Kelley Kronenberg Partner and Business Unit Leader Todd Schwartz and Associate Luis Inclan, with key support from Legal Assistant Racheal Yowell, secured summary judgment for Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company in a Hurricane Ian commercial property case filed in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Fort Myers Division. 

The plaintiffs filed suit on a partially covered Hurricane Ian claim seeking nearly $250,000.00 in damages for roof replacements, interior repairs, and additional exterior repairs. The matter was filed in state court and removed to federal court. 

Todd and Luis moved for summary judgment, arguing Westchester properly paid for covered damages and the plaintiffs failed to provide an actual cash value estimate or proof of completed repairs before filing suit. Our team used the plaintiffs’ own engineer report to demonstrate there were no genuine issues of material fact regarding covered damages. 

When the plaintiffs sought to voluntarily dismiss the case before a ruling on the summary judgment motion, Todd and Luis successfully opposed, and the Court agreed, requiring the plaintiffs to file a response. The Court then granted summary judgment in our client’s favor. 

Our team holds an expired proposal for settlement and is seeking recovery of attorney’s fees and costs. 

Learn more about the firm’s First-Party Property and Coverage Division; click here: https://www.kelleykronenberg.com/our-practices/first-party-insurance-defense-coverage-bad-faith/  

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