Brooks v. Cigna Property & Casualty Companies

While working for Illinois Trailer Equipment Company, plaintiff Eugene Brooks was injured by an uninsured motorist. He notified his employer’s insurance carrier, Cigna Property and Casualty Companies (Cigna), of his uninsured motorist claim under section 143a of the Illinois Insurance Code (Code) (215 ILCS 5/143a (West 1996) (formerly Ill. Rev. Stat. 1983, ch. 73, par. 755a)) and demanded arbitration. Eleven years after the accident with no resolution of his claim, Brooks filed suit against Cigna, alleging breach of contract and “vexatious delay.” Cigna moved to compel arbitration, which the…