Date: 10-25-2000

Case Style: Bud Beaston v. U.S Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance of Baltimore

Case Number: CJ-98-303

Judge: J.R. Perryman

Court: District Court, Osage County, Oklahoma

Plaintiff's Attorney: Timothy Best and Matthew B. Free of Best & Sharp, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Defendant's Attorney: Ronald L. Wood and Richard McGongile of Wood and McGonigle, Tulsa, Oklahoma and Patti Palmer of Palmer & Lamirand, Pawhuska, Oklahoma

Description: Breach on insurance contract and bad faith claims by a Sperry, Oklahoma farrier who claimed that U.S. Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company beached its agreement with him and acted in bad faith in cancelling his commerical insurance coverage after he was sued by the owner of a horse that had to be put down after Beaston was unable to fashion a suitable artificial limb for the horse. The horse in question had a leg amputated at Colorado State University and the owner wanted Beaston to save the horse. When he was unable to create a limb for the horse, it was destroyed. The unhappy owner brought suit and a Utah arbitrator awarded the horse owner $10,000, which Beaston paid out of his own pocket after U.S.F. & G. withdrew its defense of Beaston.

Outcome: Plaintiff's verdict for $6.6 in compensatory damages and $13.2 million in punitive damages.

Plaintiff's Experts: Roger Graham, Tulsa, Oklahoma, insurance claims expert

Defendant's Experts: John Hammond, Edmond, Oklahoma, insurance claims expert

Comments: E-mail suggested additions, comments and/or corrections to verdicts@morelaw.com.

Reported by Kent Morlan