Courtroom Victories Against State Farm

Chad T. Wilson recently sat down with Roofing Insights to discuss his firm’s recent legal victories against State Farm. Watch the full interview below. You can also read about the State Farm cases here and here.

Chad T. Wilson Courtroom Victories Against State Farm:

Victory: Texas Jury Awards Damages To State Farm Policyholder Over Unfair And Deceptive Practices

In March this year, the Texas Supreme Court published its landmark opinion on another Chad T. Wilson Law Firm case – again, a client insured by State Farm, Luis Hinijos.  This was a huge win for all policyholders in Texas because it stopped all insurance companies from utilizing a carrier-created loophole to circumvent Texas law.  Here’s the typical scenario. An insured has a covered loss and notifies their insurance company.  The company would accept the claim and pay pennies on the dollar of the damages. The insured would complain but the carrier would not budge far from its initial position. The insured would then sue and the carrier, State Farm being the worst culprit, would run up litigation expenses. Appraisal of the damages would be invoked to set the cost to repair; the carrier would send a check for the appraisal award less the depreciation less the deductible less prior payments if any. The carrier would run back to the court and ask for summary judgment claiming “no harm, no foul judge” – and they were getting away with it. This left insureds economically upside down on their cases. The Chad T. Wilson Law Firm took Mr. Hinojos’s case to the Texas Supreme Court to stop this trend in its tracks. The Court agreed stating that an insurer is not absolved of its statutory liability when it pays only part of a claim within the statutory deadline set forth in the statute. An insurer that fails to pay all amounts that “must be paid” under the applicable policy will be liable for interest and attorney’s fees. On the street, this means if an appraisal award comes back higher than the insurance company’s initial estimate of damages, they owe the difference plus interest plus attorney fees and they are still on the hook for damages for violations of the Texas Insurance Code and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act. 

Unanimous Jury Verdict in Tarrant County for CTWLF Client: Jury found State Farm knowingly violated the Texas Insurance Code Jury awarded Plaintiff damages equivalent to seven times his property damage 

After the trial concluded, jurors stated they were disappointed with how State Farm handled Aaron’s claim, how State Farm ‘covered up’ the first adjuster’s haphazard inspection, and were deeply troubled that it took three years and a trial for State Farm to admit they made a mistake; it obvious to the jury that State Farm’s admission was only for damage control, there was no remorse.  This jury was made up of Tarrant County citizens, a jurisdiction typically known as a tough venue for Plaintiffs.  Not only did this jury see Defendant State Farm’s actions were wrong, they returned a unanimous verdict that left no doubt how wrong State Farm was in this case.

Has your claim been denied?

The Chad T. Wilson Law Firm handles insurance property disputes and takes on tough, serious cases against some of the largest corporations in America. With a proven track record of getting things done, Chad T. Wilson is fighting for courtroom victories against State Farm and other major insurance carriers. If your homeowner’s insurance claim has been denied, delayed or, underpaid, call us. We have represented thousands of homeowners against insurance companies, big and small. As a contingency-based law firm, our expert insurance claims attorneys aggressively fight for the rights of the policyholder. Free consultation. No recovery equals no fee. Contact us today.

Jury found State Farm knowingly violated the Texas Insurance Code

Euless, Texas is a small town tucked between Fort Worth and Dallas. As part of Tarrant County, Euless has had its share of severe weather events. Chad T. Wilson Law Firm client Aaron P. endured a windstorm in the spring of 2018.  Typical of many property owners who sustain storm damage, he remembered the storm but didn’t notice water coming into his home until heavy rains doused the area a few months later.

Frantic at the sight of the water intrusion, Aaron called his State Farm agent to report the loss.  His agent’s initial response was to tell Aaron he had no claim – no attempt to send anyone out to inspect.  The client went to Home Depot, bought a tarp, and covered one of the roof areas he believed water was coming in.  He called his State Farm agent again and insisted his home needed to be looked at.  This time, the agent’s rep assured him “not to worry,” and they’d have an inspector out in a week to inspect…  all the while water was dripping from his ceiling in several different locations.

According to our client, State Farm’s adjuster came in and immediately responded with weird explanations of what the water damage was that our client was pointing out.  Our client knew from the get-go that this State Farm adjuster was not there to help him.  After a myriad of false explanations of the water spots, the adjuster spent a few minutes on the roof then left without saying a word.  Our client received a letter from State Farm a few days later that stated his damages were $0.  The letter also stated that State Farm found other damages to the client’s home, like vermin damage, insect damage, bird damage, latent defect damage et al., none of which was noted in State Farm’s claim file, nor did it exist at the property.

Our client cried foul to State Farm, and State Farm sent two different adjusters to a second inspection.  These two found windstorm damage but kept the amount of damage to $550 and below the deductible.  Thereafter, our client came to us for help.  State Farm sent a third adjuster before a lawsuit was filed. Ultimately, State Farm or its attorneys redacted all traces of this adjuster’s findings in the file provided to us without a justification for those omissions.

