Opinion ID: 1469111
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Skaling's Motion to Amend the Complaint

Text: Aetna correctly notes that almost four years after he filed his original complaint alleging bad faith and, approximately one month after Aetna moved for summary judgment, Skaling sought leave to amend his complaint to add two additional counts, neither of which set forth a cause of action or theory of recovery different from the bad faith count that already was pending. We are satisfied that the trial justice did not err nor did he abuse his discretion in denying the motion to amend Skaling's complaint. The proposed additional count 5, alleged that Aetna failed to fulfill its implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Clearly, this is merely a recitation of an element of bad faith, initially articulated in Bibeault, that was subsequently codified in § 9-1-33 and is not a separate and distinct claim. Skaling did not state a claim for relief different from that which was previously pled in his original complaint. The proposed count 6, alleging a willful and wanton breach-of-contract without reasonable cause is, again, merely another ground available to a plaintiff to establish bad faith on the part of an insurance carrier. Because punitive damages are available as a matter of right in bad faith cases, it is unnecessary to plead or prove willful or wanton conduct. Whe n an insurance company intentionally has failed to investigate the claim sufficiently, or to subject the investigation to cognitive evaluation and review, the insurer has acted in bad faith and has opened itself up to a compensatory damage award, punitive damages and attorney's fees. We therefore are satisfied that the trial justice acted within his discretion in denying Skaling's motion to amend his complaint.