A Jefferson County man claims his insurance company refuses to compensate him for damages his property sustained in a fire.
Michael Meeks filed a lawsuit June 15 in Jefferson County District Court against Texas Farmers Insurance Co.
In his complaint, Meeks alleges he owned an insurance policy issued by Texas Farmers when his home at 3831 Fourth St. in Port Arthur caught on fire on June 18, 2010. The fire damaged the interior and exterior of the property, and Meeks filed a claim for damages, according to the complaint.
However, Farmers denied Meeks's claim, saying it was not covered under the policy, the suit states.
Meeks insists the fire was a covered occurrence.
"Specifically, Farmers failed and refused to pay proper proceeds of the Policy, although due demand was made for proceeds to be paid in an amount sufficient to cover the damaged property and all conditions precedent to recovery upon the policy had been carried out and accomplished by plaintiff," the complaint says.
In his complaint, Meeks alleges breach of contract, noncompliance with the Texas Insurance Code and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing against Texas Farmers.
Meeks seeks actual, treble, exemplary and punitive damages, plus attorney's fees, costs, pre- and post-judgment interest and other relief the court deems just.
James E. Wimberley of McPherson, Hughes, Bradley, Wimberley, Steele and Chatelain in Port Arthur will be representing him.
The case has been assigned to Judge Gary Sanderson, 60th District Court.
Case No. B192-577