Warren v. Geller
Warren v. Geller
Opinion of the Court
ORDER AND REASONS
Before the Court is Defendant Genworth Life and Annuity Insurance Company’s (“Genworth”) Motion for Summary Judgment.
I. Background
A. Factual Background
Plaintiff Terrell LeBeaux Warren (“Plaintiff’) filed the complaint in this action on September 12, 2011.
Geller was a sports agent and financial adviser to decedent Frank Warren (“Warren”). Plaintiff is the widow of Frank
Plaintiff alleges that Nelson represented himself to be a licensed insurance broker, but in fact this was false, and he was not licensed as an agent to sell insurance in the State of Louisiana. Nonetheless, on September 26, 1994, Nelson “prepared and filled out” an application of a $1,000,000 life insurance policy for Warren and mailed the application to Geller. Geller had Warren sign the document in New Orleans, Louisiana, and it was sent back to Geller in Washington State.
On September 26, 1994 “Nelson then signed the application in Washington State ... purporting to have witnessed the signing of the application document by [Warren]. The document indicates and shows [Warren] signed the document in Washington State.” The document was then sent to the underwriting department of Gen-worth.
Plaintiff claims that Genworth wrote a policy even though it never received trust documents or a tax identification number, which did not exist because a valid trust was never in fact created. “The premiums on the $1,000,000.00 policy were to be paid by funds generated from the policy by the alleged trustee, Geller on behalf of the alleged trust.” Plaintiff claims that Geller and Warren “had a falling out” and Warren “took steps to protect himself from Geller’s actions.”
According to Plaintiff, at this time Gen-worth checked its records, and became aware that Nelson never produced the trust document or the tax identification number. Nelson allegedly informed Gen-worth that “he had not submitted the insurance trust documents or tax identification number because there was no trust document or tax identification number.”
Plaintiff alleges that Genworth “made changes to take Geller out of the loop completely.” This included removing Geller as a beneficiary and removing Geller’s address and inserting Warren’s for all future notices. Warren paid all premiums until his death in 2002. Throughout this time, Genworth did not contact Geller in reference to this trust.
Plaintiff claims that after the events that prompted Genworth to review its records, it knew “that no trust existed, knew that Geller was not involved, and knew or should have known that the owner of the life insurance proceeds, in the event of Frank Warren’s death, would be the estate
Nonetheless, upon Warren’s death, Plaintiff alleges that “Nelson and Geller re-entered the picture,” and Nelson made a claim to Genworth for payment of $1,000,000 under the policy to be paid to Geller as trustee. Plaintiff claims that Genworth knew that there 'was no trust and that Geller had not been involved in this transaction for several years. Gen-worth requested again for Nelson to produce the trust documents and tax identification number, but instead Nelson “negligently convinced them to accept his and Geller’s representations, that a trust existed,” and the funds were released to them.
Plaintiff contends that Genworth breached a contract and a fiduciary duty when it released the funds to Nelson and Geller. Plaintiff also alleges that Nelson and Geller told Warren’s heirs that they would invest the money, but were bound by the trust and would have to abide by it, which the heirs believed.
In 2010, Plaintiff retained an attorney who requested records of trust documents and financial statements from Geller and Nelson. Nelson communicated that he did not have the document, but that Geller could provide the information. Plaintiff, still believing there was a trust, had her attorney seek to remove Geller and Nelson as trustees. After some disagreement, Geller and Nelson agreed to resign as trustees.
Plaintiff brings causes of action against Genworth, for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of due diligence and failure to conduct due diligence, negligence, fraud, and conversion.
B. Procedural Background
Genworth filled the pending motion on November 7, 2012.
II. Parties’ Arguments
In support of the pending motion, Gen-worth explains that in 1994 it issued a one
According to Genworth, the policy it issued outlined specific procedures necessary to change the beneficiary and/or the owner, which would require a written request by the owner. Initially, the trust was named as the owner and beneficiary. Attached to the application for the policy was an amendment entitled “Ratifications of Changes” dated November 28, 1994, bearing the signature of both Warren and Geller, whereby the owner and beneficiary of the policy was changed to designate Geller, in his capacity as trustee of the trust. Genworth never received a request to change the owner or beneficiary of the policy.
Genworth argues that it is entitled to have the claims against it dismissed because it complied with the terms of the policy and Louisiana law.
