Woman in USA contracted STD in car awarded more than 5 million in damages from vehicle insurer

[BabyBlade]

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A United States woman who contracted a sexually transmitted disease from her partner during romantic encounters in his car has been awarded US$5.2 million (S$7.2 million) in damages from his vehicle insurance company.

The woman in the state of Missouri successfully claimed her partner had negligently infected her with human papillomavirus (HPV), and that his policy covered her for "injuries and losses".

Referred to in court documents only as M.O., the woman had requested an award of US$9.9 million, before an arbitrator determined a sum of US$5.2 million would cover her "damages and injuries".

"Insured should have disclosed his diagnosis to M.O. prior to the sexual activity that occurred, but he did not," found the arbitrator.

GEICO, the insurer, had rejected the woman's initial settlement offer, and last year contested the award, but it was upheld by the Missouri Court of Appeals this week.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the US, and high-risk strains can cause cancer. There is a vaccine against it.

In her initial settlement offer, the woman said she had contracted HPV during unprotected sexual encounters in her partner's vehicle in late 2017 despite him "having knowledge of his condition".

The arbitrator found that her partner had "been told that his throat cancer tumour was diagnosed as HPV positive". The woman requested compensation for "past and future medical expenses", as well as "past and future mental and physical pain and suffering".

Reports of the ruling quickly went viral on social media, prompting humour as well as outrage.

"Crazy damages claims like this are a big part of why car insurance costs so much," tweeted Elon Musk.

"It should be possible to sue law firms for pursuing insane damages claims."

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-woman-who-contracted-std-in-car-awarded-us52m-from-vehicle-insurer

I'm confused. Woman contracts a sexually transmitted disease while having sex with man in his car. Woman sues vehicle insurer successfully and is awarded more than 5 million in damages. What is the link here between the vehicle insurer and the STD? 

[Watwheels]

So unusual that vehicle insurance covers such activity and consequences.

[Raychay]

no wonder some ppl like to hump in the car....can claim insurance when something goes wrong! 🤣

[Gizmore]

Seriously not sure what is the judge preceding the case thinking. What of precedent is this kind of ruling going to set? USA...... 

[1fast1]

American insurers really do cover all sorts of bangs.

[Windwaver]

58 minutes ago, BabyBlade said:

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - A United States woman who contracted a sexually transmitted disease from her partner during romantic encounters in his car has been awarded US$5.2 million (S$7.2 million) in damages from his vehicle insurance company.

The woman in the state of Missouri successfully claimed her partner had negligently infected her with human papillomavirus (HPV), and that his policy covered her for "injuries and losses".

Referred to in court documents only as M.O., the woman had requested an award of US$9.9 million, before an arbitrator determined a sum of US$5.2 million would cover her "damages and injuries".

"Insured should have disclosed his diagnosis to M.O. prior to the sexual activity that occurred, but he did not," found the arbitrator.

GEICO, the insurer, had rejected the woman's initial settlement offer, and last year contested the award, but it was upheld by the Missouri Court of Appeals this week.

HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections in the US, and high-risk strains can cause cancer. There is a vaccine against it.

In her initial settlement offer, the woman said she had contracted HPV during unprotected sexual encounters in her partner's vehicle in late 2017 despite him "having knowledge of his condition".

The arbitrator found that her partner had "been told that his throat cancer tumour was diagnosed as HPV positive". The woman requested compensation for "past and future medical expenses", as well as "past and future mental and physical pain and suffering".

Reports of the ruling quickly went viral on social media, prompting humour as well as outrage.

"Crazy damages claims like this are a big part of why car insurance costs so much," tweeted Elon Musk.

"It should be possible to sue law firms for pursuing insane damages claims."

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/us-woman-who-contracted-std-in-car-awarded-us52m-from-vehicle-insurer

I'm confused. Woman contracts a sexually transmitted disease while having sex with man in his car. Woman sues vehicle insurer successfully and is awarded more than 5 million in damages. What is the link here between the vehicle insurer and the STD? 

[Beregond]

17 minutes ago, Gizmore said:

Seriously not sure what is the judge preceding the case thinking. What of precedent is this kind of ruling going to set? USA...... 

As crazy as i can believe. 

I thought its a joke at first😅

[Tkseah]

Then those who contracted STD while having sex in the house can claim home insurance??

[ER-3682]

7 hours ago, Watwheels said:

So unusual that vehicle insurance covers such activity and consequences.

Only in America,all Laws very Crazy.

[Spurman]

April fool 2023,???

[Inlinefour]

here even you are not at fault

 

sometimes still have to pay excess deduct ncd up premium 🙊🙉🙈 

 

biz easier to do here than usa 

[mersaylee]

Luckily just renewed my insurance...sekali must declare one's intimate activity on the next renewal...😅

Sekali also got no STD claim discount...

Edited June 12, 2022 by mersaylee

[1fast1]

Actually the new name for it is Sexually Transmitted Infection or STI. 

If only the car was a particular Subaru model. 

Then she would've caught an STI in an STI. 

And if were manual, she would've caught it riding on a stick in a stick-shift ride. 

😁

[1fast1]

4 hours ago, mersaylee said:

Luckily just renewed my insurance...sekali must declare one's intimate activity on the next renewal...😅

Sekali also got no STD claim discount...

Must look carefully at your policy. 

Did you get your No Crabs Discount? 

Is your insurer going to get into a knock-for-knock agreement? 

What is their view on rear-ending vs front-end collisions? 

And finally, can you handle their BOLAs? 

😁

Edited June 12, 2022 by Turboflat4

[Gizmore]

10 hours ago, Tkseah said:

Then those who contracted STD while having sex in the house can claim home insurance??

Ha... exactly... xiao one... 

[Volvobrick]

10 hours ago, Tkseah said:

Then those who contracted STD while having sex in the house can claim home insurance??

If in hotel overseas can claim travel insurance? 

[mersaylee]

3 hours ago, Turboflat4 said:

Must look carefully at your policy. 

Did you get your No Crabs Discount? 

Is your insurer going to get into a knock-for-knock agreement? 

What is their view on rear-ending vs front-end collisions? 

And finally, can you handle their BOLAs? 

😁

Chum liao liddat...i neber read one...only see what's the premium to pay and pay...😁

[Benarsenal]

Only in USA, everything also can sue and claim.

Does not apply elsewhere.