Business Torts
Contract And Business Claims
Bellott v. State Farm, $152,000,000 verdict for tortious breach of contract
$152,000,000 verdict for tortious breach of contract — Superior Court, Anchorage, Alaska, March 1999. Insurance agent claimed his independent agency agreement was terminated in retaliation for his refusal to engage in dishonest marketing practices. Jury verdict $2.7 million compensatory, $150 million punitive damages. This award was # 9 in the Top Ten Jury Verdicts of 1999. Settled for a confidential amount. FR’s co-counsel was Pete Ehrhardt, Kenai, AK.
Maytown Sand & Gravel, Inc. and Port of Tacoma v. Thurston County, $12,000,000 verdict for interference with contract to mine gravel
$12,000,000 verdict for interference with contract to mine gravel — Superior Court, Lewis County, WA. 7/16/2014. Gravel mine operators had rug pulled out from under them through arbitrary government action when he county reneged on 20-year special use permit to mine gravel. As a result of delay and legal expense, the mine failed and property reverted to seller, Port of Tacoma. Jury awarded $4 Million for gravel mining firm and $8M for port authority against County. This was the largest land-use verdict in Washington history. FR’s trial counsel, Don Bauermeister. FR’s co-counsel was Jed Powell, Seattle WA. Port was represented by co-counsel Pat Schneider and Steve Gillespie of Seattle.
Geolar v. Gilbert/Commonwealth Inc. of Michigan and Gilbert Associates, $12,000,000 verdict for contractor against administrator
$12,000,000 verdict for contractor against administrator — Alaska June 1995. Two trials and jury verdicts resulting in $950,000 in compensatory damages and $11.5 million in punitive damages for a small contractor claiming abusive contract administration by owner and engineer.
ATWV v. Westward Seafoods, $2,300,000 verdict for breach of contract
$2,300,000 verdict for breach of contract — 11/1995. $2.3 million jury verdict against processor for fisherman claiming breach of contract to accept crab.
Good Taste, Inc. v. United Airlines, $1,500,000 verdict for breach of contract
$1,500,000 verdict for breach of contract — $1.5 million jury verdict for airline caterer claiming breach of contract.
*Disclaimer: Many of the judgments entered were larger than the verdicts, due to the addition of statutory interest, attorney fees and/or costs. Many of the verdicts were either reduced on appeal, or settled for amounts less than the judgment. These cases and results are a sampling of results achieved. This does not constitute a promise, guarantee or warranty of any kind. Results differ from case to case.