AIG Motion for Summary Judgment in Unfair Insurance Practices Case in Connecticut Defeated

SOUTHPORT, Conn., April 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In a case that has spanned almost eight years, the United States District Court for the District Connecticut yesterday denied motions by AIG and its wholly-owned subsidiary National Union Fire Insurance Company for summary judgment against the firm's client, Teri Tucker.  Ms. Tucker obtained a $4.2 million jury verdict in July 2008 and thereafter was forced to sue her former employer's insurers, AIG and National Union Fire Insurance Company, for unfair trade practices among other claims. 

In a 46-page decision, the Court wrote that it is for a jury to decide "whether Defendants engaged in unfair business practices" in violation of Connecticut's Unfair Insurance Practices Act, which sets no limit on punitive damages for violations.  The Court noted that Tucker had advanced at least four other adjudicated cases of claims mishandling by AIG entities, including Acacia Research Corp. v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., Anderson v. American International Group, Inc., United Technologies Corp. v. American Home Assurance, and Victaulic v. American Homes Assurance Co., permitting a reasonable jury to find in her favor.  

Jeff Bagnell, counsel for Ms. Tucker in both the underlying case and the present action against AIG, stated that he is extremely pleased that, after such an extraordinary delay, a jury will finally be able to hear evidence of AIG's claims handling practices in this case.  "A delay of this extreme nature is exactly what many insurance companies hope for when defending against claims, knowing full well its deterrent effect against policyholders and third parties from ever bringing claims in the first place.  I look forward to having a jury decide the facts of this case and securing justice for Teri."  The jury trial is scheduled to begin on June 6, 2016. 

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SOURCE Lucas Bagnell Varga LLC

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