Genworth cites Louisiana Revised Statute § 22:877 that expressly addresses an insurer’s duty relative to payment of claims under an insurance policy:
Whenever the proceeds of, or payments under a life endowment or health and accident insurance policy or any annuity contract issued by a life insurance company become payable and the insurer makes payment thereof in accordance with the terms of the policy or contract or in accordance with any written assignment thereof or of any interest thereunder, hereafter made, the person then designated in the policy or contract or by such assignment as being entitled thereto, shall be entitled to receive such proceeds or payments and to give full acquittance therefor, and such payment shall fully discharge the insurer from all claims under the policy or contract unless, before payment is made, the insurer has received at its home office, written notice by or on behalf of some other person that such other person claims to be entitled to such payment or some interest in the policy or contract. Nothing contained in this Section shall affect*719 any claim or right to any policy or contract or the proceeds thereof or payments thereunder as between persons other than the insurer.
Therefore, Genworth claims that pursuant to this statute, as long as payment is made by an insurer to the person then designated in the policy, and such payment is made before a valid change of beneficiary is received, an insurer’s obligations is discharged. Absent written notice of an adverse claim, an “ ‘insurer must be held to have fully discharged its obligation under the insurance contract by making payment to the named beneficiary.’ ”
Genworth also directs the Court to the Louisiana Insurance Code, where “an insurer who pays a beneficiary with no insurable interest in the insured and, who, therefore, was not legally entitled to the policy proceeds,” is protected by providing that the insured or his executor or administrator may maintain an action to recover benefits from the person who received them.
If the beneficiary, assignee, or other payee under any contract made in violation of this Section receives from the insurer any benefits under the contract accruing upon the death, disablement, or injury of the individual insured, the individual insured or his executor or administrator, as the case may be, may maintain an action to recover such benefits from the person receiving them.
As such, Genworth argues that from these two statutes “it is clear that Genworth complied with Louisiana law and satisfied its contractual obligation under the Policy in paying the insurance proceeds to the named beneficiary, the Trustee,” and that any action should be against Geller, not Genworth.
Moreover, Genworth contends that Plaintiff has failed to state a cause of action against it in the amended petition. First, Genworth addresses Plaintiffs breach of contract claim. Citing authority, Genworth explains that “the written instrument in which a contract of insurance is set forth is the policy.”
Second, Genworth challenges Plaintiffs action in tort against it for paying the
Genworth argues that it did not require, nor did it request, the trust document in order to pay under this policy. Furthermore, it was not Genworth’s internal policy to make sure that there was a valid trust. Genworth’s internal policy was to request the trust documents or a certification form signed by the trustee certifying that they were the trustee of the trust.
(1) When a Trustee-Owner exercises ownership rights under a policy when a Trustee-Beneficiary claims benefits under a policy.... (“The Company”) will have no obligation to verify that a trust is in effect or that the Trustee is acting within his/her authority; (2) when the Company makes payment to a Trustee, the Company will have no obligation to ensure that the payment is applied according to the terms of the Trust agreement; (3) payment under the policy benefits to a trustee shall release the Company from all obligations under the policy to the extent of the payment.
Therefore, Genworth argues that it “undertook no duty to verify the effectiveness of payment.”
Third, Genworth addresses the breach of fiduciary duty claim. In the amended complaint, Plaintiff alleges that “all Defendants had a fiduciary duty to [Warren] and to the heirs and the estate.”
Fourth, Genworth challenges Plaintiffs cause of action for fraud. Genworth outlines a plaintiffs burden to succeed on a cause of action for fraud: (1) a misrepresentation of material fact; (2) that was made with the intent to deceive: and (3) caused justifiable reliance with resultant injury.
Geller was a sports agent, with no connection to Genworth. Genworth avers that Nelson was merely a “Solicitor” for Gen-worth, not an employee, and was even identified by Plaintiff as her husband’s insurance agent.
Fifth, Genworth similarly claims that Plaintiffs cause of action for conversion, alleging that Geller used up the funds of the trust for his own personal benefit, cannot be imputed to Genworth. Gen-worth argues that Plaintiff does not allege that Genworth or Nelson converted any funds, and absent a conspiracy, which Plaintiff cannot prove, there is no cause of action for conversion.
