Court Throws Out $1 Billion Verdict in State Farm Case

[steve2470]

http://ap.tbo.com/ap/breaking/MGBGX6C5JCE.html

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - The Illinois Supreme Court on Thursday reversed a $1 billion judgment against State Farm Insurance Co. in a class-action lawsuit alleging the company used substandard parts to repair damaged cars.

The court held that the lawsuit should never have been given class-action status. Differences in customers' insurance policies meant they did not share the same conditions, as required to sue as a group, justices found.

It was also a mistake for an Illinois trial court to grant national class-action status when there was only one named plaintiff from Illinois and he failed to prove he had suffered actual damages, the Supreme Court found.

In 1999, a jury ordered Bloomington-based State Farm to pay nearly $1.2 billion for failing to provide top-quality parts when paying for auto repairs. At the time, it was the largest judgment in Illinois history.

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[craychek]

1. that's a bunch of crap n/t

[rrrevolution]

2. And People Say Campaign Contributions Don't Talk . . .

Wonder how much State Farm Insur and their buddies contributed to the Repubs/Bush campaign?

Oh well, it is back to normal -- get out the substandard, used, old parts to repair their insured's vehicles, and spend the difference on deceptive tv and ad campaigns--less the amounts they pay their executives for pulling this off.

[annabanana]

3. Look to see this kind of thing more and more...

It's harder to get "class-action" status now, so big business can just swat flies, resting in hammocks in the summer sun.