CONTRACTS
Judge Certifies Class

NEWARK — A federal judge certified a class of Public Storage Inc. storage space renters who claimed the company's contracts unlawfully limited the company's liability for New Jersey renters.

On Nov. 17, U.S. District Chief Judge Jerome Simandle certified a class action in which plaintiffs alleged violations of the New Jersey Truth in Consumer Contract, Warranty & Notice Act. The challenged clauses cover when lessors must indemnify the company and release owners from responsibility for lessors' loss, damage or injury stemming from the owner's negligence. Jackeline Martinez-Santiago's class action sprang from her friend Orlando Colon's 2012 slip on ice outside her storage unit in Sicklerville, N.J.

DAMAGES
AIG Hit With Verdict

NEW YORK — A California jury slapped three American International Group Inc. insurance subsidiaries with a $55 million verdict, including $46 million in punitives, in a breach of contract and bad faith damages case.

A California Superior Court jury in Oakland issued the verdict for Victaulic Co., a Pennsylvania pipe-joining system maker. The three AIG companies are American Home Assurance Co., National Union Fire Insurance Co. and Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania. Judge Frank Roesch also sanctioned AIG with more than $152,000 for discovery abuses, including attempting to hide nonprivileged documents.