Trayvon Martin's Mom Sued by Traveler's Insurance Co.
Trayvon Martin's mom, Sybrina Fulton, has been sued by Traveler's Insurance Company in a dispute over whether the insurance company is responsible for damages over her son's death.
Fulton made an insurance claim against Traveler's for about $75,000, reports The Washington Post. The insurance company had a policy with the homeowners' association at the Retreat at Twin Lakes in Sanford, Fla., where Trayvon Martin was killed, agreeing to cover the costs of certain injuries.
But instead of paying out Fulton's claim, Traveler's filed a lawsuit against Fulton so that a court would step in and clarify just what damages it owes, if any.
Traveler's reportedly issued the insurance policy to the Retreat at Twin Lakes HOA a month after Trayvon Martin's shooting death in February.
Trayvon Martin's mom is being sued because Traveler's argues its HOA policy specifically exempts making any payments "arising from bodily injury, sickness, mental anguish, emotional distress, disease or death of any person," reports the Post.
By filing the lawsuit against Sybrina Fulton, Traveler's is seeking a declaratory judgment from a judge. Generally, a declaratory judgment differs from other judicial rulings in that it does not require that any action be taken. Instead, the judge simply issues an opinion declaring the rights of each of the parties involved after analyzing the controversy.
It should be noted, however, that a declaratory judgment is conclusive and legally binding.
Traveler's Insurance Company basically sued Trayvon Martin's mom first, before she had a chance bring a lawsuit against the company. The judge's declaratory judgment will determine just what rights Sybrina Fulton has to recover damages from the insurance company.
Related Resources:
- Trayvon Martin family's HOA insurance claim lands in federal court (Orlando Sentinel)
- Homeowners May Have to Pay in a Trayvon Civil Action (FindLaw's Injured)
- State Farm Sues Not to Pay Sandusky's Legal Fees (FindLaw's Injured)
- Casino Sued for $75M Over Man's Drinking Death (FindLaw's Injured)