Merrick v. Paul Revere and UnumProvident (Unum Group)
$61,647,355 Verdict for bad faith denial of disability benefits - U.S. District Court, Las Vegas, Nevada, 12/13/2004 (compensatory award) and 6/26/08 (punitive damage award). Disabled venture capitalist sued insurer for denial of disability benefits and bad faith. Jury verdict of $1,147,355 in back benefits, $500,000 for emotional distress and $60 million in punitive damages.  See our News page for further details.   This award was # 7 in the Top Ten Jury Verdicts of 2008  FR's Co-counsel - Julie Mersch, Las Vegas, NV and Mac Sasser, Charlotte, NC.

Bergonzi v. Central States Health and Life Co. of Omaha
$20,000,000 Class Action Settlement for bad faith denial of cancer insurance benefits - U.S. District Court, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 11/18/03. Insurer agreed to pay $20 million to settle claims that it sold cancer insurance to people nationwide but paid only a fraction of the benefits when they got sick. Of the $20 million, $7.5 million is to be paid to about 1,240 people who were denied coverage. Of the rest, $2.5 million will pay attorneys' fees and the remainder will be put into a fund to pay for any future medical expenses incurred by the 1,400 people who filed claims or any of more than 18,000 other people nationwide who bought the policies but have not contracted cancer. FR's Co-Counsel - Mike Abourezk, Rapid City, SD and Peter Kahana, Philadelphia, PA. Details.

Nordhoff Townhomes Association v. Farmers Insurance Co.
$20,000,000 settlement for bad faith denial of earthquake insurance benefits - Los Angeles Superior Court, California 3/2000. Condominium owners sued Farmers for bad faith for the handling of their property damage claims after the Northridge Earthquake in 1994. Jury verdict of $3.9 million compensatory damages. Case settled for $20 million prior to punitive phase of trial. FR's Co-counsel - Bernie Bernheim, North Hollywood, CA.

McKendry v. General American, Paul Revere
$17,300,000 Verdict for bad faith denial of disability benefits - Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix, Arizona. 6/1999. Man whose disability insurance benefits were terminated sued for bad faith. $350,000 compensatory damages, $17 million punitive damages. Confidential settlement pending retrial. FR's Co-counsel - Steve Dawson, Phoenix, AZ.

Ace v. Aetna
$16,500,000 Verdict for bad faith denial of disability benefits - U.S. District Court, Juneau, Alaska. 5/1996. Woman whose disability insurance claim was denied sued for denial of benefits and bad faith. Jury verdict of $127,000 compensatory damages, $16.5 million punitive damages. Remitted post appeal. Case settled for confidential amount.

Tyson v. State Farm
$10,000,000 Settlement for improper denial of attendant care benefits in auto insurance policy - Wayne County Circuit Court, Detroit, Michigan, 9/10/2004. Man rendered quadriplegic in a car accident in 1977 sued insurer for concealing the availability of attendant care benefits and underpayment of benefits. Case settled for $10,000,000 after trial commenced. Insurer continues to be responsible for unlimited attendant care benefits in the future. FR's Co-counsel - Paul Zebrowski, Shelby Township, MI.

Robinson v. State Farm
$9,500,000 Verdict for bad faith denial of medical benefits in auto insurance policy - Ada County District Court, Boise, Idaho, 3/1998. Woman injured in a single car accident sued insurer for failure to make payment under medical pay coverage. Jury verdict of $102,000 compensatory damages, and $9.5 million in punitive damages. Confidential Settlement pending retrial. FR's Co-counsel - Jim Harris, Boise, ID and Dale McGarvey, Kalispell, MT. Cindy Robinson's story was featured by Dateline NBC - in Paper Chase Part I broadcast June 23, 2000 and Paper Chase Part II broadcast July 25, 2000. Click here for a 5-minute video clip of the original broadcast (You must have RealPlayer® to play this video).

Fisher v. Aetna
$8,600,000 Verdict for bad faith denial of disability benefits - Anchorage Superior Court, Alaska, 7/9/1998. Man whose disability insurance claim was denied sued for denial of benefits and bad faith. Jury verdict of $292,000 compensatory damages, $8.4 million in punitive damages. Settled for a confidential amount.

Daniels v.  v. American Physicians Assurance Corporation
$3,829,277 Verdict for bad faith delay of settlement of malpractice claim - Jefferson County Circuit Court, Louisville, KY, 6/3/2009.  Insurer unreasonably delayed settlement of woman's medical malpractice claim against doctor.  Jury verdict of $250,000 compensatory damages, $3,479,277 in punitive damages.  For details, click here to go to our news page.

