Matthew Haynes and Brennan Morrissett obtained a defense verdict on behalf of a mutual insurance company in a Virginia Circuit Court jury trial. The plaintiff/insured filed a 1st party suit against his homeowner’s insurer alleging breach of contract.
Plaintiff sought to recover more than $250,000 in alleged personal property losses and additional living expenses he claimed resulted from a fire that completely destroyed his residence. Plaintiff sought these amounts eighteen months after the fire, and in addition to amounts already paid for his personal property and additional living expenses by his insurer.
After being unable to provide any documentation supporting ownership of the personal property items or the basis of his need for further additional living expenses, coverage was denied and defended on the basis the plaintiff submitted fraudulent personal property inventories and rental reimbursement documentation in addition to failing to comply with conditions precedent to establish policy compliance.
The jury deliberated for approximately 45 minutes before returning a verdict for the insurance company.