February 20, 2005

The much-criticized 1999 verdict in a consumer class action over the insurer's use of generic aftermarket parts, in which an Illinois state court returned a $1.2 billion verdict (later reduced to $1 billion and now on appeal to the Illinois Supreme Court), is the subject of an interesting discussion at Martin Grace's site. Prof. Grace criticizes the verdict, Evan Schaeffer and E.L. Eversman defend it in comments and at Eversman's site AutoMuse (more) (yet more), and Grace adds further thoughts. Update Aug. 18, 2005: State Farm wins in unanimous Ill. Supreme Court decision.