Johnstown Feed & Seed v. Continental Western Insurance Co.
$3,500,000 Verdict for bad faith delay of fire insurance benefits - U.S. District Court, Denver, Colorado, 2/24/2010.  Insurer unreasonably delayed payment following fire because it also insured welders who caused fire that burned down grain elevator and feed mill.  In addition to the $3.5 Million awarded by the jury, plaintiffs may recover up to $1.5M in prejudgment interest.  For details, click here to go to our news page. FR's Co-counsel - Chris Ingold, Denver, CO.

Paquette v. State Farm
$3,296,413 Verdict for improper denial of attendant care benefits in auto insurance policy - Macomb County Court, Michigan, 7/26/2006. Mother of teenager who suffered brain stem injury in auto accident in 1985 sued insurer for concealing the availability of attendant care benefits and underpayment of benefits. Jury verdict of $3,296,413.29. In addition, insurer may be required to pay attorney fees and costs and must continue to pay attendant care benefits in the future. FR's Co-counsel - Paul Zebrowski, Shelby Township, MI. Further details are on our news page (click here).

Greenberg v. Paul Revere Life Ins., Co., et al.
$2,950,000 Verdict for bad faith denial of disability benefits - US District Court, Phoenix, Arizona, 1/2002. Disabled stockbroker sued for bad faith arising out of termination of benefits under own occupation disability insurance policy. $547,445.42 compensatory damages; $2.4 million punitive damages. Affirmed, 2004 WL 74630 (9th Cir. 2004). FR's Co-counsel - Calvin C. Thur, Scottsdale, AZ.

David Mello v. Horace Mann Insurance Company
$650,000 settlement for bad faith denial of underinsured motorist benefits - 1st Judicial District Court, Carson City, Nevada 1/2003. (Breach of contract and Insurance Bad Faith) David Mello, an optometrist, was rear-ended by a drunk driver who had only $15,000 of insurance. Despite substantial back injuries and economic losses, his insurance company failed to promptly or fairly evaluate his injuries or investigate his claim. Case settled prior to trial for $650,000. FR's Co-counsel James Wilson, Carson City, NV.

Daniel Athey v. Farmers Insurance Exchange
$645,000 Verdict for bad faith denial of underinsured motorist benefits - US District Court, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 8/1999. Man sued Farmers for bad faith claim evaluation and handling in connection with underinsured motorist coverage. Jury verdict of $185,000 compensatory damages, $450,000 punitive damages.  FR's Co-counsel Christopherson, Bailin & Anderson, Sioux Falls, SD.  Paralegal - Kimberly Becker.

Koch v. Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Co.,
Jury Verdict for breach of insurance contract - U.S. District Court, Tacoma, WA, 11/19/2009. Insurer refused to pay disability benefits to dentist with bilateral vestibular disorder and attempted to rescind.  Verdict for dentist obligates insurer to reinstate benefits, pay attorney fees and court costs. For more details, see our News page.

Shepherd v. UnumProvident Corp. and Provident Life and Accident Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, Pikeville, KY, 8/2005. Door to door insurance debit agent who became disabled following surgery for heart tumor sued for bad faith denial of disability benefits. Confidential Settlement. FR's Co-counsel Austin Mehr, Lexington, Kentucky.

Doe v. General American Life Ins. Co. and Paul Revere Life Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2005. Disabled doctor sued insurer following denial of benefits. All claims were settled to the mutual satisfaction of the parties. FR's Co-Counsel - Patrick J. Reilly, Allentown, PA.

Connel v. The Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States and Paul Revere Life Insurance Company,
Confidential Settlement - Court of Common Pleas, County of Richland, South Carolina, 2004. Disabled lawyer sued insurers for breach of contract and bad faith after his benefits were denied following a heart attack. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-Counsel - Paul Kamber, Columbia, SC.

Burns v. Paul Revere Life Ins. Co. and UnumProvident Corp.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, Honolulu, Hawaii, May 2003. Disabled lawyer sued insurers for breach of contract and bad faith after his benefits were denied following disabling mental illness. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-Counsel - John O’Neil, Wailuku Maui , Hawaii .

Jakway v. UnumProvident and Paul Revere Life Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, C.D. California, January 2003.  Disabled hospital administrator sued when disability insurer arbitrarily terminated benefits.  Confidential Settlement.  Co-counsel - Tom Curtis, Pasadena, CA.

Superior Hardwoods, Inc. v. Travelers Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - Breach of contract and bad faith action against casualty carrier following fire loss. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Gerry Grimes, Sequim, WA.

Leak v. Unum Life Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, S.D. California, April 2004. Disable electrical worker injured in rock slide on Mt. Rainier sued when disability insurer arbitrarily terminated benefits. Confidential Settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Howard Bennett Hellen, Vista, CA.

