Sidney D. Torres, III
NEW ORLEANS – A New Orleans man is suing his homeowner insurer's underwriters for allegedly not meeting their obligations following his home being damaged in a hurricane.
Eddie Keith filed suit against Underwriters at Lloyd's of London in the Orleans Parish Civil District Court on July 19.
Keith claims his home was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 and that under his insurance policy the defendants should have paid for the damages to his home. The plaintiff claims the defendants slowed down the process of paying a claim on his home and refused to meet its obligation under the insurance policy he paid for and did not pay for the damages he received accordingly. Keith asserts that he recorded all of the damage to his home and despite the evidence the defendants still refused to pay a full insurance claim.
The defendant is accused of failing to timely initiate loss adjustment, failing to promptly and adequately adjust claims, failing to submit a timely written offer of settlement, providing an initial endearment under commercial standards, making partial loss payments that were insufficient or inadequate, failing to make complete payment after receiving satisfactory proof of losses, failing to fulfill the terms of the insurance contract, misrepresenting pertinent facts of the insurance policies, failing to exercise reasonable care in those affiliated with the insurance policy and breach of express and implied warranties.
Damages of less than $75,00 are sought by the plaintiff in addition to legal costs and attorney's fees.
Keith is represented by New Orleans-based attorney Sidney D. Torres, III.
The case has been assigned to Division A Judge Tiffany G. Chase.
Case no. 2012-07059.