Sixth, Genworth refutes Plaintiffs assertion that all Defendants are “joint tortfeasors” and therefore each one’s actions are imputed on the others. While Genworth denies that it is responsible to Plaintiff in tort, as discussed above, it also argues that under Louisiana law it cannot be considered a joint tortfeasor. Genworth cites Louisiana Civil Code Article 2324, which states:
A. He who conspires with another person to commit an intentional or willful act is answerable, in solido, with that person, for the damage caused by such act.
B. If liability is not solidary pursuant to Paragraph A, then liability for damages caused by two or more persons shall be a joint and divisible obligation. A joint tortfeasor shall not be liable for more than his degree of fault and shall not be solidarily liable with any other person for damages attributable to the fault of such other person, including the person suffering injury, death, or loss, regardless of such other person’s insolvency, ability to pay, degree of fault, immunity by statute or otherwise, including but not limited to immunity as provided in R.S. 23:1032, or that the other person’s identity is not known or reasonably ascertainable.46
As such, Genworth argues that a joint tortfeasor is only liable for its degree of fault unless it conspired with another to commit an intentional or willful act, and to prove this there must be evidence of some agreement to commit an illegal or tortious act.
Here, Genworth claims that the only intentional tort alleged is the “conversion” of $1,000,000 in policy proceeds which Gen-worth deposited into a secure access account in the name of the policy beneficiary. However, Plaintiff further alleges that Geller converted the funds “with directions and participation of co-tortfeasors, Nelson and [Genworth].” Genworth denies this allegation and claims that after it deposited the money in the secure access account, it had no further contact with Geller. Further, Genworth argues that under Louisiana Revised Statute § 22:997, if payment was made to the wrong person, then Warren’s estate must pursue a cause of action against Geller.
In addition, Genworth argues that Plaintiffs claims against it have prescribed. Genworth paid the policy funds on or about March 11, 2003, and as a delictual action, there is a one-year prescriptive period that begins to run once the damage is sustained.
Based on these assertions, Plaintiff claims that there never was a trust, and as such, the funds should have been paid to Warren’s heirs instead of Geller, as trustee of the alleged non-existant trust.
Concerning breach of contract, Plaintiff states that “Plaintiffs’ [sic] have not met their burden of proof, regarding this issue.” The Court assumes that this was a mistake and Plaintiff meant to say that defendant Genworth has not met its burden. Plaintiff maintains that if not for the “false witnessing” of Nelson, the Warren family would have received the funds. Plaintiff attempts to hold Genworth liable for “its agent” Nelson’s actions as well as its own “failure of due diligence” to inspect the trust documents.
In connection to the tort claim, Plaintiff argues that the case law cited by Gen-worth regarding the four elements to prove joint tortfeasors sets out a trial standard, not a standard for summary judgment. Therefore, Plaintiff claims this cause of action may not be dismissed upon the pending motion.
In addressing the allegation of fraud, Plaintiff argues that it is “incredible” for Genworth to argue that it did not make any misrepresentation, with the intent to deceive and causing justifiable reliance “after it allowed its agent to tamper with and alter two (2) not one (1) notarized proposed Trust documents, then allow the agent to falsely witness numerous documents, some of which may contain forgeries. Defendant, Genworth knew or should have known Defendant, Nelson did not witness anything, not a single document, as Defendant, Nelson, lives in Washington State.”
Regarding the conversion claim, Plaintiff states, again without citing to any authority or the evidence in the record, “We are dealing with a joint tort feasor issue. De
Finally, regarding Genworth’s prescription argument, Plaintiff argues that “[f]raud, if proven, veto’s [sic] prescription.”
In reply, Genworth argues that “Plaintiffs Opposition consists merely of argument, unsupported by fact or law,” while it maintains that Genworth’s facts are supported by evidence in the record.
In Plaintiffs opposition to Genworth’s statement of uncontested facts, Plaintiff opposes all claims regarding the trust, arguing that there was never a valid trust.
III. Standard on a Motion for Summary Judgment
Summary judgment is appropriate when the pleadings, discovery and disclosure materials on file, and any affidavits show that “there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.”
Because factual disputes may not be resolved on summary judgment, a plaintiff need not offer all of its evidence, but rather only enough so that a jury might return a verdict in its favor.
