In Missouri, landowners and those who possess or control real property owe a duty to invitees, licensees, and – in some limited circumstances – to trespassers to maintain the property free of unreasonably dangerous conditions.
A carrier’s ability “to offer to pay our limit of liability” and to pay a judgment is often complicated by Plaintiff’s counsel’s gamesmanship related to resolution of court costs, prejudgment interest and post judgment interest.
In M.O. vs GEICO General Ins. Co, No. WD 84722 (2022) Missouri’s system of justice came into the world spotlight when the media caught wind of a $5,200,000.00 judgment entered against Geico.
It’s been a busy month of November for Watters Wolf Bub Hansmann! Firm partners sat down with audiences at home and traveled throughout the country to present their best thinking on areas of trial practice that could impact our clients and partners.
RSMo §507.060 offers the carrier the opportunity to interplead policy sums when there are multiple claimants seeking a finite pot. If the carrier interpleads the funds withing 90 days of the first demand, and continues to defend its insured, any exposure for bad faith refusal to settle is negated.
Watters Wolf Bub Hansmann is a boutique law firm located in St. Louis, Missouri that was founded by 6 trial lawyers, with the goal of concentrating in trial work to maximize success for clients.
Save the date for Watters Wolf Bub Hansmann’ first seminar to kick off the opening of the firm at the Marriott St. Louis West, just adjacent to the new firm! This seminar will be followed by a happy hour and raffles for prizes for attendees.
When faced with competing claims for a limited pot of limits, be aware of §507.060.4. The additional defense costs you might incur will be minimal considering the bad faith exposure you are negating.
In property damage policies, an actual cash value(ACV) measure of damages is commonly found in both ACV policies and replacement cost policies. In replacement cost policies, an insured is entitled to an ACV payment before replacement, or even if replacement is not contemplated or complete.