In People ex rel. Allstate v. Suh (No. B280293; filed 6/17/19), a California appeals court upheld a jury’s award of over $6 million in civil penalties for insurance fraud under Insurance Code section 1871.7.

In Suh, Allstate and other insurers brought an action under Insurance Code section 1871.7, on behalf of the People of the State of California, against Suh and others for insurance fraud in violation of Penal Code section 550, which makes it unlawful to submit false or fraudulent claims to an insurance company. Allstate alleged that Suh set up sham law firms, then procured auto insurance policyholders of Allstate as clients of the sham law firms, submitted insurance claims on behalf of the insureds, and absconded with settlement proceeds. The jurors found in favor of Allstate and imposed over $6 million in civil penalties.

Reprinted courtesy of Christopher Kendrick, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP and Valerie A. Moore, Haight Brown & Bonesteel LLP
Mr. Kendrick may be contacted at ckendrick@hbblaw.com
Ms. Moore may be contacted at vmoore@hbblaw.com