Steve Mostyn
Two law firms have filed 11 new cases against Capitol County Mutual Fire Insurance, alleging the company has denied full benefits to victims of Hurricane Rita.
The Mostyn Law Firm filed six new Rita suits in the Jefferson County District Court on July 14, while local attorney Rocky Lawdermilk was responsible for five new suits, court records show.
Hurricane Rita made landfall in Southeast Texas on Sept. 24, 2005, leaving damage to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in its wake.
Since the storm, Mostyn and Lawdermilk have filed thousands of lawsuits on behalf of homeowners who claim to have been treated unfairly by insurance companies.
All 11 suits filed July 14 claim the plaintiffs submitted a policy claim to Capitol County Insurance for property damaged and were denied at least a portion of their claim.
The suits claim that the plaintiffs' policies provided coverage for the losses they have suffered.
The plaintiffs allege Capitol County and its claims adjusters violated the Texas Insurance Code - Unfair Settlement Practices and Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act by refusing to perform an adequate investigation and fairly settle their claims.
The plaintiffs further assert the insurance company and its agents acted knowingly and committed fraud and allege breach of contract and breach of duty.
The plaintiffs are seeking actual and compensatory damages, court costs and attorneys' fees.
Lawdermilk
Stafford Vanwright case No. D182-044
Westrilla Doucet case No. E182-045
Juanita Scott case No. D182-046
Juanita Scott case No. E182-047
Stafford Vanwright case No. A182-048
Mostyn
Robertha O'Brien Case No. B182-056
Barbara Sherman Case No. E182-057
Robertha O'Brien Case No. A182-058
Robertha O'Brien Case No. B182-059
James Scott case No. D182-060
James Scott case No. D182-061