IV. Law and Analysis
A. Breach of Contract
Under Louisiana law, a breach of contract claim requires the plaintiff to prove: (1) the obligor’s undertaking of an obligation to perform; (2) that the obligor failed to perform the obligation (i.e. breach); and (3) that the breach resulted in damages to the obligee.
Here, Plaintiff has not identified any binding agreement made between Gen-worth and Plaintiff, which is a necessary element to establish a cause of action for breach of contact. As Genworth has also pointed out, Plaintiff was not even a named beneficiary to the contract Gen-worth entered into to insure the life of Warren. Even if the alleged changes were made, Plaintiff would not have been the beneficiary of the policy. Therefore, it is undeniable that the life insurance policy at issue here cannot provide the basis upon which Plaintiff now pursues a cause of action for breach of contract.
Instead, in the amended complaint, Plaintiff argues that Genworth breached a tangential unwritten contract where it agreed to (1) remove Geller as payee or beneficiary; (2) change the name of the policyholder; (3) remove Geller from all involvement in the trust; and (4) keep the policy in effect as long as premiums were paid. Genworth has maintained that there is no “proof at all” for the existence of this alleged contract.
B. Tort
Plaintiff has claimed that Genworth was negligent for paying the policy benefits to a trust, without first verifying the validity of the trust, and therefore is liable in tort. As Genworth previously noted, to establish a cause of action for tort in Louisiana, a plaintiff must show (1) a duty; (2) breach of that duty; (3) cause in fact: and (4) actual damages. The gist of Genworth’s argument is that it was not its policy to require or request a copy of the trust document, but instead it would accept a form from the trustee certifying the trust; additionally, Genworth argues that Warren signed a document that alleviated Gen-worth of any responsibility it had to ensure that the trust was in effect.
However, regardless of what Genworth’s policy was, this does not answer the question of whether Genworth had a duty to make sure the trust was valid before disbursing funds. Whether a duty is owed is a question of law.
(1) When a Trustee-Owner exercises ownership rights under a policy or when a Trustee-Beneficiary claims benefits under a policy.... (“The Company”) will have no obligation to verify that a trust is in effect or that the Trustee is acting within his/her authority; (2) when the Company makes payment to a Trustee, the Company will have no obligation to ensure that the payment is applied according to the terms of the Trust agreement; (3) payment under the policy benefits to a trustee shall release the Company from all obligations under the policy to the extent of the payment.82
As such, Genworth argues that Warren consented to Genworth not being responsible for verifying that the trust was valid before paying on the policy or ensuring that Geller acted within the scope of his authority as trustee. In response, Plaintiff has alleged, without citing any evidence that “[t]he signature of Frank Warren is most probably a forgery.”
C. Breach of Fiduciary Duty
Plaintiff made no arguments opposing Genworth’s motion for summary judgment for the breach of fiduciary duty claim against Genworth. Genworth has argued that an insurer’s duty to the insured is contractual in nature and does not give rise to a fiduciary duty. Specifically, Gen-worth has cited National Union Fire Insurance Co. v. Cagle,
D. Fraud
Genworth contends that Plaintiffs cause of action for fraud must fail, because she cannot point to any evidence in the record to support (1) a misrepresentation of a material fact; (2) made with the intent to deceive; and (3) causing justifiable reliance with resultant injury. Plaintiff attempts to impute all alleged fraud of Nelson — mainly “false witnessing” of documents — to Genworth because Geller was its insurance agent. Genworth has argued that “Nelson worked for himself’ and was merely a “Solicitor” for Genworth.
Even if Geller was merely a “Solicitor” for Genworth, that does not end the inquiry. A “solicitor” is merely a person who must be “licensed under the laws of this state to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance.”
E.Conversion and Joint Tortfeasors
Genworth argues that Plaintiff has not alleged, nor can she prove, that Nelson or Genworth converted funds. The main allegation relevant to this claim is that Geller converted the policy funds. As such, the only way Genworth could be held liable for the intentional act of another under Louisi
“To establish a conspiracy, a plaintiff is required to provide evidence of the requisite agreement between the parties. Stated otherwise, the plaintiff is required to establish a meeting of the minds or collusion between the parties for the purpose of committing wrongdoing.”
F. Prescription
As a final argument for summary judgment, Genworth avers that all of Plaintiffs claims have prescribed. A delictual obligation arises from the “intentional or negligent causing of damages” to another in the absence of a contract.
