Florida Jury Rules State Farm Driver Owed $3 Million in Lawsuit

April 14, 2011

A middle school teacher in Florida has been award $3 million in damages after a jury found State Farm refused to live up to its contract on a 2008 car accident.

David Bowler sued State Farm for damages and medical costs after suffering a fractured neck and wrist in a Leigh High Acres, Fla., accident. The other driver in the crash, Randall Spivey reportedly had $25,000 in insurance coverage. But the lawsuit claimed that Bowler had over $2 million in uninsured motorist coverage that State Farm subsequently refused to pay.

State Farm said it was willing to negotiate a settlement for a lesser amount, but Bowler refused the offer and the insurer refused to pay.

After a Lee County trial that lasted four days, the jury ruled that State Farm had an obligation to pay Bowler for nearly $3 million for medical costs and pain and suffering stemming from the accident.

Topics Lawsuits Florida Personal Auto State Farm

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Latest Comments

  • April 14, 2011 at 4:48 pm
    Joe says:
    Sorry to hear the teacher was injured in the accident. Sad thing is of the $3 million awarded he/she will probably only see half that amount since the attorneys will get the r... read more
  • April 14, 2011 at 4:28 pm
    Bill says:
    Not being a Florida citizen, how exactly does this work in re having uninsured/underinsured coverage? In most states if you have BIPD limits of $1 million you could have U &am... read more
  • April 14, 2011 at 4:12 pm
    Mr. Solvent says:
    This article is rubbish. There is no UM requirement in Florida. As others have pointed out, you can opt out of UMBI coverage. I really wish this article was accurate.

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