Around mid-April, Rick Pinto and Aerin Hickey represented Central Mutual Insurance Company in the defense of an underinsured motorist coverage arbitration brought by its insured, the Claimant Kathryn Peters. The Claimant was involved in a car accident that resulted in significant injuries to her right knee and leg. As a result, the Claimant was immobilized for a lengthy period of time, but fortunately, for the most part she ultimately recovered. She submitted $34,000 in related medical expenses, and she claimed ongoing, lifelong problems. Even though the Claimant finished treatment and essentially recovered, her demand was never lower than her underinsured policy limits of $250,000. She had already received $30,000 from the liability carrier, plus $5,000 in MedPay coverage from Central Insurance. 

At the close of the arbitration, the Arbitration Panel awarded Claimant Peters $60,000, which meant that Central Mutual Insurance Company was obligated to pay her only $25,000 after receiving a credit against its obligation for the $30,000 liability payment and the $5,000 MedPay payment. This was a significant and favorable defense result as it was not only almost $200,000 less than Claimant’s pre-arbitration demand, but also less than what had been previously offered by Central Mutual.