$20 Million Verdict Entered Against Allstate Insurance for Bad Faith
An Indiana jury determined Allstate Insurance Company committed bad faith in failing to pay a man for losses due to injuries and damage to his car following a car crash and awarded the man $20 Million. The jury decided Ted Fields was in bad hands after applying for property damage and medical benefits under his Allstate policy following a car crash. Fields, age 50, who is now a retired steelworker on disability, suffered spinal injuries in a 1995 car collision. The company that insured the driver who caused the accident was insolvent, so Fields' own insurance, from Allstate, was supposed to provide what is called "unininsured motorist coverage." Most Utahn's have such insurance. All Fields wanted was from Allstate was to get his car fixed from the wreck and his medical bills paid. However, Allstate refused and forced the injured man to file suit against the company for breach of the insurance contract and bad faith. The Jury found Allstate's actions resulted in Fields suffering additional medical problems including a rise in blood pressure which led to heart problems and a stroke.
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