Zelle LLP Trial Victory on Behalf of Southern Vanguard Insurance Company in Hurricane Harvey Trial
July 11, 2019A Harris County judge recently rendered a final judgment in favor of Zelle LLP client and Houston-based insurance company Southern Vanguard Insurance Company after a bench trial against a client of storm attorney Eric Dick. Zelle Dallas partner Eric Bowers represented SVIC at trial.
Through attorney Dick, Maria Reyes filed suit against SVIC on Sept. 25, 2017, alleging the insurance company failed to properly adjust her claim for damages caused by Harvey. The matter proceeded to a bench trial, after which the court rendered judgment for SVIC.
In a recent SE Texas Record article, Bowers said that the court carefully considered whether there was any evidence of damage that actually resulted from Hurricane Harvey as opposed to other causes. “The court’s decision made clear that it was the plaintiff’s burden to prove causation for both the roof and interior damages claimed, a burden that the plaintiff did not meet,” Bowers said. “The court further recognized that an appraisal award not supported by causation evidence can be set aside as a mistake. SVIC should be commended for having the fortitude to fight a clearly erroneous appraisal award all the way through trial."
Click here to read the SE Texas Record article “Storm attorney Eric Dick loses Hurricane Harvey trial against Houston insurance company SVIC.”
