SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):
March 19, 2002
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as
specified in its charter)
Delaware 0-19277
(State or other jurisdiction (Commission
of Incorporation) File Number)
13-3317783
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc.
Hartford Plaza
Hartford, Connecticut
(Address of principal executive offices of registrant)
06115-1900
Zip Code
(860) 547-5000
Registrant's telephone number
Item 5. Other Events:
On Friday, March 15, 2002, a jury in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern
District of Missouri issued a verdict in Bancorp Services, LLC v. Hartford Life
Insurance Company, et al in favor of Bancorp in the amount of $118 million. The
case involved claims of patent infringement, misappropriation of trade secrets,
and breach of contract claims against Hartford Life Insurance Company
("Hartford") and its affiliate International Corporate Marketing Group, Inc.
("ICMG"). The judge dismissed the patent infringement claim on summary
judgment. The jury's award was based on the last two claims.
Hartford and ICMG intend to ask the district court judge to set aside the
jury verdict, and, if necessary, to appeal. In either event, Hartford's
management, based on the opinion of its legal advisers, believes that there is
a substantial likelihood that the jury award will not survive at its current
amount. Based on the advice of our legal counsel regarding the potential
outcome of this litigation, we currently expect to incur an additional $11
million after-tax expense to increase litigation reserves associated with this
matter in the first quarter of 2002. Should we not succeed in eliminating or
reducing the judgment, we would need to recognize a significant additional
expense for this matter in the future.
Certain statements made in this filing should be considered forward looking
information as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The Hartford cautions investors that any such forward looking statements are
not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially.
In particular, the outcome of litigation cannot be predicted with certainty,
and depends on the actions of courts, juries, and other parties not within The
Hartford's control. Investors are directed to consider the risks and
uncertainties in our business that may affect future performance and that are
discussed in readily available documents, including the company's annual report
and other documents filed by The Hartford with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
THE HARTFORD FINANCIAL SERVICES GROUP, INC.
Date: March 20, 2002 By: /s/ Neal S. Wolin
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Name: Neal S. Wolin
Title: Executive Vice President and
General Counselor
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