State Farm would eventually assign a litigation expert to inspect the 60-year-old home. This litigation ‘expert’ now cited a litany of non-covered damage, citing soot, candles, defective gas appliances, rodents, termites, foundation issues, “reflections off the carpet,” wear, tear, “weather events,” roof nail pops, mistakes on the part of the adjusters, and even soda on the ceiling.  State Farm’s litigation experts were particularly disingenuous about their findings.

After a contentious three-year legal battle, trial attorneys Chad T. Wilson and Amanda Fulton faced State Farm’s legal team in a Tarrant County courtroom. Through fact and expert witness testimony, methodical direct examination, and oftentimes eviscerating cross-examination, Mr. Wilson and Ms. Fulton relayed Aaron’s story and his mistreatment by his longtime insurer to the jury. Ironically, Aaron chose State Farm as his insurer because his family had been with State Farm for decades. When it came time to buy his first home in 2002, the decision was easy for him, and he went with State Farm. Little did he know how worthless State Farm’s promise to be there when he needed it most really was.

After two and a half days, the jury was sent to deliberate at 2:15 PM on September 17, 2021.  They returned two hours and ten minutes later with a unanimous verdict in Plaintiff’s favor citing State Farm was liable on all counts and providing damages on each of those counts.  The jury awarded over $24,000 in property damages that State Farm failed to pay.  The jury also hit State Farm with various punitive damages for violations of the Texas Insurance Code and unconscionable acts.  In addition, the jury found that State Farm knowingly conducted these bad acts and knowingly violated the insurance code.  The jurors ended up awarding Aaron more than seven times the estimated amount required to repair his home.

After the trial concluded, jurors stated they were disappointed with how State Farm handled Aaron’s claim, how State Farm ‘covered up’ the first adjuster’s haphazard inspection, and were deeply troubled that it took three years and a trial for State Farm to admit they made a mistake; it obvious to the jury that State Farm’s admission was only for damage control, there was no remorse.  This jury was made up of Tarrant County citizens, a jurisdiction typically known as a tough venue for Plaintiffs.  Not only did this jury see Defendant State Farm’s actions were wrong, they returned a unanimous verdict that left no doubt how wrong State Farm was in this case.

If your homeowner’s insurance claim has been denied, delayed or, underpaid, call us. We have represented thousands of homeowners against insurance companies, big and small. As a contingency-based law firm, our expert insurance claims attorneys aggressively fight for the rights of the policyholder. Free consultation. No recovery equals no fee. Contact us today.

Houston Man Sues Geovera Insurance for Fraud

Our client recently filed a lawsuit against Geovera Specialty Insurance Company and its adjuster. The man’s home was seriously damaged in a thunderstorm that bombarded Harris County, Texas in August 2015. According to Plaintiff’s original petition, Geovera and its adjuster conducted a substandard and improper inspection of our client’s property, grossly undervaluing the cost of repairs and deliberately yielding an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage.

August 11, 2015 Storm

On August 11, 2015, a severe wind- and hailstorm tore through Houston, leaving a trail of damaged homes and lives. Our client’s house suffered severe damage to the roof and exterior, as well as several windows. After the storm, he quickly submitted a claim to Geovera, hoping his insurance company would help him get his life back in order.

Geovera Specialty Insurance Company Home Insurance Claim

Geovera assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. Allegedly, the adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing full coverage and estimating damages to total about $1,500. After the deductible, this left our client with no recovery to make repairs to his home.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s inspection found a litany of damages that were either conveniently absent or undervalued in Geovera’s estimate.

The damage to our client’s property is currently estimated at $26,600.

As stated in the petition, Geovera’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our client’s claims in order to maintain his job. He misrepresented the amount of damage hoping our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Our client could not complete any repairs to his home, resulting in even more damage. Grover’s claims handling process forced him to retain an attorney to pursue his claim for insurance benefits. On November 2, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Geovera Specialty Insurance Company for fraud, breach of contract, and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, then we can help. The experienced attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies. Our property insurance lawyers aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Dallas Apartment Complex Sues Scottsdale Insurance Company for Incompetence

Our client, an apartment complex, was recently forced to file a lawsuit against Scottsdale Insurance Company and its adjusters. The complex suffered extensive damages when a severe storm passed through Dallas, Texas in March 2013. After the hail had passed, our client found themselves in a storm of Scottsdale’s fraud and deceit.

March 9, 2013 Storm

On March 9, 2013, a severe wind and hailstorm bombarded Dallas County, Texas, tearing through neighborhoods and destroying homes as it went. Our client became one of the storm’s many victims when every roof in the complex was damaged. After the storm, the complex submitted a claim to Scottsdale, hoping it would help take care of its residents’ homes.

Scottsdale Insurance Company Property Insurance Claim

Scottsdale hired Wardlaw Claims Service LLC, which then assigned an agent to adjust the claim. The adjusters estimated the damages to be around $240,000 and authorized the replacement of all nine of the property’s roofs.

