In this first episode of Tales From Insurance Land, we examine the Texas Court of Appeals’ landmark decision in G.A. Stowers Furniture Co. v. Am. Indem. Co., 15 S.W.2d 544 (Tex. Civ. App. 1929). The decision was one of the first in the country to impose extra-contractual liability on an insurance company when it fails to settle a liability claim that it should settle. We will walk through the facts and circumstances of this case, and you will get to hear the parties, witnesses, lawyers and claims professionals involved tell you what happened from their unique perspectives. In listening to this story, you hopefully will get a better idea of why courts sometimes impose extra-contractual liability on insurance companies in these situations. After listening to the episode, please join us on LinkedIn in January 2024 to discuss the episode and the implications of the Stowers decision.

CREDITS: Lauren Breeden played the role of Mamie Bichon; Jonny Unitus played the part of Otis Perry; Ken Hurst played the part of I.P. Walker; Collin Hughes played the parts of Norman Atkinson and Ben Campbell; JC Martin played the part of John H. Freeman; and Neil Williams played the part of W.L. Hartung.

Vince Morgan & Michael Sean Quinn, “‘Damn Fools’ – Looking Back at Stowers after 75 Years,” 6 J. Tex. Ins. Law 2 (2005).

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