Court Opinion

ID: 9740336
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 20:32:39.716195+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:24:17.439632
License: Public Domain

WOLLMAN, Justice
(dissenting).
Plaintiffs claim was based upon the insurer’s refusal to settle following the jury verdict and prior to appeal. The trial court instructed the jury that:
“* * * this stage of the case, taking all relevant factors into consideration, good faith on the part of the insurer requires that, giving equal consideration to the rights of the insured, the insurer is justified in concluding that there exists a reasonable probability that an appeal will result in a reversal of the trial court decision.”
I would hold as a matter of law that the insurer was justified in relying upon the considered advice of two highly competent, experienced attorneys, acting independently of each other, that there was a reasonable probability that the decision in the wrongful death action would be reversed.
I would reverse the judgment.