Mother of ten wins $11.3m verdict against life insurer

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 17:40 · Archive

Vaneza Ramos won $11.3 million in damages after an insurer denied her claim following her husband's COVID-19 death.

Vaneza Ramos has won a $11.3 million verdict against Farmers New World Life Insurance after the company denied her claim following her husband Jose Gaytan's death from COVID-19. Gaytan died on 31 May 2020, just 20 days after Ramos gave birth to their tenth child. The insurer rejected the $350,000 life insurance claim, saying Gaytan had a history of heart attack and had failed to disclose the medical condition on his application. Instead, the company offered $17,360, the amount Gaytan had paid into the policy.

A Douglas County jury sided with Ramos earlier this year on the value of the policy. A second jury, convening on 16 October, awarded $11.3 million for bad-faith damages. Ramos's lawyer, Ross Pesek, said the jury factored in emotional distress and financial hardship when determining the amount. The family faced significant hardship after Gaytan's death: their truck was repossessed and Ramos fell behind on vendor bills, damaging the reputation of their La Michoacana frozen dessert and diner businesses in South Omaha, which Gaytan had owned and operated.

Ramos said the verdict provided vindication, adding that her husband had been portrayed as a liar by the insurer. She said the family are 'now more stable' physically and emotionally, though economic pressures remain challenging.

How it is being reported

• Mom of 10 wins $11.3M verdict after insurer denied husband’s COVID death claimVaneza Ramos said she felt a sense of peace and vindication upon hearing a jury verdict that awarded her $11.3 million in a case against an insurance company that denied a claim after her husband died of COVID-19.1011Now · 29 Oct, 16:57
• Mom of 10 wins $11.3M verdict after insurer denied husband’s COVID death claimVaneza Ramos said she felt a sense of peace and vindication upon hearing a jury verdict that awarded her $11.3 million in a case against an insurance company that denied a claim after her husband died of COVID-19.WOWT · 29 Oct, 16:57

In this story: Vaneza Ramos · Jose Gaytan · Farmers New World Life Insurance · Douglas County · Omaha · South Omaha · Ross Pesek

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