Merlo v. Standard Life & Accident Insurance

Opinion

KAUFMAN, J.

Defendant Standard Life and Accident Insurance Company of California (hereinafter “Standard”) appeals from a judgment based on jury verdicts in favor of plaintiff for compensatory damages of $267,294.52 and punitive damages of $500,000.

Pertinent Facts

Plaintiff, an incompetent, is the father of nine'children. In 1962 he purchased a home for $16,000. In 1967, to secure mortgage payments in the event he should become disabled, plaintiff purchased an insurance policy, issued by another company but assumed by Standard, providing for monthly payments of $130.63 should plaintiff…