Packer v. Travelers Indemnity Co. of Rhode Island
John Packer, the appellant, suffered a job-related back injury and sued The Travelers Indemnity Company of Rhode Island for bad faith delay in authorizing his back surgery. While medical costs were covered by a workman's compensation policy, Packer alleged that Travelers' delay in approving the surgery constituted bad faith. Medical reports from various physicians presented conflicting opinions regarding the necessity of surgery; some recommended conservative treatment, while Dr. Donald Lazarz eventually recommended surgery. Travelers ultimately approved the surgery in April 1992, around the time the compensation case settled. The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Travelers, concluding that a reasonable basis for the delay existed due to the conflicting medical opinions. On appeal, the judgment was affirmed, with the court finding no evidence that Travelers acted in bad faith by relying on the expert medical reports.