The Supreme Court has turned down an appeal from Holocaust survivors who believe an Italian insurer got off too easy in a compromise settlement with victims and their heirs.
Acting Monday, the justices refused to consider undoing a settlement agreed to by other survivors and Assicurazioni Generali over the company’s refusal to honor policies held by Holocaust victims.
The company has paid more than $135 million to resolve claims, but eight Holocaust survivors say that insurance policies with an estimated value of at $2 billion remain unpaid.
They asked the court for a ruling that would eventually force Generali to defend itself at trial and, possibly, pay punitive damages.
A settlement approved in 2007 followed a Supreme Court ruling that sharply limited survivors’ ability to sue over unpaid insurance claims.
(Source: Associated Press)