Unique Bad Faith Defense Verdict in Florida

Obtained a defense verdict in a bad faith matter in Florida for a major casualty insurance company. The case involved allegations of third-party bad faith claims in connection with the insurer's refusal to tender policy limits without sufficient supporting medical documentation. After the insurer received an initial demand package containing chiropractic treatment records and an MRI report evidencing a traumatic left medial meniscal tear, no additional records were provided to the insurer demonstrating a surgical recommendation, permanent impairment or ongoing treatment.  The insurer made an initial offer and followed-up with a number of requests to plaintiff's counsel for additional records, yet those requests were ignored, and suit was filed. Following a five-day trial, the jury deliberated and concluded that the plaintiff had failed to demonstrate that the insurance company had acted in bad faith in its handling of the plaintiff's claim, and returned a defense verdict in the insurer's favor. The defense verdict represents a unique achievement in Florida where carriers rarely take bad faith cases to trial, and rarely win.