Bordas & Bordas PLLC issued the following announcement on Dec. 6.
A federal court jury awarded a $1.56 million verdict to Dan Felix of Cambria County on Tuesday, Dec. 4, after Bordas & Bordas attorney Doug Olcott secured a breach of contract judgment against American National Property and Casualty. Olcott also disproved the insurance company’s claims of material misrepresentation, false swearing and fraud during a seven-day trial.
The outcome was the second seven-figure verdict for the Pittsburgh office of Bordas & Bordas this year. The other was for $2 million for Stanley and Marianne Truskie in a medical negligence case after the death of their son Mark.
The Felix case, which centered on a residence fire on Frankstown Road in Sidman, was held at the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania.
“It seemed the insurance company was looking from the start to deny Mr. Felix’s claim,” Olcott said. “One of the nice things – more so than the money – was seeing the face of Mr. Felix afterward. When the jury read the judgment, he burst into tears because he had been vindicated.”
Felix has worked at PPG Paints in the safety department.
“He’ll be able to rebuild his home, put his life back in order and move on,” Olcott said. “It was satisfying to be able to help somebody like that.”
After deeming the cause of the fire “undetermined,” the insurance company initially withheld Felix’s replacement living expenses and accused him of policy fraud.
“I am pleased our firm is so quickly experiencing the same type of trial success in the Pittsburgh market that we have for years in other markets,” said Bordas & Bordas managing partner Jamie Bordas. “We pride ourselves on obtaining great results for our clients and Doug and his team certainly did that in this case. Our firm is honored to have been able to fight for justice for Mr. Felix against this major insurance company who wrongfully denied his claim.”
Honorable Judge Kim Gibson presided over the case. The insurance company was represented by Richard McMonigle and Bryan Shay from the Philadelphia office of Post & Schell PC.
Original source can be found here.