Mr. Fridman was hurt in a traffic crash with an underinsured motorist and sought
benefits under his own insurance policy. He sued Safeco, his insurer, more than 60
days after filing the notice required by state law. Before the trial, Safeco paid Mr.
Fridman $50,000, the full benefit under his policy, and moved to dismiss the trial. The
judge refused to do so on the grounds that Mr. Fridman was planning to sue Safeco for
bad faith and state law requires a jury verdict of damages in such cases. The jury
returned a verdict for $1 million in damages. Safeco appealed and the Fifth District
Court of Appeal reversed.