U.S. District Judge L.T. Senter Jr. said he will meet on Feb. 28 with attorneys involved in the deal to discuss his concerns about the proposed settlement. “Any interested party” impacted by the agreement also can ask to speak at the hearing, Senter added.[...]
Senter has previously refused to allow a class action against the Bloomington, Ill.-based insurer over Katrina damage, but the judge said Thursday that he will reconsider the issue in light of his ruling last month in the first jury trial for a Katrina insurance case.[...]
Senter said he will consider whether his ruling in the Broussard case could open the door for a class action by other State Farm policyholders whose homes were demolished by Katrina.
Note to self: sometimes, voluntarily accepting a small amount of extracontractual liability in the name of being a good neighbor is a far better business decision than giving the appearance of making blanket denials.