It Figures

$28 Million

Settlement paid to the family of a Costa Rican woman killed when the ceiling of a Big Dig tunnel collapsed in Boston. The settlement was for the husband and three adult children of Milena Del Valle, who was killed in July 2006 when part of a tunnel ceiling collapsed on her car. The main defendants in the lawsuit included Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff, Modern Continental Co., Gannett Fleming Inc. and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. The settlement resolves claims against all 15 defendants; the companies admitted no liability.

$440,000

Amount of insurance money allegedly spent by retired Pennsylvania Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce – now at the center of insurance fraud case – on a new house, hot tub, motorcycle, jewelry and cosmetic surgery for his wife, according to federal prosecutors. Joyce is scheduled to stand trial in federal court in Pittsburgh Oct. 20 on charges he got the money by exaggerating loss claims in a 2001 car accident. Prosecutors listed the spending in a court documents; Joyce’s lawyers want to keep his financial records out of the trial, saying the expenses are an attack on Joyce’s character and offer no proof he had a motive to commit fraud.

9

The number of premium finance companies cited by Maryland Insurance Commissioner Ralph Tyler for allegedly collecting illegally high interest rates on insurance policies. Tyler has ordered them to comply with the law that finance charges cannot exceed 1.15 percent for each 30 days, charged in advance. The companies that have been issued cease and desist orders are: Agency Services Inc. of Linthicum; Central Acceptance Co. Inc. of Baltimore; Gebco Insurance Associates Inc. (T/A Crown Premium Funding Co.) of Baltimore; H&S Finance Co. Inc. of Baltimore; Insurance Billing Services Baltimore; Insurance Payment Plan Inc. of Baltimore; Premium Finance of America Inc. Owings Mills; Senate Acceptance Corp. of Laurel and U.S. Capital Associates of Greenbelt

$1,250

Amount unsuccessfully sought by a New York City insurance broker who sued a Manhattan movie theater, claiming he required serious dental repairs after chipping his tooth on un-popped popcorn. A civil judge tossed the claim, saying the broker, Steve Kaplan, could not reasonably expect every kernel to be popped.