Thompson Coe Obtains Unanimous Defense Verdict

On Friday, September 16, 2016, a twelve person jury returned a unanimous defense verdict in favor State Farm Lloyds in the lawsuit styled Jason Schmerse, et al. v. State Farm Lloyds, 40th Judicial District Court, Ellis County, Texas.

The plaintiff filed suit against State Farm seeking exemplary damages from the insurer for allegedly failing to properly adjust his claim.

In his first amended complaint, the plaintiff accused State Farm of fraud and summarily paying his claim “with obvious knowledge and evidence of serious cosmetic and structural damage.”

After a week-long trial, the jury was asked whether State Farm failed to comply with the insurance policy, to which jurors answered: “No,” according to the charge of the court.

No damages were awarded to Schmerse, nor were any attorney’s fees awarded to Eric Dick, the opposing counsel.

State Farm Lloyds was represented by Rhonda Thompson, Barry Moscowitz, and Adrienne Nelson of Thompson Coe.