| Recently my client Michelle Tribble was | | | | caused by the 2nd T-bone collision. Had |
| featured on CNN's cable show Anderson Cooper | | | | Michelle accepted this offer she would have |
| 360. The story addressed how insurance | | | | ended up owing several thousands of dollars |
| companies take advantage of legitimate | | | | for an accident she did not cause. To her |
| accident victims by intentionally | | | | credit, Michelle wasn't going to be bullied. |
| undercutting settlement offers and | | | | She told me to fight on her behalf. |
| essentially forcing innocent victims to file | | | | |
| expensive and time-consuming lawsuits just to | | | | We managed to settle with Safeco and then |
| recover their medical bills. | | | | proceed against Allstate only. The trial |
| | | | against Allstate lasted about 5 days. |
| I was contacted by CNN about a case that I | | | | Allstate hired 2 doctors to testify against |
| handled a few years ago against Allstate | | | | Michelle. They told the jury that Michelle |
| Insurance Company on behalf of my client | | | | suffered a simple soft tissue whiplash injury |
| Michelle Tribble. Michelle had been injured | | | | that should have resolved in a few months. |
| in two separate accidents occurring just 10 | | | | They explained away the 2 herniated discs on |
| weeks apart. She was not at fault for either | | | | the MRI scan by saying that they existed |
| accident. Michelle received two herniated | | | | before the T-bone collision. Allstate's |
| discs in her cervical spine. In the first | | | | doctors also told the jury that Michelle had |
| accident handled by Safeco Insurance Company, | | | | psychological issues and that she had a |
| Michelle was rear-ended and suffered | | | | pre-existing back problem before the two |
| whiplash. In the second accident Michelle was | | | | accidents (she visited a chiropractor a few |
| T-boned by an uninsured motorist so she filed | | | | times a year earlier). Michelle's treating |
| a claim with her own auto carrier Allstate. | | | | doctors said that she received legitimate |
| Safeco agreed to pay for its portion of the | | | | injuries and that the herniated discs were |
| medical bills caused by the minor first | | | | most likely suffered in the second T-bone |
| accident. But Allstate refused to pay | | | | collision that was caused by the uninsured |
| Michelle's medical bills attributed to the | | | | motorist. |
| more serious second accident. | | | | |
| | | | The jury agreed with Michelle Tribble and |
| Due to Allstate's hardball position, Michelle | | | | awarded her damages of more than $370,000 |
| was forced to file a lawsuit against Allstate | | | | against Allstate. Then Allstate appealed the |
| and the other driver in the first accident. | | | | jury's award to the court of appeals. The |
| The case was transferred to mandatory | | | | appeal lasted almost two years. The appellate |
| arbitration. The arbitrator ruled that | | | | court then ruled that the jury's verdict |
| Allstate was responsible for paying $35,000, | | | | should be reduced to the amount of Michelle's |
| which included past and future medical bills | | | | insurance policy issued by Allstate - |
| and some wage loss. Safeco's insured was | | | | $50,000. |
| ordered to pay as well. | | | | |
| | | | Michelle incurred court costs of more than |
| Although Safeco was willing to accept the | | | | $17,000 and attorney fees that exceeded |
| arbitrator's ruling, Allstate was not. | | | | $60,000. Fortunately the appellate court |
| Instead Allstate appealed the arbitration | | | | ordered Allstate to pay for these expenses. |
| award and requested that Michelle try her | | | | But not before Allstate dragged Michelle |
| case in court before a jury of 12 persons. | | | | through the system for more than 4 years. |
| This made little sense because the | | | | |
| arbitrator's award of $35,000 was still well | | | | Washington state legislators enacted a law to |
| below Michelle's $50,000 insurance policy | | | | combat the unfair settlement practices |
| that she purchased from Allstate. It wasn't | | | | utilized by Allstate Insurance Company in the |
| as if Allstate was ordered to pay a windfall, | | | | Tribble case. The insurance industry then |
| in fact far from it compared with the amount | | | | spent millions to turn the law into a |
| of the policy. | | | | referendum to be decided by voters this |
| | | | November. If you believe that insurance |
| When I tried to settle the case with Allstate | | | | companies should not be allowed to drag |
| after it appealed the arbitrator's ruling, | | | | innocent accident victims through the courts |
| the most it would offer was $12,000 - an | | | | and cause unnecessary expense and delays, |
| amount far less than Michelle's damages | | | | then you should vote "YES" on Referendum 67. |