![Res Judicata Bars Insured from Challenging Insurer's Use of Schedule to Deduct Depreciation from the Loss Hurricane damage](https://constructiondefectjournal.com/construction_defect_law/images/nimg/061324_04-hurricane-damage-senior-couple-at-destroyed-forest-as-an-effect-of-strong-storm.png)
On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida caused wind damage to the Burkes' home.
The insured was barred by res judicata from filing a second lawsuit challenging the insurer's method of establishing the amount of the loss. Burke v. GeoVera Spec. Ins. Co., 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 9186 (5th Cir, April 16, 2024).
On August 29, 2021, Hurricane Ida caused wind damage to the Burkes' home. They filed a claim with their insurer, GeoVera Specialty, and received payment. In calculating the payment, GeoVera Specialty adjusted the damage claim pursuant to its Roof System Payment Schedule, which lists the criteria used in reducing roof damage claims based on depreciation. Based on that schedule, GeoVera Specialty reduced the roof damage component of the Burkes' claim by forty-eight percent.
In March 2022, the Burkes filed suit alleging that GeoVera Specialty undervalued their claim. On September 8, 2022, the parties filed a joint motion to dismiss the lawsuit after reaching a settlement, which the district court granted.
Mr. Eyerly may be contacted at te@hawaiilawyer.com