VB Attorneys Obtain Verdict of $734,191 against AIG After Zero Pretrial Offer « Houston Accident Attorney | Texas Personal Injury Lawyer Houston

VB Attorneys Obtain Verdict of $734,191 against AIG After Zero Pretrial Offer

I never get used to the thrill of helping innocent Texans recover justice against mega-corporations. This week saw yet another victory. I am pleased to announce that the Houston auto accident attorneys at Vujasinovic and Beckcom have obtained a verdict of $734,191 for an accident victim in his lawsuit against AIG.

Our client Alfonso Garza was driving a Chevy suburban in Houston, when it was hit by a pickup truck driven by Octavia Vega. The pickup truck that Vega was driving was owned by her employer, EMS USA Inc. & the company was insured by AIG. Alfonzo suffered serious neck and back injuries in the accident. These injuries were serious enough to require neck surgery. Worse, his doctors informed him that he was likely to require back surgery in the future. When he turned to AIG for his claim, he was shocked to find that the insurer refused to pay up.

Lawyers for AIG and their insurance adjuster had much fun at Alphonso’s expense. This is a retired man who speaks no English. The company offered him a zero pretrial settlement offer, saying that they wanted to take his case before a Harris County jury. According to AIG lawyers, a Harris County jury would never accept him because he didn’t speak English. Obviously, AIG does not know much about Harris County folk.

On the first day of the trial, the company offered $350,000. That offer was rejected. After four days of trial, the jury returned with a verdict of 734,191. After adding interest and costs, the amount is likely to exceed $800,000.

In Alphonso’s case, lawyers for AIG used typical hardball tactics:

They waited till the very last minute to make an offer, hoping that the pressure would force Garza to settle
The company continued to deny its liability throughout the litigation, even when it was very obvious that EMS US was responsible for the accident.
They delayed the litigation process, adding to costs, hoping to get the plaintiff and his lawyer to either drop the case or settle for cheap.
They also hired unqualified experts, bringing in a neurological expert when they should’ve gotten an orthopedic expert instead.
They blatantly appealed to the prejudices of jury members, hoping that that would work against Alfonzo. Fortunately, it didn’t.

This case is a prime example of hardball insurance company tactics. It’s also a perfect illustration of the fact that the civil justice system in Texas continues to thrive in the face of shady insurance hardball tactics.

The insurance company has agreed to pay this amount, which will include a “structured annuity” for Alfonso. After attorney fees and litigation expenses, Alfonso will recover $390,514.