00-2296 Strahm v. General Casualty Insurance Company of Wisconsin, et al.

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Allstate Insurance company appeals a judgment awarding Amy Strahm $53,500 for injuries she suffered in a traffic accident with its insured, George Cielinski. Strahm had previously been in three other accidents that were consolidated for trial. The other three defendants settled with Strahm before trial. Allstate argues that the trial court improperly exercised its discretion when it refused to allow Allstate to inform the jury of the other settlements to show Strahm’s bias and potential financial interest in associating her medical problems with the fourth accident.

Allstate also argues that the court should not have instructed the jury on causation because Allstate conceded liability and that the instruction and verdict erroneously inquired whether Cielinski’s negligence was “a cause” rather than “the cause” of Strahm’s injuries. We reject these arguments and affirm the judgment.

This opinion will not be published.

Dist III, Outagamie County, Luebke, J., Per Curiam

Attorneys:

For Appellant: James M. Ryan, West Allis

For Respondent: John C. Peterson, Appleton