All three motions for summary judgment were granted on Nov. 30, effectively dismissing the cases, court records show.
The plaintiffs in the case all sought up to $1 million in damages and alleged State Farm undervalued their claim for damages caused by the hailstorm that ravaged the South Texas area in March of 2012.
State Farm moved for summary judgment in the cases, arguing it timely paid an appraisal award to the plaintiffs.
“Payment of the appraisal award resolves and disposes of all claims in this lawsuit,” a State Farm motion for summary judgment states.
“Plaintiffs are estopped from maintaining a breach of contract claim as a matter of law based on State Farm’s timely payment of the appraisal award. Additionally,
Plaintiffs have no extra-contractual claims because they have suffered no independent injury that would otherwise entitle them to damages, and State Farm timely investigated their claim.”
The plaintiffs in the cases were Arturo and Edith Ornelas, Silvana and Juan Espinoza, and Reynaldo and Nora Cerda.
Attorneys Steve Mostyn and Gilberto Hinojosa represented the plaintiffs.
U.S. District Judge Ricardo Hinojosa granted the summary judgment motions.
Cerda v. State Farm 7:14-cv-00401
Espinoza v. State Farm 7:14-cv-00378
Ornelas v. State Farm 7:13-cv-00476