Another Punitive Damages Verdict Against UnumProvident
A Nevada jury has returned yet another bad faith disability verdict against Unum and Paul Revere in the amount of $60 million. In the same case, Merrick v. Paul Revere, a prior jury had returned a verdict of $11.65 million, but Unum appealed and a new trial was ordered based upon certain legal errors. The second trial focused upon the proper punishment for Unum and Paul Revere, based upon their longstanding scheme to improperly deny and terminate legitimate disability claims.
The jury in both trials heard evidence regarding the unethical practices of Provident Life and Accident Insurance Company that were merged into and became a part of Unum and Paul Revere. Stopping these practices is part of the relief sought in the disability class action commenced and being pursued by Quadrino Schwartz against Unum, Paul Revere, and Provident. The case was certified as a class action by a federal court in Tennessee in September, 2007 and is currently on appeal in a federal appeals court in Cinncinnati. For more information on the Quadrino Schwartz class action, visit our minisite at: http://unumprovidentclassaction.net
Several States, such as Arizona, Nevada, California, Pennsylvania, Florida, New Mexico, Montana and Vermont have viable “bad faith” laws or legal precedent that will allow a claimant to sue in court for additional financial damages, such as punitive damages. Quadrino Schwartz prosecutes bad faith cases long term disability cases in all States in which these damages can be sought. For more information, visit: http://www.disabilityinsurancelawyers.com/practice_areas/more/bad-faith-lawsuits
