Heard needs to pay damages totalling $8m
Amber Heard is facing more legal trouble as her insurance company has filed a lawsuit calling to end their business, citing her “willful” actions as reasoning.
New York Marine and General Insurance Co want to end its relationship with the 36-year-old as it believes it has no legal obligation to continue defending Heard, reports the Los Angeles Times.
Heard last month lost a defamation suit against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, who was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The punitive damages amount was later reduced to $350,000 in keeping with Virginia law. Heard, who was counter-suing Depp, was awarded £2m.
Another insurance company is providing coverage for the Aquaman actor, but her previous representation has spoken on the “actual controversy” created by the very-public defamation trial.
“An actual controversy has arisen and now exists between Plaintiff, on the one hand, and Heard, on the other hand, with regard to the duties and obligations owed between Plaintiff and Heard under the Policy with respect to indemnity” James P. Wagoner, attorney for New York Marine, said.
Another insurance company, Travelers Commercial Insurance, has spent and continues to spend substantial sums” on Heard’s defence after a policy they provided in 2018. It is now seeking a share of the costs from New York Marine.
While Heard’s $1m insurance does cover legal costs, including defamation, California law dictates that insurance companies are not obliged to pay up if their client performed wrongful, willful misconduct.
The company has argued that Heard’s actions were willful and malicious.
Related Links:
- Dakota Johnson speaks out after being dragged into Johnny Depp case after video goes viral
- Johnny Depp video played during Paul McCartney set at Glastonbury
- Johnny Depp responds to Pirates of the Caribbean return rumours
- Johnny Depp’s lawyer Camille Vasquez annoys fans amid rumours she may defend David Dobri
