subsequently for an aggravation of degenerative cervical and disc conditions, incurring medical bills totaling $19,478. After receiving $25,000 from the at-fault driver's insurer, the plaintiff filed a lawsuit in Jefferson Circuit Court against his own carrier, the defendant insurer, seeking Underinsured Motorist (UIM) coverage. The case was later removed to federal court on diversity jurisdiction. The plaintiff claimed $19,478 for medical expenses and $129,000 for pain and suffering. The defendant insurer argued that the claimed injuries were minimal and pointed to the plaintiff's history of similar complaints from a previous accident seven months prior. The case proceeded to a jury trial, which focused solely on the issue of damages. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the plaintiff for $119,478, comprising $19,478 for medical expenses and $100,000 for pain and suffering. This award exceeded the $35,000 threshold required to activate UIM coverage and the $60,000 amount that would have exhausted the defendant insurer's UIM policy. The court subsequently entered a judgment for the plaintiff for the $25,000 UIM policy limits.

A lawsuit stemmed from a motor vehicle and pedestrian collision. The plaintiff presented expert testimony related to life care planning and rehabilitation, indicating claims for long-term care and disability. The defendant countered with expert testimony from fields including psychology, neuropsychology, and orthopedic surgery. The parties reached a resolution, and the case was concluded with a stipulated dismissal in April 2019.