EDWARDSVILLE — A woman injured in a car crash is suing State Farm to enforce an arbitration award of more than $300,000, alleging the insurer needlessly delayed resolving her underinsured motorist claim.
Frances Campbell filed a complaint Nov. 24 in the Madison County against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company.
According to the complaint, Campbell is the holder of a policy issued by State Farm that includes an underinsured motorist limits of $100,000. She alleges that on July 12, 2017, her vehicle was struck by another driver, causing her to suffer severe injuries that resulted in medical expenses of $139,606.77.
Campbell allegedly settled her liability claim with the "at fault driver" on Nov. 14, 2019, for $25,000.
Prior to the settlement, Campbell claims State Farm denied her underinsured motorist claim on July 8, 2019, and failed to base the denial 'on objectively verifiable facts."
Then on Nov. 2, 2020, Campbell allegedly received an arbitration award against the other driver for $350,000. The suit states that State Farm was entitled to $25,000 of that award as credit for the liability payment made by the other motorist's insurer.
Campbell alleges State Farm refused to make any payments to her and "insisted" on arbitration. The insurer also allegedly failed to make a "reasonable investigation," which Campbell claims would have revealed the other driver was "primarily at fault." Campbell further alleges State Farm "unduly and unnecessarily" delayed the resolution of her claim.
Campbell seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. She is represented by Lanny Darr of The Darr Law Offices LTD in Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 20-L-001667