Stamford Jury Awards $15M In Auto Body Class Action
By THOMAS B. SCHEFFEY
A Stamford jury on Tuesday returned a $15 million verdict in a class action brought by auto body shops against The Hartford Insurance Co., which was accused of shutting out independent appraisers and violating unfair trade practice laws.
The Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC) alleged violations of unfair trade practices law by the insurance giant, which allegedly suppressed shop labor rates artificially by exclusively using its own representatives to make appraisals following accidents.
Robert Skrip, ABAC President, said in a statement: “We are gratified that the jury agreed that The Hartford systematically violated the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act.”
Attorney David Slossberg, of Hurwitz, Sagarin, Slossberg and Knuff, of Milford, is co-counsel for ABAC with Alan Neigher, of Westport’s Bylas & Neigher. Slossberg called the verdict a significant consumer victory.
Thomas Hambrick, company spokesman for The Hartford, said, “We are disappointed with the verdict and plan to appeal. We remain confident that our auto body repair program is fully consistent with Connecticut law and provides outstanding service to our customers.”•
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