Two men working on an elevator in an abandoned St. Louis building were injured when it unexpectedly shot upwards.

The injured men sued the building owners. Tom Hershewe, attorney for Dollar, Burns, Becker & Hershewe, was hired to represent the building owners. The building was insured, however the insurance company denied the owner’s claim. According to Hershewe, the insurance company disputed whether the two men were under the employment of the building owners when the accident took place and whether the accident occurred out of negligence on behalf of the building owners.

The building owners filed claims against the insurance company for bad faith and breach of duty to defend. During mediation the insurance company settled with the building owners for $2 million.