New Orleans homeowner sues over unpaid fire claims

A New Orleans homeowner is suing Southern Fidelity Insurance for failing to pay for damage caused by fire.

According to the petition filed Aug. 13 in Orleans Parish District Court, Curley Johnson Sr. owned a home on Desire Drive. Johnson says a fire caused extensive damage to the property on Jan. 30.

Johnson says, at the time of the fire, his house was insured by Southern Fidelity under a policy that covered any and all fire damage. Johnson claims he complied with all provisions of that policy but never received proper compensation for property damage or loss of belongings inside the home.

Johnson claims that Southern Fidelity violated Louisiana Insurance Code by failing to adjust his claims in a fair and reasonable way and failing to pay him in a timely manner. He is asking the court to award him all money owed to him under the insurance policy along with penalties, attorney fees and court costs.

New Orleans attorney David W. Bernberg is representing Johnson.

Orleans Parish District Court Case No. 10-8373