Maine Court Denies Husband’s Wrongful Death Claim Involving Wife

Maine’s supreme court has sided with an insurance company that refused to pay a wrongful death claim benefiting a husband who caused his wife’s death.

The estate of Esther Pecci brought action against Amica Mutual Insurance Co. after it denied a wrongful death claim for which her widower, Lawrence Pecci, was sole beneficiary.

Esther Pecci, who was 70, suffered fatal injuries in 2005 when her husband drove into oncoming traffic while attempting to cross Route 1 in Woolwich.

The state supreme court upheld a lower court’s ruling against the claim. It says the insurer was liable only for reasonable medical and funeral costs.