The Court of Appeals for the Western District of Missouri issued its opinion in the case of Holdeman, et. al. v. Stratman, et. al., affirming the 2016 jury verdict of $37.5 million against Stratman, obtained by the law firm of Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, L.C.

Holdeman was rendered a paraplegic when Stratman blocked I-435 by placing his car in neutral on the interstate, while planning to exit. Holdeman, traveling behind Stratman, was forced to slow and was subsequently rear-ended by a semi-tractor and trailer.

Stratman was insured for his liability through an Allstate Insurance Company policy that had limits of $100,000. Plaintiffs and Stratman alleged Allstate acted in bad faith by failing to protect its insured when it failed to settle within policy limits, potentially exposing Allstate to liability for the entire judgment.

Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe is pleased to announce that Allstate has now reached a settlement with Holdeman requiring Allstate to pay $30.5 million. This ends the litigation between Holdeman and Allstate. Stratman’s independent claims of bad faith will proceed.