Published: February 03, 2011
Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP Obtains $4.2 Million Verdict From Jury in Civil Suit Against Paul Revere Life Insurance Company and UNUM Group
LOS ANGELES - (BUSINESS WIRE) - A Los Angeles Superior Court jury, after just three hours of
deliberation, awarded the plaintiff $4.2 million in damages in her civil
lawsuit against Paul Revere Life Insurance Company and UNUM Group. The
jury found defendants liable for bad faith and for having breached their
insurance disability contract with their insured.
The plaintiff was a dental hygienist in 1988 when she purchased an
individual disability insurance policy from Paul Revere. Beginning in
1996, the plaintiff developed several disabling medical conditions,
including carpal tunnel syndrome and severe cervical pain radiating into
her upper extremities, preventing her from being able to perform the
repetitive motions and fine hand manipulations necessary for cleaning
teeth. She worked though the pain and discomfort for several years but
had to stop working entirely in 1999. Under the terms of her policy, she
qualified for disability benefits for the remainder of her life, even if
she was able to work in some other profession. On March 31, 2008, after
12 years of paying disability benefits, UNUM Group abruptly and
unreasonably terminated the plaintiff's benefits. The plaintiff was
represented by Mark T. Quigley and Ivan Puchalt with the Santa Monica,
CA. law firm of Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP (www.greene-broillet.com).
Jury selection for the trial began on January 10, 2011 before the Hon.
Mary H. Strobel in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Case No. BC 410915.
The plaintiff's attorneys presented evidence that when UNUM Group
terminated benefits on March 31, 2008, they ignored the recommendations
of her treating physician who supported her disability and deliberately
chose not to wait for the results of an MRI test which would have
supported her claim. The trial ultimately exposed UNUM's bad faith
behavior, which included UNUM's misuse of surveillance video, selective
use of independent medical examinations, and the targeting of specific
claims for "resolution."
"The Jury clearly told UNUM Group that if they do not treat their
policyholders fairly, and act in good faith, then they will be held
accountable. Justice was served today," stated attorney Mark T. Quigley.
The verdict consisted of both a compensatory damage award and a punitive
damage award. Attorney Ivan Puchalt added, "Hopefully, UNUM heard the
message sent by the Jury to cease their bad faith conduct. Only time
will tell."
EDITOR'S NOTE:
The plaintiff was represented by Mark Quigley and Ivan Puchalt with the
Santa Monica, CA. law firm of Greene Broillet & Wheeler (www.greene-broillet.com):
Tel: 310-576-1200.
Defendant Paul Revere Life insurance Company and UNUM Group were
represented by Edwin A. Oster, Barger & Wolen, LLP; Tel: 949-757-2800
Greene Broillet & Wheeler, LLP
Audra Philbin
Director of
Marketing
310-576-1200, ext. 215
aphilbin@greene-broillet.com
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