But, when it came time to apply the deductible, Scottsdale got caught double dipping. According to the complex’s policy, the deductible for the claim would be $57,572. According to the adjusters, who either negligently or deliberately misconstrued the policy, the deductible would be $25,000 per building, for a $225,000 total deductible.

Because of Wardlaw’s and its agent’s incompetence, our client was paid only 16 percent of what they were owed.

Due to Scottsdale’s fraud, our client was unable to complete any meaningful repairs to the apartment buildings. They were forced to retain an attorney to pursue their claim for insurance benefits. On August 18, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Scottsdale Insurance Company and Wardlaw Claims Service LLC for fraud, breach of contract, negligence, gross negligence and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies and aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders throughout Texas. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Woman Sues Travelers Lloyds for Undervaluing Tornado Damage

Our client, a woman whose home was damaged when a tornado passed through Rowlett, Texas,  was forced to file a lawsuit against Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company and its adjuster after they conducted a substandard and improper inspection of our client’s property, grossly undervaluing the cost of repairs and deliberately yielding an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage.

December 26, 2015 Tornado

On December 26, 2015, a severe tornado ripped through Rockwall County, Texas, leaving in its wake a path of desolation and destruction. Instead of celebrating the holidays, our client was scrambling to pick up the pieces of her broken home. Her home suffered severe damage to the roof, exterior and garage, among other damages. After the storm, the woman quickly submitted a claim to Travelers, hoping her insurance company would help her get her life back in order.

Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company Home Insurance Claim

Travelers assigned one of its adjusters to inspect the property and adjust the claim. The adjuster knowingly conducted a subpar investigation, refusing full coverage and estimating damages to total about $24,000, leaving our client with only $11,500 to repair her entire home after subtracting the deductible.

The third-party expert hired after the insurance company’s deceptive inspection mostly found the same damages as Travelers’s adjuster, but the costs of repair were significantly higher than the adjuster’s low-balled estimates. When Travelers’s adjuster estimated the roof repairs would cost $4,400, the expert estimated nearly $7,000. Where the adjuster found damage to the front exterior of her home, the expert estimated damage five times greater, as well as more than $5,000 in damages to the other three sides of the property.

The damage to our client’s property is currently estimated at $59,650.

Travelers’s adjuster intentionally undervalued our client’s claims in order to maintain his job, misrepresenting the amount of damage in the hopes that our client would simply rely on his expertise and fraudulent estimate as a true representation of the property’s damages.

Because of Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company’s fraud, our client was unable to complete any meaningful repairs to her home, which resulted in even more damage. She was forced to retain an attorney to pursue her claim for insurance benefits. On September 13, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit, on behalf of our client, against Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company for fraud, breach of contract, and violations of the Texas Insurance Code and the Texas DTPA.

Texas Property Insurance Lawyers

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies and aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.

Geovera Plays Games; Homeowners Not Amused

In early May, 2015, hailstorms and thunderstorms ripped through southeastern Texas, leaving behind destroyed homes and damaged lives in their wake. Our clients, a couple in Harris County, Texas, and their home were no exception. Geovera Insurance denied our client’s damage claims.

After the hailstorm, they immediately filed a claim with their homeowner’s insurance company, Geovera, asking them to pay for the damages so that they could make repairs and start getting their lives back in order.

Geovera hired an adjuster to inspect our clients’ home and assess the damage. The inspector found that there were no covered damages to our clients’ home, therefore denying their claim and leaving them with no recovery to make repairs to their home.

So, our clients hired a public adjuster, who conducted an unbiased inspection and found a litany of damages that Geovera’s adjuster had left off, resulting in more than $13,500 worth of damages to the home. Seeing that they were owed much more than Geovera suggested, the clients promptly sought out the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm to help them obtain the recovery they had, essentially, already paid for through the purchase of their insurance policy.

On Tuesday, July 26, 2016, the Chad T. Wilson Law Firm filed suit against Geovera insurance company in Harris County, Texas for fraud, breach of contract, violations of the Texas Insurance Code and Texas DTPA, and wrongfully denying our clients coverage under their policy.

Through its adjuster, Geovera conducted a substandard and improper inspection of the clients’ home, which grossly undervalued the cost of repairs in its estimate and yielded an unrealistic amount to underpay coverage. Geovera unreasonably adjusted our clients’ claim, misrepresenting the cause of, scope of, and cost to repair damages to their property.

Because of Geovera’s misrepresentations, our clients were forced to hire an attorney to file a lawsuit for insurance benefits.

If your homeowner insurance carrier has denied your insurance claim, we can help. The experienced property insurance attorneys at Chad T. Wilson Law Firm have represented more than 1,000 clients in cases against insurance companies and aggressively protect the rights of insurance policyholders. Our consultations are free, and you owe us nothing until your case is won. Contact us today to see how we can help.