Opinion ID: 2514213
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: The Arbitration Panel Decision

Text: A panel of arbitrators heard Holderness's underinsured motorist claim, as mandated by his automobile policy. Under the policy, the arbitration panel was to answer two questions: 1. Is the insured legally entitled to collect damages from the owner or driver of the uninsured motor vehicle or underinsured motor vehicle; and 2. If so, in what amount? In presenting this case to the panel, the parties stipulated that Holderness was legally entitled to damages and submitted no evidence concerning relative fault or the like. Thus, the arbitration addressed only the amount of damages Holderness suffered, which the panel found to be $7,308,076. On appeal, Holderness argues that the trial court erred by refusing to confirm the arbitration panel's decision on both liability and damages. But because the parties stipulated that the motorist who hit Holderness was at fault, the amount of damages was the only point at issue before the arbitration panel. The arbitrators found that amount to be $7,308,076, and the superior court's order confirmed this finding. As the panel correctly observed, the question of whether State Farm owes Holderness any payment was not before it: The extent of State Farm's liability, if any, for policy limits or beyond has not been presented to nor determined by this Panel. Our decision merely establishes the extent of Holderness's damages resulting from the accident. The superior court's order correctly reflected this statement. We therefore uphold the confirmation order.