Case Background
Sandra Roger filed a lawsuit against Farmers Insurance Company to recover underinsured motorist benefits following a motor vehicle collision in Wolcott, Connecticut. The incident occurred on November 22, 2020, when another driver, who Roger's complaint alleged was highly intoxicated, ran a red light and struck Roger's vehicle at a Wolcott intersection. The complaint was filed in the Connecticut Superior Court, Judicial District of Ansonia/Milford at Milford. The answer and verdict were filed in the Judicial District of Waterbury at Waterbury. Roger sought compensation for serious and allegedly permanent injuries she sustained in the crash. Because the other driver's liability insurance limits were insufficient to cover Roger's injuries, she turned to her own insurer, Farmers Insurance Company, to recover underinsured motorist benefits under her automobile insurance policy. Farmers stated it had insufficient knowledge regarding the nature and extent of Roger's injuries and raised special defenses related to policy setoffs, credits, and deductions.
Cause
On November 22, 2020, at approximately 5:45 p.m., Roger was driving her 2008 Nissan Pathfinder westbound on Kreger Drive in Wolcott, Connecticut. At the same time, John Carpentier was traveling southbound on Wolcott Road in a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado K1500. According to the complaint, Carpentier was in a highly intoxicated state when he failed to stop at the red traffic signal at the intersection and suddenly and without warning struck the front of Roger's vehicle.
Roger's complaint alleged multiple acts of negligence against Carpentier, including failure to maintain a proper lookout, operating his vehicle at excessive speed, failing to apply his brakes, operating under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and running the red light. The complaint cited violations of several Connecticut motor vehicle statutes, including Section 14-227a(a) for operating while intoxicated, Section 14-299 for failing to stop at a red traffic signal, Section 14-222(a) for reckless driving, Section 14-218(a) for unreasonable speed, Section 14-80h for defective brakes, and Section 14-236 for improper lane operation.
Injury
Roger alleged she sustained serious, painful, and permanent injuries to her neck, back, shoulder, right hip, and chest, along with radiating pain into her upper extremities. She also reported injuries to the nerves, muscles, and soft tissues of her body and a shock to her entire nervous system. Roger's complaint stated that some or all of the injuries were likely permanent in nature. As a result of these injuries, Roger incurred expenses for medical care and treatment, including ambulance services, hospital visits, x-rays, diagnostic studies, therapy, and medications, and she anticipated additional future medical expenses. Roger also alleged that her work, normal daily activities, and enjoyment of life were impaired, including loss of earnings and earning capacity.
Damages Sought
Roger sought monetary damages and any other relief the Court deemed appropriate. The statement in amount in demand indicated the claim exceeded $15,000, exclusive of interest and costs. Roger's vehicle was covered by a Farmers Insurance Company policy (policy number 0187180374) with uninsured/underinsured motorist limits of $100,000 per person.
Key Arguments and Proceedings
Legal Representation
Plaintiff: Sandra Roger
· Counsel for Plaintiff: Nancy E. Valentino | Lawrence C. Sgrignari
· Experts for Plaintiff: Edgar Catala | Peter Gregory Whang
Defendant: Farmers Insurance Company
· Counsel for Defendant: Eric S. Larson of Kropke & McManus, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Key Arguments or Remarks by Counsel
Claims
Roger brought an underinsured motorist claim against Farmers Insurance Company. She asserted that her vehicle was covered under a Farmers policy (policy number 0187180374) that obligated the insurer to pay damages a covered person was legally entitled to recover from the owner or operator of an underinsured motor vehicle for bodily injuries caused by an accident. Roger maintained she was a covered person under the policy and that Carpentier's vehicle qualified as underinsured because his liability coverage was insufficient to compensate her for her injuries. Farmers Insurance Company was identified as a foreign corporation authorized to conduct business within Connecticut. Roger stated she had performed all conditions required under the policy, including providing due notice and proof of loss in accordance with the policy terms, and asserted she was entitled to recover underinsured motorist benefits.
Defense
Farmers Insurance Company filed its answer on March 14, 2025. The insurer admitted the basic facts of the collision between Carpentier and Roger and acknowledged that Carpentier's vehicle struck Roger's vehicle. However, Farmers stated it had insufficient knowledge regarding the specific allegations of negligence, the nature and extent of Roger's injuries, her medical expenses, the impairment of her daily activities and earning capacity, the underinsured status of Carpentier's vehicle, and Roger's compliance with policy conditions. Farmers left all of those allegations to Roger's proof at trial.
Farmers raised two special defenses. In its first special defense, Farmers asserted that the uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage carried limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence, subject to appropriate setoffs, credits, and deductions. In its second special defense, Farmers argued that its liability was reduced under the terms of the insurance contract for sums paid or payable by or on behalf of any liable parties, under workers' compensation or disability benefits or any similar law, and under the automobile liability coverage section of the Mid-Century Insurance Company policy.
Jury Verdict
On October 21, 2025, the jury returned a verdict in favor of Sandra Roger and against Farmers Insurance Company. The jury found the following fair, just, and reasonable damages sustained by the Plaintiff:
Non-Economic Damages: $35,000
This award covered past and future physical pain and suffering, mental and emotional suffering, permanent injury, and loss of ability to enjoy life's pleasures.
The verdict form addressed only non-economic damages and did not include a separate line item for economic damages. Roger's underinsured motorist policy carried limits of $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. Farmers had raised special defenses asserting that any award was subject to setoffs, credits, and deductions under the policy terms, including reductions for sums paid or payable by liable parties and under the automobile liability coverage section of the Mid-Century Insurance Company policy.
