POST-VERDICT RULINGS: Plaintiff’s request to “correct” his verdict for damages incurred by boxes falling from truck to reflect via 9 juror affidavits that jury made “clerical error” in finding $657,000 “total” damages to be reduced by his 35% fault when it intended $657,000 to be the “net” award denied on basis that affidavits not admissible to impeach the verdict… Defendant’s motion to offset SSDI denied as Plaintiff would not be fully compensated in light of 35% fault reduction (1st impression)… pre-judgment interest awarded on $25,000 medicals award even though the stipulated amount was more… Davies. [Read more…]
$427,050 net (65/35) verdict, boxes fall on truck driver
VERDICT: $657,000 gross, $427,050 net (65/35 fault), boxes falling on driver’s head when opening trailer at warehouse store, TBI/post-concussion syndrome. [Read more…]
Insurance, duty to defend defective siding claims
INSURANCE: Seeking declaratory judgment as to duty to defend defective siding claims does not constitute direct or anticipatory repudiation breach of contract but is endorsed by Montana Supreme Court… duty to indemnify for insured’s out-of-pocket settlements brokered without insurer’s consent not plausible breach of contract… plaintiff in underlying State Court suit against siding Defendant not a necessary party to declaratory action under rationale forged by this Court in light of open question in 9th Circuit… Landis stay of declaratory action granted as to on-the-merits determination of whether claims in State Court suit are covered by Policy, denied in all other respects… Christensen. [Read more…]
Well contamination, 3rd-party driller settled/dismissed
WELL CONTAMINATION: Driller of well at bar & grill found to be contaminated with fuel from store/gas station across the street dismissed from store’s 3rd-party claims after settling with bar & grill although not joint tortfeasor but under Deere/Durden rationale… main case settled eve of trial… Berger. [Read more…]
Spoliation, excavator bucket falling on worker in trench
SPOLIATION: First-impression issues in context of settled parties involving excavator bucket falling on worker in trench and inspections without notice to sewer contractor and removal of machinery resolved by finding of negligent — not intentional — spoliation and payment of expenses including attorney fees for contractor to conduct its own inspection… $33,277 awarded of $83,190 requested… Marks. [Read more…]