Pearson Legal, P.C. Breaks 2021 Record

Pearson Legal, P.C. has recently been recognized by Verdict Search for obtaining the largest jury verdict in an insurance case in Texas in 2021. The total jury award exceeded $3.5 million, in the case styled Virtuwave Holdings, LLC v. State Farm Lloyds, in the 429th Judicial District Court in Collin County, Texas.

“Pearson Legal is proud to be recognized for our hard work and success on behalf of our client,” said Matthew R. Pearson, lead attorney of Virtuwave’s trial team and founder of Pearson Legal, P.C. “This jury’s verdict brought a measure of satisfaction to our client after a lengthy battle.”

The case stemmed from a destructive hailstorm which passed through North Texas in March 2017. Virtuwave Holdings owned a 70,000 square foot mixed-use commercial building in McKinney, Texas that suffered considerable damage from the storm. When the building developed multiple leaks within a few days after the storm, Virtuwave reported the damage to its insurance company, State Farm Lloyds.

Despite the multiple leaks, State Farm’s initial adjuster only inspected the roof and exterior of the building and concluded that the damage did not exceed the policy’s $240,000 deductible. Virtuwave’s own investigation found that the building required a new roof and extensive interior repairs as a result of the hailstorm. Refusing to accept State Farm’s determination, Virtuwave filed a breach of contract and insurance bad faith lawsuit against State Farm, requesting more than one million dollars in damages.

On November 11, 2021, the jury determined that State Farm breached the insurance policy when they concluded that the damage was below the deductible. The jury also found that State Farm “knowingly” engaged in bad faith claims handling. The total jury award, including the Prompt Payment of Claims penalty, exceeded $3.5 million.

Virtuwave hired Pearson Legal, P.C. to represent them in their dispute with State Farm, a battle that stretched out for four years. A notable aspect of this lawsuit is that it was chosen to be the first summary jury trial held via zoom in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. [https://www.pearsonlegalpc.com/2020/05/pearson-legal-participates-in-first-summary-jury-trial-via-zoom/].

Pearson Legal, P.C.’s practice focuses on commercial litigation, including insurance recovery and construction defects on contingency throughout the states of Texas, Colorado, and Oklahoma. The firm represents commercial property owners, including both public and private entities. Pearson Legal, P.C. is responsible for several of the largest insurance verdicts awarded in the State of Texas in recent years.