My first thought upon seeing this story is..... HOW?!? Not as much about her contracting HPV, but HOW do you sue Geico over it.....and WIN? Here's the details:
Thanks to a ruling by the Missouri Court of Appeals, insurance juggernaut Geico to pay a woman $5.2 million in damages after being infected with HPV during intimate activities that took place in an insured personal vehicle. IN AN INSURED VEHICLE.... SO GEICO IS TO BLAME?
Per The Kansas City Star, the woman initiated a claim with Geico in February 2021 after learning that she'd contracted the sexually transmitted infection from a partner who knew but did not disclose his status. Since the incident in question happened in her partner's car, she argued that his liability insurance was responsible for damages. A settlement was reportedly offered to Geico, whose lawyers declined. As anybody who's had legal entanglements with an insurance company can probably guess, the case went to arbitration.
In what we're certain was a surprise to Geico's legal team, arbitration did not go their way. The woman's partner was found liable and the arbitrator approved an award of $5.2 million in damages to be paid out by the insurer despite requests by Geico for a new hearing. The insurance company appealed to the courts on several grounds, claiming that the process denied it the ability to have its day in court. The company's appeal was denied on all points.
WHERE DOES IT STOP!?!
Am I the only one baffled here? Let me know, text us at 59570 start your message with JOCO or message me on Instagram @meredithonmic.