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Virginia Financial Associates, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group Inc.

Date: 09-17-1999

Case Number: 982400

Judge: Herbert C. Gill

Court: Circuit Court, Chesterfield County, Virginia

Plaintiff's Attorney: <a href="http://www.morelaw.com/lawyers/search.asp">Richard L. Locke</a>, Richmond, Virginia; <a href="http://www.morelaw.com/lawyers/search.asp">Douglas M. Palais</a>, Richmond, Virginia; <a href="http://www.morelaw.com/lawyers/search.asp">Dana J. Finberg</a>, Richmond, Virginia; <a href="http;//www.morelaw.com/lawyers/search.asp">Robert W. Partin</a>, Richmond, Virginia of Mezzullo & McCandish, Richmond, Virginia

Defendant's Attorney: Bradfute W. Davenport, Jr.,Richmond, Virginia; Robert A. Angle, Richmond, Virginia; James C. Schroeder, Chicago, Illinois and James C. Roberts, city of practice unknown

Description:

Insurance - Breach of Contract - Implied Contract - This case involved a dispute between the plaintiff and the defendant over the compensation due the plaintiff arising out of the plaintiff having served as a "marriage broker" between the defendant and another insurance company for the development of an insurance product sold to dentists. The plaintiff sued for breach of an express contract , breach of an implied contract, fraud and punitive damages. The defendant denied liability under the express contract and for fraud and punitive damages.

Outcome:

The jury returned a defense verdict on the express contract claim and awarded the plaintiff $5 million on the implied contract claim, $200,000 for fraud and $1 million in punitive damages. After trial, the trial court reduced the punitive damages award to $350,000 pursuant to Virginia statute.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Unknown

Defendant's Experts:

Unknown

Comments:

The Supreme Court of Virginia reversed and entered final judgment for the defendant on the fraud and punitive damages claims. It also reversed the $5 million implied contract award and remanded the case for a new trial for damages only on the implied contract claim. See: 520 S.E.2d 355(Va. 1999). The above date reflects that of the appellate court decision date, not the original trial date.

About This Case

What was the outcome of Virginia Financial Associates, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group...?

The outcome was: The jury returned a defense verdict on the express contract claim and awarded the plaintiff $5 million on the implied contract claim, $200,000 for fraud and $1 million in punitive damages. After trial, the trial court reduced the punitive damages award to $350,000 pursuant to Virginia statute.

Which court heard Virginia Financial Associates, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group...?

This case was heard in Circuit Court, Chesterfield County, Virginia, VA. The presiding judge was Herbert C. Gill.

Who were the attorneys in Virginia Financial Associates, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group...?

Plaintiff's attorney: Richard L. Locke, Richmond, Virginia; Douglas M. Palais, Richmond, Virginia; Dana J. Finberg, Richmond, Virginia; Robert W. Partin, Richmond, Virginia of Mezzullo & McCandish, Richmond, Virginia. Defendant's attorney: Bradfute W. Davenport, Jr.,Richmond, Virginia; Robert A. Angle, Richmond, Virginia; James C. Schroeder, Chicago, Illinois and James C. Roberts, city of practice unknown.

When was Virginia Financial Associates, Inc. v. ITT Hartford Group... decided?

This case was decided on September 17, 1999.