This page summarizes publicly available court filings involving Bridger Insurance Services. The information comes from official records of the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda.
Disclaimer: This summary is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice or commentary on the merits of the case.
“Plaintiffs would encounter Defendant Gary Winterbottom on a continued, ongoing, and essentially daily basis, in an effort to encourage Defendants Gary Winterbottom and Bridger Insurance Services to conduct business within the legal parameters of the law. In response to Plaintiffs’ requests, Defendant Gary Winterbottom would argue, fight, raise his voice, and create a severe and pervasive hostile work environment.”
“Plaintiffs, who repeatedly and explicitly spoke out against Defendants’ actions which included violations o f relevant California rules, regulations, and laws which required insurance companies to investigate, process, and pay claims fully, promptly, and in good faith, was in a constant struggle with Defendant Gary Winterbottom who did in fact want to overlook relevant California rules, regulations, and laws.”
Case: Harter et al. v. Bridger Insurance Services, et al.
Court: Superior Court of California, County of Alameda
Case Number: 23CV047412
Filing Year: 2023
Plaintiffs: John Harter, Katherine Hebert, Nancy Salas (individuals)
Defendants: Bridger Insurance Services (business entity, form unknown), Gary Winterbottom (individual)
Alleged Claims
- Whistle-blower retaliation (California Labor Code § 1102.5)
- Wrongful termination in violation of public policy
- Intentional infliction of emotional distress
- Workplace discrimination
- Hostile work environment
Case Summary
According to publicly available filings, plaintiffs allege that their employment with Bridger Insurance Services was wrongfully or constructively terminated. They further claim intentional infliction of emotional distress and retaliation under the supervision of Gary Winterbottom and other agents/employees of Bridger.
Hostile Work Environment
- Plaintiffs were allegedly subjected to a severe and pervasive hostile work environment by Bridger Insurance Services, their agents, and Gary Winterbottom.
- Mr. Winterbottom, in the course of his employment, reportedly yelled, screamed, and used foul language, causing plaintiffs extreme stress.
- Plaintiffs repeatedly and explicitly spoke out against actions they alleged violated California rules, regulations, and laws requiring insurance companies to investigate, process, and pay claims fully, promptly, and in good faith.
- Despite plaintiffs’ efforts to uphold legal and ethical standards, they were allegedly in a constant struggle with Mr. Winterbottom, who reportedly sought to ignore or bypass applicable legal requirements.
- The filings describe ongoing harassment and abusive behavior, creating a work environment that plaintiffs claim was both hostile and intolerable.
- Plaintiffs reportedly encountered Mr. Winterbottom daily while encouraging compliance with legal requirements. In response, Mr. Winterbottom allegedly argued, yelled, and created a severe work environment.
- According to filings, this harassment altered plaintiffs’ working conditions, and one plaintiff, Nancy Salas, reportedly felt unsafe enough to be constructively terminated.
Whistle-blower & Compliance Efforts
- Plaintiffs allege retaliation because they opposed illegal activity and attempted to ensure Bridger Insurance Services complied with all applicable laws and regulations.
- Plaintiffs also provided detailed allegations so that defendants and their insurers could conduct a thorough, prompt investigation of the matter to ensure coverage compliance, under Insurance Code §790.03 and related statutes.
Damages Sought
Plaintiffs are seeking:
- Economic, non-economic, compensatory, and punitive damages
- Pre-judgment interest (Code of Civil Procedure §3291)
- Attorneys’ fees (Government Code §12965(b) and Code of Civil Procedure §1021.5)
Case Status
As of the latest public record, the case remains pending. No final judgment has been entered.
Resources
For official case information, consult the Superior Court of California, County of Alameda online case portal.
Disclaimer
This page summarizes information from public court filings and is intended for informational purposes only. It should not be interpreted as legal advice, commentary on the merits of any party, or a statement regarding the final outcome of the case.
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