WHEELING — An Ohio County man is suing insurance providers, alleging breach of an insurance contract.
Joseph Vespa filed a lawsuit Jan. 23 in Ohio Circuit Court against Erie Insurance Property & Casualty Company, Bernie Glenn Insurance & Financial Services, Bernard J. Glenn, et al, alleging they breached their duty of covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 21, 2016, a fire completely destroyed a building on Vespa's insured property in Reader. The plaintiff says he inquired into filing a claim several times with the defendants and was informed each time that the property was not insured.
As a result, the suit says, Vespa was forced to retain legal counsel and suffered monetary damages of $144,000 for building replacement costs.
The plaintiff alleges the defendants originally represented to him that the policy he purchased for $10,209.85 did cover the building on his Reader property and then failed to give timely notice and disclose of any change in the coverage.
Vespa seeks trial by jury, compensatory and punitive damages, pre- and post-judgment interest, attorney fees and court costs and all other proper relief. He is represented by attorney Shane M. Mallett of Mallett Law Offices in Wheeling.
Ohio Circuit Court Case number 17-c-26