Facts

The home of Shannen Doherty, the former "Beverly Hills, 90210" T.V. star, was severely damaged in the 2018 Woolsey fire. Doherty brought an action against State Farm alleging breach of contract when she was forced to pay repairs out of pocket when State Farm refused to provide coverage under its policy for the damages caused by the Woolsey fire. Throughout proceedings, it was revealed that Doherty was suffering from stage 4 terminal cancer and she alleged that instead of living out her remaining years living peacefully in her house, she was displaced and battling with State Farm.

PLAINTIFF'S CONTENTIONS: Plaintiff contended defendant breached their agreement when defendant failed to pay the insurance policy benefits. Plaintiff contended defendant's failure to pay the insurance policy benefits was unreasonable and without proper cause. Plaintiff contended that defendant's decision not to pay policy benefits was a substantial factor in causing plaintiff emotional harm because she was displaced and busy dealing with defendant instead of living the remaining years of her life peacefully in her home.

DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS: Defendant denied all of the contentions. Defendant contended that plaintiff's plan at trial was to garner sympathy by her contention that defendant must rebuild her entire home because she has cancer.

Result

The jury awarded plaintiff $6,346,000. As part of the total award, the jury found that State Farm owed plaintiff: $1,200,000 under Coverage A of the Policy to remediate the insured property; $660,000 under Coverage B of the Policy to remediate plaintiff's personal property; and $486,000 under Coverage C of the Policy for plaintiff's additional living expenses. The jury also awarded $3,000,000 in emotional distress damages and $1,000,000 in attorneys fees to compel Policy benefits.