Plester vs. Wawanesa Insurance | $350,000 Punitive Damages
Plester’s Oak House Fire Loss
When the Plester’s Oak House furniture store in Ingersoll, Ontario burned down, the insurance company refused to pay, blaming the Plester’s arson as the cause of the fire. The allegation of arson meant that the Plester’s were unable to receive the insurance proceeds of their policy.
After a five-week trial in London, Ontario, the jury awarded the Plester’s the amount of their claim plus $350,000 in punitive damages and $150,000 in aggravated damages. The insurance company appealed. The aggravated damage award was reduced to $50,000. The punitive damage award was upheld and is the highest punitive damage award against an insurance company upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal.
2003, Alfred M. Kwinter Plester vs. Wawanesa Insurance Co.
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