Rice v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.

James E. Rice filed this action against State Farm Fire and Casualty Company ("State Farm") and its agent, Gerald Bartig,1 alleging, inter alia, breach of an insurance contract, bad faith refusal to pay an insurance claim, and slander.2 The trial court granted State Farm's motions for directed verdict on the bad faith and slander claims. The contract claim, however, was submitted to the jury and the jury returned a verdict in Rice's favor, awarding damages in the amount of $65,000. State Farm paid that amount, plus interest and costs, into the court. Rice withdrew those funds from the court…