Jury guidelines in opposition to insurance coverage firm in first Hurricane Laura case heard in federal courtroom – American Press

The primary jury trial for a Hurricane Laura case resulted in a victory for the plaintiff, Joey Odem, proprietor of a industrial property close to Petro Level in Lake Charles. Lawyer Michael Cox of Cox Cox Filo Camel & Wilson in Lake Charles mentioned the case is simply one of many greater than 3,000 Hurricane Laura claims filed in federal courtroom.

“This case is necessary as a result of it sends a message to the opposite insurance coverage firms that they have to comply with Louisiana legislation and honor coverage phrases,” Cox mentioned.

The decision was learn March 10 on the Lafayette Federal Courthouse. The Lake Charles Courthouse is present process repairs after Hurricane Laura made landfall right here Aug. 27, 2020.

“The insurance coverage firm’s enterprise mannequin expects most individuals to tolerate their mistreatment. Joey Odom didn’t and neither ought to every other Southwest Louisiana property homeowners,” Cox mentioned. “The insurance coverage firms maintain on to their cash so long as they will to allow them to become profitable on the funding, and in doing so, they violate not solely the phrases of their insurance coverage coverage, however they violate Louisiana legislation, which requires immediate cost of claims.”

Odom was represented by Cox, Somer Brown and Roy Wygant.

“The jury discovered that the insurance coverage firm underpaid him for the loss and that they did pay late,” Cox mentioned.

The first hurricane harm to Odom’s constructing was to the roof, which resulted in water harm all through. Scottsdale Insurance coverage Firm paid Odom $225,000 on time. Earlier than the trial, Odom obtained an extra $1.8 million.

“The jury discovered that he was underpaid $200,000,” Cox mentioned.

For the reason that jury discovered that Odom was underpaid, the insurance coverage firm needed to pay penalties, lawyer charges and courtroom prices.

Claims should be filed by property homeowners in opposition to insurance coverage firms. It doesn’t value to rent an lawyer on a contingency foundation. When the property proprietor wins in courtroom and even when the swimsuit is settled, most settlements embrace an lawyer charge part, Cox mentioned. Solely residential property homeowners may be awarded compensation for ache and struggling.

“I believe some people proceed to be reluctant as a result of right here in Southwest Louisiana, we’re pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps form of individuals, and people are the form of individuals hesitant to hunt the assistance of a lawyer,” Cox mentioned. “The extra these firms are challenged on their mistreatment, the more durable it’s for them.”