BEAUMONT — GEICO recently answered a lawsuit brought by a local man claiming the insurer breached its contract.
Arthur Louis Jr. filed a lawsuit Dec. 30, in Jefferson County District Court against GEICO Advantage Insurance Company and Gregory Paul Shello Jr. of Beaumont, alleging negligence and breach of contract.
On April 11, 2015, the complaint states, Louis was involved in a vehicle collision with Shello, an uninsured motorist, causing severe injuries to Louis, for which he has incurred medical expenses.
The suit says the accident was caused by Shello's negligence.
At the time, Louis was covered by a GEICO policy that provided payment for uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection and bodily injury liability.
However, the lawsuit states, GEICO has failed and still refuses to pay all benefits owed to Louis under his insurance policy.
GEICO answered the suit on Feb. 16, asserting a defense of comparative fault and arguing Louis is not eligible for underinsured benefits under the policy.
Louis seeks a judgment in excess of the jurisdictional limit, interests, punitive and exemplary damages, attorney fees and court costs.
He is represented by attorneys James E. Payne, Jennifer Job and Ronnie Turner, Jr. of Provost Umphrey Law Firm in Beaumont.
GEICO is represented by J. Keith Stanley, attorney for the Center law firm Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith.
Jefferson County District Court Case number D-197977