Court Reassesses Verdict and Orders Take-Nothing Judgment

HOUSTON - A Texas appeals court reduced an $85,864.78 judgment for homeowners to $0 on Feb. 7 after finding that the trial court failed to conform its judgment to a jury verdict that only partially favored the homeowners. Fire Insurance Exchange v. Sullivan, No. 14-04-00081-CV (Texas 14th Ct. App.).

Clifton and Diane Sullivan sued Fire Insurance Exchange in 2002, claiming that FIE was guilty of breach of contract and bad faith in its handling of a claim for water leaks that resulted in mold damage throughout their house.

FIE paid the couple $2,064.75 in July 2001 for repairs to …