$20 Million Verdict Against Allstate for Bad Faith

Scott Smith

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An Indiana jury determined Allstate Insurance Company committed bad faith in failing to pay a man for losses due to injuries and damage to his car following a car crash and awarded the man $20 Million. The jury decided Ted Fields was in bad hands after applying for property damage and medical benefits under his Allstate policy following a car crash.

Fields, age 50, who is now a retired steelworker on disability, suffered spinal injuries in a 1995 car collision. Because Fields paid premiums for insurance coverage, Allstate was to provide compensation for property damage to his vehicle and compensation for Fields personal injury. All Fields wanted was his car fixed from the wreck and his medical bills paid. However, Allstate refused and forced the injured man to file suit against the company for breach of the insurance contract and bad faith. Allstate's actions resulted in Fields suffering additional medical problems including a rise in blood pressure which led to heart problems and a stroke.