$4 Million Verdict in Arizona Mold-Related Bad Faith Case

PHOENIX - Responding to a Nov. 26 mold-related bad faith verdict, plaintiffs' attorney Steven A. Gruenemeier of Phoenix stated that the $4 million verdict was reasonable, but was still lower than expected. Daniel Hatley, et al. v. Century National Insurance Co., No. CV2000-006713 (Ariz. Super., Maricopa Cty.).

The verdict, awarded to an Arizona family of three for bad faith and punitive damages against home insurer Century National Insurance Co., was issued after nine days in court. Although Gruenemeier observed that the verdict "could have come in higher" given the circumstances of the case, he conceded that it was "fair."

There …