Evangeline Fisher Grossman Named Finalist for the CAOC Trial Lawyer of the Year Award

CLAREMONT, Calif., Aug. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Evangeline Fisher Grossman of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley was named a finalist for the Trial Lawyer of the Year Award from the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC).

Ms. Grossman was nominated as a result of her success in Ron and NancyGjerset v Allstate Los Angeles Superior Court, North Central District - EC060472.

"I'm honored to be a finalist along with my co-counsel Brian S. Kabateck," said Ms. Grossman. "Our fight on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Gjerset was a fight for justice and the recognition from my peers is an honor."

Case Details
A jury in Glendale, CA awarded an 85 year old WWII veteran and his wife, who lost their home in the 2009 Station wildfires, $2.5 million and found that Allstate was also liable for punitive damages. The punitive damages verdict resulted in a confidential settlement.

Evangeline Fisher Grossman of the Claremont office of Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP and Brian S. Kabateck of Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP tried the case jointly. The trial took place in the Los Angeles Superior Court'sNorth Central District Courthouse in Glendale before The Honorable John P. Doyle.

Ron Gjerset is an 85-year-old man who is oxygen dependant. Before the fire he called Allstate for two years, attempting to fix errors in his homeowner's policy which were the fault of Allstate. The insurance company had the home grossly underinsured, with a series of incorrect facts, including estimating the house at almost half its true size. After the 2009 fires, the home was destroyed and the couple made an insurance claim. For two years, Allstate put the elderly and infirm Gjersets up in a hotel while it dragged its feet improperly estimating the value of the house. Allstate then cut them off completely, leaving the two (who live on social security) to fend for themselves.

About Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP
Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP leads the nation in protecting policyholders from insurance company abuse. The firm has been advocating the rights of insurance consumers, both individuals and businesses, for over 35 years after having set the legal precedent requiring insurance companies to act in good faith. 

SOURCE Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley LLP