Personal Umbrella Insurance

A babysitter left a 5 month old infant unattended in a walker. The infant toppled the walker,  struck her head on the floor and suffered brain damage. The parents of the infant sued the teenage babysitter and her parents. The court awarded the infant’s parents $11,000,000. 

An insured’s daughter hated math class as well as the teacher. The daughter made several “disparaging” and false remarks about her teacher online. The teacher sued the parents for  personal injury and $750,000 was paid. 

A 28-year old engineer dove into a friend’s above ground swimming pool struck his head on the  bottom and, as a result became a quadriplegic. He sued both the homeowner and the pool  manufacturer. The court found the homeowner to be 60 percent responsible and the pool manufacturer to be 40 percent responsible, and awarded $10,000,000 

The insured’s 18 year old son was driving the insured’s car on a short trip to the store with his  girlfriend. He lost control of the car and struck a tree. The insured’s son told the police that a  vehicle cut him off, but there were no witnesses and no evidence of any impact with another car.  His girlfriend, a 19 year old college student, was hospitalized for over a month with multiple  fractures and internal injuries. She was in a wheelchair but is now able to walk with crutches and continues with physical therapy. She has a right drop foot as a result of the injuries. The insured’s personal umbrella policy limit was paid.

A couple hosted a party for their teenage children. They did not provide any alcohol, but it was  brought by some of the guests and was available. After leaving the party, one of the guests was  severely injured in an auto accident, and the injury was attributed to his consumption of alcohol.  This case went to the Wisconsin Supreme Court which decided that anyone who sells or furnishes  alcohol to a minor is responsible for the minor’s injuries as well as any injuries caused by the  minor. The opinion of the court was that the homeowners should have prevented the  consumption of alcohol by minors on their premises. Both the homeowners and personal umbrella policies responded to this claim. 

A hillside on the insured’s property was covered with concrete to prevent erosion. The concrete  had been installed before the insured purchased the property. Approximately 5 feet of the  concrete fell to the neighboring property knocking the claimant’s home from its foundation. The resulting claim was settled for $970,000. 

The insured permitted several of her children and their friends to play paintball in her large back  yard. The children were experienced and advised of all the safety rules including the use of  headgear at all times. A participant removed her headgear as she was leaving the field in order  to better hear someone calling her name. The minor claimant was hit in the eye resulting in a $475,000 settlement 

The insured hosted a beach party for their daughter. One of the attendees found what was  believed to be an empty and discarded propane tank. The tank was thrown into a beach bonfire  and subsequently exploded resulting in severe injuries to several guests. A $20,000,000 claim was filed alleging the insured failed to properly supervise the party. 

The insured’s tenant claims she became ill from carbon monoxide poisoning resulting from a  faulty furnace. The tenant claimed permanent brain damage and demanded $750,000. 

A teenager, who was destined for greatness as a softball player, filed a $700,000 lawsuit against  her former coach, alleging his “incorrect” teaching style ruined her chances for an athletic scholarship.