Insurance loophole claimed in fire deaths... Company says smoke that killed 3 was 'pollution'

[RedEarth]

An insurance company with a potential $25 million liability from a 2007 Houston office fire is claiming smoke that killed three people was "pollution" and surviving families shouldn't be compensated for their losses since the deaths were not caused directly by the actual flames.

Great American Insurance Company is arguing in a Houston federal court that the section of the insurance policy that excludes payments for pollution — like discharges or seepage that require cleanup — would also exclude payouts for damages, including deaths, caused by smoke, or pollution, that results from a fire.

.........

In October, vocational nurse Misty Ann Weaver was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of felony murder and one count of first-degree arson for setting the fire to conceal that she had failed to complete paperwork on time.



http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/6168688.html

[marketcrazy1]

1. if this arguement holds up in court

I will,,,,,,,, UN FUCKING REAL!!! I dont even know what to say! are we really THAT fucked up in this country!!! apparently so......

[opihimoimoi]

2. They will lose their asses in court....NFPA Book sez majority of fire fatalities

result from smoke inhalation....

this is a normal consequence of Fires within buildings and sometimes in brush/forest fires as well.

The Lawyers will embarrass the insurance Co for a stupid attempt at denial/non payment

*** National Fire Protection Association*** The authority on building fires/codes/and protection since formed a long time ago...

[jpljr77]

3. I am vehemently opposed to the death penalty. But I wouldn't shed a tear if all insurance

execs and lawyers that specialized in claims denial were rounded up and shot. PAY OUT THE FUCKING MONEY, ASSHOLES.