Created: 06 May 2009
The AP (5/6, Twiddy) reports, “A Missouri appeals court on Tuesday reinstated a $17 million verdict against American Family Mutual Insurance Co. as part of a class-action lawsuit over aftermarket vehicle parts.” The appeals court said that “Jackson County Circuit Judge Edith Messina was wrong when she overturned a jury’s decision last year against the Madison, Wis.-based insurer.” The appeals court added that “the plaintiffs ‘presented sufficient evidence for a reasonable juror to conclude that aftermarket parts are not of like kind and quality to (original manufacturer) parts and that American Family breached its contacts with its policyholders when it paid to return the damaged vehicle to pre-loss condition based on the nature and cost of aftermarket parts.'”