A Missouri Woman Gets $5.2 Million Settlement From GEICO For STD?

GEICO is one of the largest insurers of automobiles in the country.  They are now $5.2 million dollars lighter as the result from a lawsuit.  The lawsuit is hard to believe.

A Missouri woman who has been identified in the complaint as "M.O" , claimed she caught human papillomavirus (HPV) in 2017 in a vehicle covered by GEICO.  Her ex-boyfriend apparently forgot to inform her of his condition while they engaged in sexual relations in his vehicle.  She sought compensation for "past and future medical expenses" and "mental and physical pain and suffering."

The complaint was filed in October of 2021, the woman claimed that the insurance company should be responsible for her injuries and losses, and she was asking for $1 million.  GEICO rejected the claim and the woman and her ex entered into arbitration.

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An arbitrator found that the woman was indeed negligently infected and was to be awarded $5.2 million, to be paid by GEICO. After that determination was made, GEICO reportedly appealed the decision, saying it was "denied the right to litigate its interests before judgment was entered against its insured."

On Tuesday of this week, a states court of appeals affirmed the judgement. So the insurance company is still responsible.

The court was quoted as saying "Geico did not take advantage of this opportunity, and instead denied coverage and refused to defend Insured."  Judge Tom Chapman reportedly concurs that while he believes GEICO was offered “no meaningful opportunity to participate," existing law “relegat(es) the insurer to the status of a bystander.”

GEICO is contesting the idea the claim is covered under its policy in another related federal court case.  This info is provided by the Kansas City Star.