Dallas Fort Worth Insurance Lawyer Blog

Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)

September 25, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

ERISA has it’s own set of rules and regulations and is unlike normal insurance that is governed by State laws and the Texas Department of Insurance.

Here is a 2019, opinion from the Eastern District of Texas, Sherman Division, that deals with ERISA and a claim for Long Term Disability (LTD) benefits. The opinion is styled, Xien Huang Napodano v. Ericsson Inc. Short Term Disability Plan.

On August 22, 2017, Napodano resigned from his job by leaving a note on the desk of his boss and a few days later applied for LTD benefits. He was informed that he had to first apply for Short Term Disability (STD) benefits first, before being eligible for LTD benefits. He then filed for STD benefits.

Delay In Paying A Claim

September 22, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

When an insurance company delays in paying a claim, the claimant may be entitled to relief under the Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act.

The Texas Prompt Payment of Claims Act, Section 542.060 provides that

(1) if an insurer that is liable for a claim under an insurance policy is not in compliance with this subchapter, the insurer is liable to pay the holder of the policy or the beneficiary making the claim under the policy, in addition to the amount of the claim, interest on the amount of the claim at the rate of 18 percent a year as damages, together with reasonable attorney’s fees

Statute Of Limitations

September 21, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

Here is a case where the statute of limitations defense by the insurer did not work. The case is from the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division. It is styled, Arcelia Flores, et al v. Allstate Texas Lloyds.

Allstate filed a Motion for Summary Judgement based on the statute of limitations having expired before the lawsuit was filed.

The lawsuit filed by Flores arises out of alleged storm damage that occurred in August 2015. The claim was filed on January 25, 2016. Allstate evaluated the claim and sent a denial letter to Flores on January 28, 2016. Flores filed this lawsuit on August 16, 2017. Flores elected to effectuate service privately but did not serve Allstate with the summons and citation. On February 8, 2018, Flores filed an amended petition and then on February 12, 2018, Allstate was served for the first time with the amended petition. Allstate filed its answer to the first amended petition on November 26, 2018. Allstate filed its Motion for Summary Judgement on June 3, 2019, based on the affirmative defense of statute of limitations.

Allegations Of Insurance Company Fraud

September 18, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

When suing an insurance company for insurance fraud, especially in Federal Court, the insured needs to plead with specificity. This is illustrated in a 2019, opinion from the Southern District of Texas, Laredo Division. The opinion is styled, Salvador Aviles v. Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company.

Aviles had a homeowners policy with Allstate when he sustained severe wind and/or hailstorm damage. A disagreement arose as to the extent and amount of damages.

Aviles filed suit in State Court alleging fraud under the Texas Insurance Code, among other causes of action. Allstate removed the case to Federal Court and thereafter filed a motion for partial dismissal of the fraud claims citing Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, 12(b)(6) and Rule 9(b).

Who Is Engaged In The Business Of Insurance?

September 15, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

The answer to the titled questions is partially addressed in a 2019 opinion from the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi. The opinion is styled, MJ & JJ, LLC; dba Peacock Manor Apartments v. Clear Blue Specialty Insurance Company, et al.

After sustaining hurricane damage, Peacock sued Clear Blue, Madsen, Kneppers & Associates (MKA), Hylton Cruickshank, and Charles Jendrusch in State Court. Clear Blue removed the case to this Court based on diversity jurisdiction. Then they contend Cruickshand and Jendrusch should be dismissed. Peacock file a motion to remand.

The parties agree Cruickshank and Jendrusch are not diverse, but the MKA defendants contend they were improperly joined, thus, removal to Federal Court was proper.

Limitations Period In Insurance Contract

September 14, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

Insurance lawyers and anybody who has an insurance policy needs to know what the limitations period is in the insurance policy. This is illustrated in the 2019, 5th Circuit Court of Appeals opinion styled, Lillian Smith v. Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America.

Lillian sued Travelers for contractual and statutory violations that arose out of the denial of her commercial property claim for benefits. Here are the facts.

