Engaged by policyholder counsel to review and opine on Insurance Bad Faith claims handling for a Homeowners policy wind/hail loss. Carrier’s inspection report created contradictions in stating “No storm damage” but attached pictures citing “Storm damage caused by Hail”. Case required analyzing hail data to determine the probable date of loss. Gulinson v. USAA, Civil Action 1:24-cv-01935-PAB In United States District Court for the District of Colorado. Attorney Johnny Williams, Morgan Law Group (303) 357-9052.
Category: Homeowners
03
Nov2025
Engaged by policyholder counsel to analyze Insurance Bad Faith claims handling for a hailstorm loss under a Homeowners policy. Dispute involved carrier reticence to understand when resulting water damage had occurred. Olson v. Esurance, Civil Action No. 2024-CV-30899 In Adams County District Court State of Colorado. Attorney Johnny Williams, Morgan Law Group (303) 357-9052.
November 3, 2025burld
02
Jun2024
Engaged by policyholder counsel to provide analysis of water loss versus flood perils after a fire hydrant was damaged during snow removal, causing extensive water damage to two houses. Dispute resulted after carrier erroneously denied the water damage claims citing the flood exclusion. Attorneys Tom Brennan (775) 247-1998 and Sean Rose (775) 777-7777, Rose Law Firm. Mize & Welch v. CSAA General Insurance Company, Case No. CV24-01170 In The Second Judicial District Court of The State of Nevada In and For the County of Washoe.
June 2, 2024burld
01
Jun2024
Retained by policyholder counsel to opine on carrier claims handling custom and practice. Dispute arose from inordinately long carrier delays during claim investigation. Claim involved a roof collapse from heavy snowstorms at insured’s vacation home, and subsequent carrier failures to make realistic damage estimates and attempt to effectuate a good faith effort at settlement. Attorneys Tom Brennan (775) 247-1998 and Sean Rose (775) 777-7777, Rose Law Firm. Gavish v. State Farm, Case No. 4:24-cv-00041-AMA in United States District Court, District of Utah Central Division
June 1, 2024burld
30
Mar2024
Engaged by carrier’s defense counsel to evaluate homeowners coverage issues and address allegations of insurance bad faith claims handling. Dispute resulted after a carrier’s denial of a total fire loss to a dwelling (including rental income) insured under a homeowners policy but occupied by a tenant. Attorney Zane Wilson, CSG, Inc. (907) 452-1855. Baumgartner v. UMIALIK Insurance Company, Case No. 4FA-22-01509 CI In the Superior Court for the State of Alaska Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks.
March 30, 2024burld
30
Mar2024
Engaged by carrier’s defense counsel to review allegations of Insurance Bad Faith claims handling regarding a dwelling rented to a tenant but covered under a Homeowner policy. The court held that the carrier properly denied a total fire loss based on the policy’s Owner Occupancy endorsement. Attorney Zane Wilson, CSG, Inc. (907)452-1855, Baumgartner v. Umialik Insurance Company, Case No. 4FA-22-01509CI, In The Superior Court For the State of Alaska Fourth Judicial District at Fairbanks.
March 30, 2024burld
15
Dec2023
Carrier defense counsel engagement to evaluate coverage issues for a dwelling total fire loss during Colorado wildfires. Case required analysis as to whether a surplus lines carrier had any duty relative to setting limits of insurance relative to replacement cost and/or rental receipts. Fischer v. National Indemnity Company, et al Case No. 2022CV30092 Division 1, District Court Grand County, Colorado.
December 15, 2023burld
30
May2023
Engaged by policyholder counsel as an insurance expert witness to analyze Agents Errors & Omissions issues pursuant to an agent’s calculations of replacement cost for a high value dwelling. The agent’s worksheets showed artificially low values for square footage and quality of the home’s features. When a fire destroyed the home during the 3rd policy year, agent’s deficient calculations left the dwelling insured for ~50% of actual replacement cost. Attorney Rick Lombardo, Shafer Lombardo Shurin (816) 931-0500. Tolefree v. Farm Bureau, Case No. 2021-CV-000391 In The District Court Of Douglas County, Kansas.
May 30, 2023burld
30
Apr2022
Engaged by policyholder counsel to analyze and opine bad faith claims handling issues under a homeowners policy. Dispute arose following a substantial water loss, inept remediation efforts, and lengthy delays in adjusting the claim. Attorney Tom Anderson, Thomson, Rhodes & Cowie, P.C. (412) 316-8684. Civil Division No. GD-19-009745, Crawley v. State Farm, Xpert Restoration, et al In The Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.
April 30, 2022burld
30
Mar2022
Retained by insurance company defense counsel to examine Homeowners Insurance underwriting and claims handling in response to Insurance Bad Faith allegations against the carrier. The homeowner abandoned the dwelling after a fire, failed to protect the premises from further damage, and insisted the dwelling was a total loss. Carrier made several inspections and calculated the fire damage at far less than a total loss, leading to eventual litigation. Attorney Daena Ramsey, Shields Legal Group (972) 788-2040. Hooks/Davis v. Southern County Mutual, Cause No. CV21-14932 In The District Court 1st Judicial District Newton County, Texas.
March 30, 2022burld