Goldie C. Prinz v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, et al.
Published: Nov. 9, 1996 | Result Date: Aug. 9, 1996 | Filing Date: Jan. 1, 1900 |Case number: V00842533 – $0
Judge
Court
Alameda Superior
Attorneys
Plaintiff
Paul N. "Pete" McCloskey
(Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP)
Defendant
Experts
Plaintiff
Paige K. Proctor
(technical)
Defendant
Thomas K. MacDonald
(technical)
Facts
Plaintiff Goldie Prinz, a 54-year-old woman, became a full time agent with defendant Farmer's Insurance Exchange in 1983. Pursuant to the agent appointment agreement, she was required to follow underwriting rules and procedures, promptly remit funds, comply with normal good business practices and conform to all state and federal laws relevant to the sale of insurance policies. The defendants claimed the plaintiff failed to comply with her administrative duties, provoking complaints from defendant Farmer's customers and the Department of Insurance. Farmers claimed that in spite of multiple warnings over a period of several years and numerous attempts to help the plaintiff improve her agency, the plaintiff refused to acknowledge any deficiencies in her performance and ultimately resigned rather than agree to bring her performance in line with what was expected of Farmer's agents. The plaintiff's complaint originally included 11 separate causes of action, including discrimination and sexual harassment. The court granted summary adjudication for the defendants as to all claims except breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing and interference with prospective economic advantage.
Settlement Discussions
The plaintiff made no settlement demand, but indicated she would accept a settlement in the range of $300,000. The defendants made a C.C.P. º998 offer of compromise for $10,000.
Specials in Evidence
$300,000 $1.5 million
Damages
The plaintiff claimed in excess of $1.5 million in damages.
Other Information
The verdict was reached approximately two years and two months after the case was filed. A settlement conference was held on July 23, 1996 before Judge Mark Eaton. It did not resolve the matter.
Deliberation
9 hours
Poll
11-0-1
Length
22 days
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