Suits Over Alleged Falsified Katrina Damage Reports to Go to Trial
U.S. District Court Judge L.T. Senter Jr. has refused to dismiss two lawsuits that accuse a Texas engineering firm and two engineers of falsifying Hurricane Katrina damage reports to benefit insurance companies. he judge said in his order that the lawsuits against engineering firm Rimkus Consulting Group of Houston and engineers Thomas E. Heifner and Gary L. Bell will go to trial.
In the two separate cases, homeowners maintain that engineer Ken Overstreet examined their properties and submitted reports saying Katrina's winds caused 50% or more of the damage. It is alleged in the suits that Rimkus, Heifner, and Bell altered the reports to blame the damage on storm surge so the insurance companies would not have to pay the claims. In one case, Overstreet's name was signed to the original and altered reports. He maintains his signature was forged on the second report. Judge Senter reviewed the documents and concluded:
Rimkus submitted the challenged reports in both cases to CGI Adjusters Inc., which adjusted Katrina claims for the homeowners' insurance companies, the lawsuits allege. Clarendon National Insurance and Meritplan Insurance are also defendants in the two separate lawsuits, which seek recovery of insurance proceeds and punitive damages. The defendants deny any wrongdoing.
