Shelly Hobbie walks through the rubble left of her son’s mobile home in Woodward, Okla. on April 15, 2012. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)An Oklahoma judge has ordered Farmers Insurance and a subsidiary to pay a total of $15 million to three plaintiffs who filed property claims resulting from an EF-3 tornado that struck Woodward, Okla. in 2012, killing six people and injuring 29.Plaintiffs Sterling Parks, Jeff and Mary Sharpe, and Kim and Linda Louthan alleged that Los Angeles, Calif.-based Farmers Insurance Inc. and Foremost Insurance Group not only underpaid claims involving damage to their homes but also selected adjusters whom they believed “would offer low estimates.”Jeff Marr, the attorney who filed the lawsuit in August 2012 on behalf of the homeowners, says the adjuster in the Parks’ claim determined the home was not structurally damaged and therefore could be repaired, even though an engineer hired by Parks reccommended the home be torn down.On. Feb. 28, District Judge Ray Dean Linder sided with the three plaintiffs, holding Farmers Insurance and Foremost Insurance Group liable for a total of $15 million in damages. Judge Linder awarded the plaintiffs $2 million each for bad faith and breach of duty, as well as $3 million each in punitive damages. Additionally, the state district judge awarded $49,278.26 to Parks; $224,202.82 to the Louthans; and $245,967.58 to the Sharpes, all for breach of contract.When asked about the case, a spokesman for Farmers Insurance said the company is “still reviewing the judge’s decision and evaluating [the] next step.” BY CHRISTINA BRAMLETSource: The Oklahoman
Twitter feed is not available at the moment.
What people say about UP
“This group provided valuable information and support for those who lost their homes in the Fourmile Fire two years ago and they have worked in many other communities that have suffered property damaging disasters. I recommend them without reservation.”
United Way
“We cannot thank you enough for all your support, education and assistance through our recovery from the 2017 Tubbs Fire. Without all your input I have no idea how we could have recovered. We’re not quite there yet, but getting closer! Many, many thanks.”
Christopher and Urmila - 2017 Tubbs Fire Victims
“The disaster recovery resources you provided helped many individuals and families.”
County of Lake, CA
“Certificate of Appreciation in recognition of your outstanding contributions to the Third Supervisorial District and the County of San Diego.”
County of San Diego
“(United Policyholders) provided helpful insights into the state of the current insurance market for earthquake, fire and flood coverage, and the critical rile insurance plays in the ability of our communities recover from such catastrophic events. You brought an important and unique perspective to the hearing, that of homeowners themselves.”
California State Senate
“Whenever I felt confused about any topic I first looked it up in the yellow book. Then I could go deeper based on what I read. Or I knew when to call it good.”
Wildfire Survivor 2014