It is undisputed that Genworth paid the policy to the secure access account in 2003. Therefore, when this cause of action was filed on September 12, 2011, more than a year had lapsed. As such, Plaintiff bears the burden to prove that prescription does not bar her claims. In an attempt to meet this burden, Plaintiff does not cite any authority, but merely makes the legal conclusion that “fraud, if proven, veto’s [sic] prescription.”
(1) where there was some legal cause which prevented the courts or their offi*728 cers from taking cognizance of or acting on the plaintiffs action;
(2) where there was some condition coupled with a contract or connected with the proceedings which prevented the [plaintiff] from suing or acting;
(3) where the [defendant] himself has done some act effectually to prevent the [plaintiff] from availing himself of his cause of action;
(4) where the cause of action is not known or reasonably knowable by the plaintiff, even though his ignorance is not induced by the defendant.99
Plaintiff argues that her causes of action “were not discovered until Plaintiffs [sic] counsel threatened to go to the FBI, if Defendant, Geller did not produce documents.”
V. Conclusion
For the reasons stated above, Genworth has demonstrated that it is entitled to summary judgment dismissing Plaintiffs claims for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and a finding that Genworth is joint tortfeasor with Geller or Nelson. However, the Court will deny Genworth’s motion with regard to the claims for tort and fraud. Moreover, based on Plaintiffs allegations, the Court finds that the doctrine of contra non valentum may apply and therefore will not dismiss Plaintiffs claims on the basis of prescription. Accordingly,
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Gen-worth’s Motion for Summary Judgment
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiffs claims against Genworth for breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and a finding that Gen-worth is a joint tortfeasor are DISMISSED;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the pending motion is DENIED with regard to Plaintiffs claims against Genworth for tort and fraud.
. Rec. Doc. 101.
. Rec. Doc. 1
.Rec. Doc. 57.
. Id. at ¶ 2.
. Id. at ¶¶ 3-4.
. Id. at ¶ 9.
. Id. at ¶¶ 10-11.
. Id. at ¶ 12.
. Id. at ¶¶ 14-15.
. Id. atH16.
. Id. at ¶ 17.
. Id. at ¶ 18
. Id. at ¶ 21.
. Id. at ¶¶ 23-24.
. Id. at ¶ 26.
. Id. at ¶ 27.
. Id. at ¶ 29.
. Id. at ¶ 30.
. Id. at ¶ 32.
. Id. at ¶¶ 34-39.
. Rec. Doc. 101.
. Rec. Doc. 127.
. Rec. Doc. 142.
. Rec. Doc. 154.
. Rec. Doc. 101-1 at p. 2.
. Id.
. Id. at pp. 2-3. The additional $300.00 was a refund of a premium paid after Warren's death. See id. at p. 2 n. 9.
. Id. at pp. 4-5.
. Id.
. Id. at p. 6.
. Id. at p. 7 (quoting Morein v. N. Am. Co. For Life & Health Ins., 271 So.2d 308, 315-16 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1973)).
. Id. at p. 8.
. Id.
. Id. at p. 9 (citing La. Rev. Stat. § 22:864).
. Id. (citing La. Rev. Stat. § 22:867; Hilliard v. La. Health Serv. & Indem. Co., 411 So.2d 1116, 1120 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1982)).
. Id. at pp. 11-12.
. Id. at p. 12 (citing Harris v. Pizza Hut of La., Inc., 455 So.2d 1364, 1369-70 (La. 1984)).
. Id., n. 39.
. Id. at pp. 12-13.
. Rec. Doc. 57 at ¶ 35.
. Rec. Doc. 101-1 at p. 13 (citing Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Cagle, 68 F.3d 905, 910 (5th Cir. 1995)).
. Id. at p. 14 (citing Newport Ltd. v. Sears, Roebuck & Co., 6 F.3d 1058, 1068 (5th Cir. 1993)).
. Id.
. Id. (citing Ex, F-2).
. Id. at p. 15.
. Id. (emphasis in Genworth’s memorandum).
. Id. at p. 16.
. Id. at p. 17.
. Id. at pp. 17-18 (citing La. Civ. Code art. 3492).
. Id. at p. 18.
. Rec. Doc. 127 at p. 2.
. Id. at p. 3.
. Id. at p. 19.
. Id. at p. 20.
. Id.
. Id. at pp. 20-21.
. Id. at p. 21.
. