Couple sues insurance company over Katrina damage

NEW ORLEANS- An Orleans Parish couple is suing State Farm Insurance for claims allegedly left unpaid after Hurricane Katrina.

Alred and Mary Lee filed the suit against State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Company Aug. 11 in Orleans Parish District Court.

The Lees say they were living in a home on Delachaise Street in New Orleans when it was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The Lees say the damage caused by wind and rain made the house uninhabitable for an extended period of time.

According to the complaint, their property was insured by State Farm under an "all risk policy." The Lees claim their policy covered all damages, including those caused by wind and wind-drive rain.

The Lees say they submitted claims to State Farm but only received partial payment for those. They are accusing the insurance company of breach of duty and breach of contract for failing to pay for all of the damage done inside and outside the house.

The Lees are asking the Court to award them all of the money owed under the insurance policy along with penalties, attorney fees and court costs.

David A. Binegar and Tiffany R. Christian of Binegar Christian, LLC are representing the Lees.

Orleans Parish District Court Case No. 10-8274