Poarch v. Alfa Mutual Insurance Co.

Ronald Poarch sued Alfa Mutual Insurance Company ("Alfa") on April 18, 1997, seeking compensatory and punitive damages on two counts. The first count alleged fraud and the second count alleged bad-faith refusal to pay insurance benefits, hereinafter "bad faith." On October 19, 1998, Poarch amended his complaint to add a third count alleging breach of contract. Alfa's answer to the complaints denied the allegations and asserted the affirmative defenses of release, accord and satisfaction, and waiver and estoppel.

The case was tried before a jury from February 22 through February 25, 1999. At…