Lienemann v. State Farm Mutual Auto Fire & Casualty Co.

LAY, Circuit Judge.

This is an excess judgment case in which a jury found that State Farm Mutual Auto Fire and Casualty Company refused, in bad faith, to settle a suit against the estate of its insured, John B. Lienemann.

The events giving rise to the present suit began on February 11, 1968, when an automobile driven by John Lienemann collided head-on with a car in which Marvin Moats and his wife were riding near Norfolk, Nebraska. All three persons were killed. Thereafter, suits were brought against the Lienemann estate in Nebraska state court for the wrongful deaths of Mr. and Mrs. Moats.…