Chapter 19 - The civil claim
My personal-injury attorney, Rachel Kim, evaluated a civil claim against Judith.
Damages:
Medical bills.
Lost wages.
Pain.
Therapy.
Potential future complications? None significant expected.
Could sue homeowner liability insurer.
But intentional-act exclusions complicate coverage.
Judith had umbrella coverage.
Insurer reserved rights.
We filed a limited claim.
No lawsuit at first.
Judith’s carrier covered some negligence-based exposure while disputing intentional assault coverage.
Mediation.
Settlement:
$72,000 gross.
Part insurer-funded under reservation/compromise.
Judith personally contributed $12,000.
No admission beyond criminal conviction already existing.
After fees/medical liens:
Far less to me.
No windfall.
Then I asked Rachel:
“Why settle?”
“Because coverage litigation could take years.”
I did not want years.
I wanted closure within the actual conflict timeline.
We settled.
May you like
No NDA preventing discussion with police/court.
Good.
