Maverick Tube Corp. Wins $6.5 Million Case

St. Louis, MOAttorneys Alan S. Breckenridge and Jennifer A. Bierman of Gallop, Johnson & Neuman L.C. served as co-counsel in a successful bad faith insurance case that will award more than $6.5 million to client Maverick Tube Corporation.

Maverick Tube had submitted claims to its insurance company, Westchester Surplus Lines Insurance Company, for property damage and breach of warranty with respect to oil well piping sold to a customer. When Westchester refused to provide insurance coverage, Maverick Tube took the case to district courts in both Texas and Missouri. The district courts ruled in favor of Westchester.

Maverick Tube appealed to The US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, which overturned the district court rulings on December 10, 2009.

"This case has a long history, including a lawsuit filed by Westchester in Texas and a lawsuit filed by Maverick Tube here in Missouri," Breckenridge said. "We are very pleased that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit understood our arguments, based on Missouri law, and reversed the lower courts' rulings. We expect damages will be at least $6.5 million for Maverick Tube."

Breckenridge chairs the Insurance Practice Group at Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, and is past chair of the Litigation Department. Bierman is a litigator who concentrates her practice in insurance and risk management. Gallop, Johnson & Neuman served as co-counsel with Baker Botts, LLP after the lawsuits were consolidated in Houston, Texas.

Gallop, Johnson & Neuman, L.C., a full service law firm of 80 attorneys, has provided legal services to clients in diverse industries since its founding in 1976 and is one of the largest law firms in St. Louis. The firm serves public corporations, privately-held companies, entrepreneurs and start-up enterprises, individuals and families, trustees and trust beneficiaries, charities, and non-profit entities.