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Insurance
Bad Faith
Breach of Contract

Sara Varanand v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.

Published: Feb. 18, 2004 | Result Date: Apr. 4, 2003 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |

Case number: 0000365EFS Verdict –  $0

Judge

Edward E. Shea

Court

USDC Central


Attorneys

Plaintiff

Surjit P. Soni

Daniel Wu


Defendant

Sandra E. Stone
(Pacific Law Partners LLP)

Clarke B. Holland


Experts

Plaintiff

Farhat H. Siddiqi
(technical)

John Kubula
(technical)

Defendant

John Osteraas
(technical)

Andrew Gillespie
(technical)

Facts

Plaintiff Sara Varanand owned a home that was damaged by the Northridge earthquake in 1994. She filed a claim with her insurance company, defendant State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance. Between January and November 1994, the defendant made payments to Varanand that totaled $57,598. In 1997, Varanand sold her home to plaintiff Mokshinder Singh Vahali. Vahali claimed that defendant needed to provide more compensation for damages to the house.

Settlement Discussions

The plaintiffs demanded $900,000; defendant made no offer.

Damages

The plaintiff claimed the repair costs for the all the earthquake damages exceeded $315,000.

Result

Before trial, the defendant won a partial motion for summary adjudication as to Vahali, thus eliminating his claims. The jury found for defendant as to Varanand's claims.

Other Information

Mokshinder Singh Vahali was dismissed on motion for summary judgment.

Deliberation

four hours

Length

eight days


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