When sixteen-year-old Holly Elliott was killed while riding on the back of an ATV, the family hired Chris Heavens from Charleston, WV to fight the big insurance companies for them
Storified by PrAngency · Sun, Mar 16 2014 21:12:51
When sixteen-year-old Holly Elliott was killed while riding on the
back of an ATV, the family hired Chris Heavens from Charleston, WV to
fight the big insurance companies for them.
Both Elliott and the
male driver under the age of 21 had been served alcohol prior to the
accident. Since both accident victims were minors, the family believed
that the driver of the ATV and the owner of the property where the
alcohol was served were at fault. Matters became more difficult when two
big named insurance companies, State Farm and Nationwide, refused to
make any settlement to the bereaved family. The family decided to
contact Chris Heavens of the Heavens Law Firm ( www.heavenslaw.com ) to
assist them in the suit.
Chris Heavens was able to negotiate with
Nationwide Insurance, who represented the operator of the ATV, to pay
the maximum $100,000.00 policy limit to the Elliott family. However,
State Farm Insurance asserted a defense for the owner of the ATV and the
property owner declaring there was no social host liability issue since
the State does not require it.
Heavens argued that since the
property owners bought a keg and served minors alcohol, which ultimately
ended up with the death of sixteen-year-old Elliott, the social host
liability issue was trumped by corrupting the morals of minors. Heavens
also contended to State Farm that there would be social host liability
if minors were being served. The defendants contended that there was no
social host liability under the facts of the case, irrespective of
minors being involved.
The result was State Farm Insurance Company settling for an undisclosed amount to the family of Elliott.
Chris
Heavens, a former insurance company attorney, has the knowledge and
experience necessary to handle your insurance claims as well as
providing a personal touch that makes his clients feel comfortable.
For More Information:
Chris Heavens
Heavens Law Firm PLLC
2438 Kanawha Blvd East
Charleston, WV 25311
800-718-3308
Heavenslaw@aol.com
www.heavenslaw.com
