Drunk driver pays $750,000, Lauer v. Brown

Pennsylvania Law Weekly

Comments:

Plaintiff was injured on March 18, 1995, when defendant, who later pled guilty to driving while intoxicated, crossed the center line and struck the vehicle in which plaintiff was a passenger

Defendant, who conceded liability and had liability coverage totaling 500,000, offered $230,000 to settle the case.

Following four days of testimony, the jury returned a verdict of $750,000 in favor of the plaintiff.

A motion to mold the verdict by adding delay damages of approximately a $46,000 has been filed with the court.

Plaintiff, who made a demand for policy limits and thereafter sent a bad faith letter, intends to pursue a bad faith claim against Nationwide, defendant's automobile insurer.