State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance v. Amirpanahi

The Amirpanahis appeal from a summary judgment entered against them in an action for declaratory relief with respect to their right to litigate damages due under the uninsured motorist provisions of their insurance policy. They allege that the trial court erred in concluding that they were collaterally estopped from asserting damages in excess of those awarded in a prior arbitration. We agree and reverse.

The appellants were injured in an automobile accident which was caused by an insured of Grange Insurance Company. The Grange policy had limits of $50,000. Grange and appellants entered into a…