United Automobile Insurance Company says it was denied a fair trial after a negative bad-faith verdict resulted in a $6.8 million judgment against the company.
The case in question revolves around an auto accident in which Judge Steven D. Levine and a passenger were killed by a driver insured by United Auto. According to the company, it immediately tendered the limits of its policy to the estates of Judge Levine (Levine Estate) and Lourdes Maldonado, and later exceeded its policy limits by paying more than what it was required to pay to protect its insured, Jose Hernandez.
According to United Auto, in February of 2002, it sent a check in the amount of $10,000 accompanied by a release form to Bob Brown, the Levine Estate's attorney. Three months later, the uncashed check was sent back without explanation. When contacted by the insurer, the law firm representing the Levine Estate allegedly declared the payment insufficient and made vague threats implying litigation.
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