Sawyer v. Superior Court (Continental Assurance Co.)
As a beneficiary, Laura Sawyer sued her fiancee’s life insurance company, Continental Assurance Company, for policy benefits when it failed to pay her after his untimely death. Continental’s refusal to pay the life insurance benefits left Ms. Sawyer raising four children with no income. During the litigation, the trial court ruled that Ms. Sawyer was not entitled to assert a claim for punitive damages. The Quisenberry Law Firm immediately filed a writ and requested the Court of Appeal to review this decision. The Court of Appeal in an unpublished decision Sawyer v. Superior Court, California Court of Appeal, Second District, Case Number B144143, filed March 23, 2001, ruled that Ms. Sawyer could present her case for punitive damages to the jury. Shortly, after this decision, Ms. Sawyer favorably settled her case with Continental.
