In his weekly radio address last week, Mississippi Senator TrentLott stressed the importance of the Broussard v. State Farm verdictand expressed hopes for a settlement. He also announced that he hascommissioned a study to look at developing a national catastrophefund.

The Broussard verdict found that evidence was inconclusive interms of determining damages caused by flooding and damages due towind. It granted the plaintiffs more than $220,000 due from theirinsurance policy, and also awarded $2.5 million in punitivedamages.

"This is a very important verdict," said Sen. Lott, in his radioaddress. "It's one I hope will help lead toward a more reasonableoutcome with regards to the insurance industry. It's one of if notthe biggest problems we face now in South Mississippi. I hope thisdecision is interpreted properly, and it will lead to a globalsettlement that will provide the kind of assistance the people inSouth Mississippi are entitled to."