Multiple plaintiffs sued insurance companies over a 1993 settlement agreement in a toxic-tort case, claiming the insurers breached the deal by not paying the full policy limits. The Texas Court of Appeals ruled that the settlement was for a fixed amount of $9,759,562—not all available coverage—and the insurers did not breach it. This case shows that settlement agreements are binding contracts with specific terms, and courts will enforce them as written.
Settlement agreements must clearly state whether they cover a specific dollar amount or all available policy limits. Ambiguity will be interpreted against the drafter.
Once a settlement agreement is signed with releases, you generally cannot later claim the other party owed you more money or additional coverage.