Ariz. Court Finds No Basis for Punitive Damages Claim against Insurer

PHOENIX - A federal judge has ruled that a church suing its insurer over a water damage claim provided no basis for its demand for punitive damages and the court awarded partial summary judgment to the insurance carrier on that cause of action. Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church v. Church Mutual Insurance Co., No. CIV-04-1700 (D. Ariz.).

Judge Stephen M. McNamee of the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona said in his March 5 order that Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church failed to show by clear and convincing evidence that Church Mutual Insurance Co. 'acted with the requisite …