Donald and Bridget Watkins have been awarded almost $13 million in damages for their part in a class action suit in which they are the lead plaintiffs against State Farm, an insurer. The jury found that the insurer had intentionally acted maliciously by employing Haag Engineering and its independent adjusters from E.A. Renfro Co. to assess the damage caused to homes by a tornado which swept through Oklahoma in 1999. A spokesman for the company said that it was disappointed with the verdict and that it would appeal against it.
The case brings up issues of corporate accountability and as Jeff Marr, who represented the plaintiffs pointed out, Oklahomans' willingness 'to put an end to corporate arrogance'.
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