Attorney Laura Martino recently successfully defended State Farm in an underinsured motorist case at trial. The Plaintiff was involved in a motor vehicle accident in 2019. The Plaintiff settled with the tortfeasor for policy limits. The Plaintiff filed suit against State Farm alleging breach of contract and bad faith. The bad faith claim was dismissed following a dispositive motion. The suit proceeded to trial with respect to damages. The jury awarded damages within the tortfeasor’s limits. Thus, in effect, the verdict against State Farm was $0.00.
Piatz v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, Case No. 3:21-cv-00007