McCaa v. Massachusetts Mutual,
Confidential Settlement - Carson City, Nevada, 2004, Insured sued for bad faith after Mass Mutual arbitrarily denied benefits under own-occupation disability policy. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - James Wilson, Carson City, NV.

Goetzfried v. Farmers Insurance,
iConfidential Settlement - Maricopa County Superior Court, Phoenix AZ, 2000. Insured sued for bad faith over handling of claim following fire. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Steve Gruenemeier, Phoenix, AZ.

Prabucki v. UnumProvident,
Confidential Settlement - Western District of Washington, 2001. Insured sued for bad faith arising out of termination of benefits under disability insurance policy. Confidential settlement.

Sanders v. American Mutual, et al.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, Nevada. Insured sued for bad faith arising out of denial of benefits under individual own occupation policy. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Julie Mersch, Las Vegas, NV.

Sanders v. Paul Revere Life Ins. Co., et al.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, Nevada. 1/2002. Insured sued for bad faith arising out of termination of benefits under own occupation disability insurance policy. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Julie Mersch, Las Vegas, NV.

Johnson et al. v. Central States of Omaha Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - U.S. District Court, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Multiple insureds sued for bad faith claims handling arising out of denial of benefits under cancer insurance policies. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Mike Abourezk, Rapid City, SD.

Lucas v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Ins. Co.,
Confidential Settlement - 4th Judicial District, Idaho, 1999. Insured sued for bad faith denial of medical payment coverage benefits. Confidential Settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Jim Harris, Boise, ID and Dale McGarvey, Kalispell, MT.

Duffey v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company,
Confidential Settlement - Superior Court Alaska Fourth Judicial District. 5/1999. Insured sued for bad faith denial of medical payment coverage benefits. Confidential settlement. FR's Co-counsel - Chris Bataille, Fairbanks, AK. Duffey's story was featured on Dateline NBC in Paper Chase Part I broadcast June 23, 2000 and Paper Chase Part II broadcast July 25, 2000. Click here for a 5 minute video clip from the Dateline broadcast.

Martin v. Lauk,
$3,087,000 verdict for traumatic brain injury - Jefferson County, Golden, Colorado, October 20, 2009.  Rear-end collision left client with a "mild" traumatic brain injury (TBI) that deprived him of the ability to operate truck dispatching business.  The $3.1 Million verdict was reported to be the largest personal injury verdict ever in Jefferson County, Colorado.  FR's Co-counsel - Rich Kaudy, Denver, CO.  For more details, click here to go to our news page.

Mills v. Van Buren Public Schools,
$4,000,000 verdict for death of child - Circuit Court, Wayne County (Detroit) Michigan, September 28, 2006. Five-year-old Mikel Mills was fatally injured when he was hit, dragged and eventually run over by a school bus owned by Van Buren Public Schools. Plaintiff parents, aunt and grandmother sought damages under the Wrongful Death Act and otherwise, including damages for the boy's conscious pain and suffering. The aunt and grandmother had separate claims for negligent infliction of emotional distress. FR's Co-counsel - Paul Zebrowski, Shelby Township, MI.

Schwartz v. F/V The Arctic Orion,
$6,750,000 for injury to fisherman - U.S. Dist. Ct., D. Alaska, Feb. 15, 1994. Crew member inadvertently engages crabbing equipment resulting in skull fracture to crewmate. After the trial court granted partial summary judgment to plaintiff, the parties structured a settlement.

Lutes v. Rotschy, Inc.,
$700,000 for woman with mild traumatic brain injury - Clark County Superior Court, Vancouver, Washington, January 12, 2007. Woman involved car accident experienced personality changes and loss of concentration. It was later determined that she had suffered a closed-head, mild traumatic brain injury from the automobile accident.

Estate of Stokes v. Alaska Airlines,
Francisco, California. Wrongful death on behalf of relatives of woman killed in crash of Alaska Air Flight 261. Confidential Settlement.

Estate of Cork v. Peninsula Airways
US District Court, Alaska. Wrongful Death on behalf of survivors of man killed in plane crash. Confidential Settlement.

Ronning & Solvik v. American Seafood, Inc.,
$1.4 million jury verdict for two seamen, one with shattered knee, one with shattered ankle.

Logan v. Laidlaw,
Eight year old girl hit by car while crossing street to reach school bus stop. Serious, permanent brain injuries. Confidential settlement.

Murray v. UNOCAL,
Oil worker fell from platform and sustained paraplegic injuries. Confidential settlement.

Dodson v. Morgan Stanley,
$750,000 settlement for gender discrimination - U.S. District Court, Seattle, Washington (2007). Woman who had worked as a Financial Advisor for Morgan Stanley from 1996 to 2005 filed suit in 2006 alleging that she was denied a lucrative joint production agreement with a senior advisor when the partnership was given to a less experienced and less qualified male broker in the office.  For more details, see our News page.  Ken Friedman of Friedman | Rubin and Terry Venneberg represented Ms. Dodson.

