The Untold Stories (from Travelers)
The Babysitter
A local teenage babysitter left a 5-month-old infant unattended in a walker. The infant toppled the walker, struck her head on the floor and suffered brain damage. The parents of the infant sued the teenage babysitter and her parents. The court awarded the infant’s parents millions of dollars.
The Engineer
A 28-year-old engineer dove into a friend’s above-ground swimming pool, struck his head on the bottom and, as a result, became a quadriplegic. He sued both the homeowner and the pool manufacturer. The court found the homeowner to be 60% responsible and the pool manufacturer to be 40% responsible, and awarded $5,000,000.
The Boyfriend
The insured’s 18-year-old son was driving the insured’s car on a short trip to the store with his girlfriend, He lost control of the car and struck a tree. The insured’s son told the police that a vehicle cut him off, but there were no witnesses and no evidence of any impact with another car. His girlfriend, a 19-year-old college student, was hospitalized for over a month with multiple fractures and internal injuries. She was in a wheelchair, but is now able to walk with crutches and continues with physical therapy. She has a right drop foot as a result of the injuries. The insured’s auto policy and personal umbrella policy limits were paid.