Smith agrees that Travelers sent her an unambiguous letter, denying her claim for benefits. She however, insists that her causes of action did not accrue until nine months later (rather than the date of the denial) because Travelers had agreed upon her request, to re-investigate her claim for damages. After a re-investigation, Travelers affirmed they were standing by their original denial of the claim.

Articulating The Wrongs Against An Insurance Adjuster

September 11, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

As stated before, the insurance companies prefer to litigate cases in Federal Court. One of the ways to stay out of Federal Court when suing the adjuster for an insurance company is to clearly articulate the wrongs that the insurance adjuster committed. This is illustrated in a 2019, opinion from the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. The case is styled, David Williams v. Allstate Vehicle And Property Insurance Company.

Williams filed suit against Allstate and Allstate’s adjuster, Murray McKay, alleging that McKay violated various sections of the Texas Insurance Code when adjusting Williams claim for storm damage to his home. Allstate removed the lawsuit to Federal Court pursuant to 28 U.S.C., Section 1441(b), alleging that McKay had been improperly joined in the lawsuit, thus, the requirements of diversity were satisfied. Williams sought a remand to the State Court based on 28 U.S.C., Section 1447(c).

The Federal Court conducts a Rule 12(b)(6) type analysis to determine whether a plaintiff has failed to state a claim against a nondiverse defendant, in this case, the defendant being McKay.

Personal Protection Benefits – Occupying A Vehicle

September 8, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

When it comes to claims dealing with automobile policies, here is a case that needs to be read. It is a 2019, opinion from the Texarkana Court of Appeals and is styled, Alan Kiely v. Texas Farm Bureau Casualty Insurance Company.

Kiely sued Farm Bureau in an effort to recover Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits that had been denied. Summary Judgement was granted in favor of Farm Bureau and this is Kiely’s appeal from that ruling. This Court sustained the ruling in favor of Farm Bureau.

The PIP policy at issue provided coverage up to $10,000 per person for each accident. Texas Insurance Code, Section 1952.151, states PIP requires payment of all reasonable expenses that: (1) arise from an accident; ….

Giving Prompt Notice Of Claims

September 7, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

Insurance lawyers know that almost all insurance policies require that an insured provide to the insurance company, prompt notice of a claim. The purpose of this prompt notice requirement is to allow the insurance company to investigate the claim while the facts of the claim are fresh. However, if the insured fails to provide this prompt notice, the insurer is required to show that it was prejudiced or harmed by the insured’s failure to provide the prompt notice. Here is a case discussing that issue.

The case is from the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and is styled, Blanco Properties, L.L.C. v. Arch Specialty Insurance Company.

Blanco owed commercial property insured by Arch. Blanco’s owner did not discover April 2016, hail damage until October 2017 and did not file a claim until November 2017. The claim was denied due to the policy containing a specific endorsement that explicitly required hail related claims to be brought within one year. The District Court granted summary judgement in favor of Arch and this Court affirmed that judgment.

Insurance Valuation Cases And Experts

September 4, 2019 | Mark S. Humphreys

Claims involving property losses usually do not require expert testimony. But, if they do require expert testimony, it is important for an insurance lawyer to know how present the expert. This is illustrated in the 2019, opinion from the Southern District of Texas, Corpus Christi Division, styled, Mt Hawley Insurance Company v. TFP Properties III LLC.

Mt. Hawley filed this lawsuit against TFP asserting it had paid all sums owing under the commercial policy at issue. After the lawsuit was filed, Mt. Hawley filed a motion to exclude the testimony of TFP’s property evaluation expert.

The courts are to act as gatekeepers by making preliminary assessment of whether the reasoning or methodology underlying an experts testimony can be properly applied to the facts at issue in the case. Testimony that is based purely on the ipse dixit of the expert is not allowed. The court’s determination regarding the admissibility of the expert evidence is subject to an abuse of discretion standard.