Professional Negligence Law Reporter

Sarah Lerum suffered a mild traumatic brain injury and injuries to her back, neck, and shoulders when a vehicle operated by uninsured driver Eulysses Baldovinoschavez spun out of control and crashed into her vehicle. Lerum sought uninsured motorist coverage from and gave notice of claim to her insurer, State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.; however, State Farm denied the claim.

Lerum sued State Farm, alleging that it wrongfully denied the benefits of her $100,000 uninsured motorist policy without setting forth a reasonable basis for the denial.

The jury awarded more than $259,500. The parties later settled for an undisclosed amount.

Citation: Lerum v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., No. 27-CV-19-16078 (Minn. Dist. Ct. Hennepin Cty. Nov. 2, 2020).

Plaintiff counsel: AAJ member Richard A. Ruohonen, Minneapolis.