Rollins v. King County Metro Transit,
$250,000 verdict for victims of beating on bus - Superior Court, Seattle, Washington (2007). Bus driver allowed rowdy group to board bus and ignored subsequent attack on young couple.   For more details, see our News page.  Ken Friedman of Friedman | Rubin represented Ms. Rollins.

EEOC v. National Education Association,
$750,000 settlement against National Education Association (NEA) and National Education Association-Alaska (NEA-AK) - U.S. District Court, Anchorage, Alaska (2006). Three former employees of NEA Alaska sued for gender discrimination following repeated harassing and abusive behavior by their supervisor at the teacher’s union state offices. This case is reported at 422 F.3d 840 (9th Cir.2005) As the Ninth Circuit noted, the record in the case revealed “numerous episodes of [the supervisor] shouting in a loud and hostile manner at female employees. The shouting was frequent, profane and often public.” In addition to the “shouting” and “yelling” described by the appellate court, it was recognized that the supervisor’s “verbal conduct also had a hostile physical accompaniment.” Ken Friedman of Friedman | Rubin and Terry Venneberg represented the individual plaintiffs. Carmen Flores and Jennifer Goldstein represented the EEOC.

C.H. and R.H. v. Professional Guardian Services Corporation,
$610,000 for breach of fiduciary duty - Superior Court, Bethel, Alaska, 2007.  Minors' assets under protection of a professional conservator were squandered by children's grandmother.  PGSC failed to take control of funds, failed to file an inventory of the children's assets within 90 days as required by Alaska law, or file the required annual reports. Plaintiffs argued that PGSC's failure to realize that the bank accounts were not protected, together with other violations of its fiduciary duties, amounted to a gross deviation from its obligations to the children and thus justified economic, non-economic, and punitive damages. PGSC filed a third party complaint against First National Bank, which contributed to the settlement.  FR's co-counsel - Chris Schleuss, Anchorage, Alaska.
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Chavez v. El Dorado Stone,
$475,000 for sexual harassment of female worker - U.S. District Court, Seattle, Washington, Dec. 20, 2004. Company failed to prevent one of its supervisors in its Washington plant from sexually harassing two female employees and then fired four other employees of both genders in retaliation when they complained about the harassment. The harassment was both verbal and physical, culminating in an alleged attempted sexual assault on one of the women. FR's Co-Counsel - Terry Venneberg, Bremerton, Washington.

Mulock v. City of Kodiak,
$950,000 jury verdict for wrongful termination of city police officer.

Luse v. Ketchikan Gateway Borough,
US District Court, Anchorage, Alaska, 4/1998. Jury verdict of $526,000 compensatory damages in wrongful termination case. FR's Co-counsel - Elizabeth Dronkert, Bainbridge Island, WA.

Jones v. ERA Aviation,
Superior Court, Anchorage AK, 10/1998. Defamation case against former employer, $415,000 compensatory, $750,000 Punitive. Settled for confidential amount.

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation v. Salvucci,
Former state employee brought action against state employer alleging breach of contract and Whistleblower Act violations. Employee was awarded $43,200 in lost past wages and benefits, $144,234 in lost future wages and benefits, $500,000 in punitive damages and $62,493.30 in prejudgment interest. On appeal, 950 P.2d 1116 (Alaska 1997), court held that: (1) employer breached its employment contract with employee; (2) Whistleblower Act protects public employee who submits written report of matter of public concern to his own employer; (3) Whistleblower Act does not authorize award of punitive damages against state or its instrumentalities; and (4) remand was required for recalculation of prejudgment interest.

Rink v. Norton Sound Economic Development Corp.,
Superior Court, Anchorage, Alaska, 9/2001. Jury verdict in defamation case. $400,000 judgment. FR's Co-counsel - Terry Venneberg, Bremerton, WA.

Sizemore v. U.S. News & World Report,
Defamation action on behalf of former Naval serviceman, claiming defamation from magazine article about PTSD. After two years of litigation, confidential monetary settlement and prominent apology published world-wide in all U.S. News affiliated publications.

Doe v. Port of Seattle,
confidential settlement in civil rights action where woman was violently arrested by police without justification, shoulder injuries, emotional distress.




 *Disclaimer: Many of the judgments entered were larger than the verdicts, due to the addition of statutory interest, attorney fees and/or costs. Many of the verdicts were either reduced on appeal, or settled for amounts less than the judgment. These cases and results are a sampling of results achieved. This does not constitute a promise, guarantee or warranty of any kind. Results differ from case to case.