GALVESTON – The owners of a damaged vessel allege their insurers wrongfully denied their loss claim.
Smokin’ Reels of Texas LLC and William Owens filed a complaint on Oct. 23 in the Galveston County District Court against G & M Marine Inc., Diers and Stark Inc., XL Specialty Insurance Co. and Navigators Insurance Co. alleging unfair settlement practices and other counts.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on Jan. 22, its vessel, the Grateful, sunk at or near the Galveston Yacht Basin due to insured perils. The plaintiffs allege they owned a policy through G&M, Specialty and Navigators for the Grateful.
The plaintiffs allege Diers & Stark were sent to advise and adjust the plaintiffs' claim, and it advised to delay salvaging the vessel's engines. The plaintiffs allege this caused further damage.
The plaintiffs hold the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly wrongfully denied plaintiffs’ claim that the loss was covered under the policy.
The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek monetary relief of more than $200,000 but no more than $1 million and such other and further relief to which they may show themselves justly entitled. They are represented by Reed W. Burritt and Alvin Adjei of Burritt | Adjei PLLC in Houston and Jeffrey N. Todd of The Todd Law Group PLLC in Houston.
Galveston County District Court case number 18-CV-1476