Case Background

This case began with a traffic accident that happened in Farmington, Connecticut, on July 27, 2019. In the afternoon, Linda Cahill slowed her car on Route 4 as traffic built ahead of her. Another driver, Hannah Leroy, drove behind her vehicle. Leroy failed to stop in time and struck the car in front of her, which in turn crashed into Cahill’s car. The chain reaction left Cahill injured and struggling with lasting physical problems.

Cahill later filed a lawsuit not only against the at-fault driver but also against her own insurance provider, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company. She claimed that her policy included uninsured and underinsured motorist benefits, which required Travelers to pay when the other driver’s coverage did not fully make up for her losses. By October 2021, she had formally brought her complaint in Hartford Superior Court.

The case moved forward over several years. While Leroy’s insurance covered some of Cahill’s damages, it did not come close to covering the full extent of her medical bills, lost time, and suffering. Cahill turned to Travelers to make up the difference. She argued that the company had a contractual duty to pay under her policy. Travelers disagreed and pushed back, filing defenses that limited or challenged what she could recover.

Cause

The cause of this dispute rested on the insurer’s obligation under Connecticut law and the contract of insurance. Cahill said she was entitled to recover underinsured motorist benefits. Her complaint made clear that Leroy’s negligence set off the crash. Leroy drove too close, failed to keep a proper lookout, and never braked in time to avoid hitting another vehicle. Cahill pointed to specific faults in Leroy’s driving, such as not steering away and ignoring traffic conditions.

Because Leroy’s policy did not cover the full scope of damages, Cahill demanded that Travelers pay the balance, as her own policy guaranteed. In her view, the accident triggered the company’s responsibility under the uninsured/underinsured coverage section.

Injury

The accident left Cahill with a number of lasting injuries. She suffered tinnitus that disturbed her daily life, an aggravated cervical injury that stiffened her neck, and worsening of an earlier concussion. Doctors also diagnosed right ankle damage and recurring headaches and migraines. These injuries required repeated treatments and therapy, and her doctors warned some might remain permanent.

Cahill explained to the court that she could no longer pursue life’s ordinary pleasures as before. Pain, recurring migraines, and the physical limitations changed her work and home life. The medical care, both immediate and ongoing, came at a steep financial cost.

Damages

The claim for damages covered both economic and non-economic losses. Economically, she faced medical bills from emergency treatment, doctors’ visits, therapy, and long-term follow-up. She also expected future medical expenses for continuing care.

On the non-economic side, she sought damages for pain and suffering, along with the permanent changes to her lifestyle.

Legal Representation

Plaintiff: Linda Cahill

• Counsel for Plaintiff: Brennen Maki

• Experts for Plaintiff: Stephanie Alessi-LaRosa | Edwin F. Richter | Steven J. Shapiro

Defendant: The Travelers Home | Marine Insurance Company

• Counsel for Defendant: Michael R. Oleyer

• Experts for Defendant: Robert H. Berland

Key Arguments and Proceedings

Plaintiff’s Claims

Linda Cahill’s legal team focused on negligence and insurance obligations. They reminded the jury that Leroy caused the crash through careless driving, leaving Cahill with significant injuries. They also argued that Travelers was bound by both state law and the contract it issued. Since Leroy was underinsured, the company had to cover what remained.

Her counsel explained that Cahill had done her part. She carried a valid policy, she paid her premiums, and she filed claims in accordance with her contract. It was now the insurer’s duty to meet its promise. The complaint spelled out that Travelers had to pay all sums she was entitled to recover, up to the policy limits.

Defense

Travelers took a different approach. Its attorneys did not outright deny that Cahill suffered injuries or that Leroy caused the crash. Instead, they raised technical defenses that narrowed the company’s responsibility. In its answer, Travelers claimed it was entitled to credits for whatever Leroy’s insurance already paid. They also insisted that the most Cahill could ever recover was the maximum liability limit under her policy, minus credits and setoffs.

In short, the defense agreed she could recover something but wanted to reduce the total as much as possible. Their stance was that Cahill already received payment from Leroy’s insurance and should not collect more than the strict policy limit.

Jury Verdict

On June 7, 2024, the jury reached its decision. They found in favor of the Plaintiff, Linda Cahill, and against The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company. The jury broke down the damages as follows:

• Economic damages: $38,813.97

• Non-economic damages: $160,000

• Total damages: $198,813.97. The jury awarded a total of $198,813.97 in damages, combining both economic and non-economic losses.

This verdict confirmed that the insurance company had to meet its obligations and compensate Cahill beyond what the at-fault driver’s insurance had covered. It also reflected the jury’s recognition of the pain and disruption Cahill endured because of the accident.

Court documents are available upon request at jurimatic@exlitem.com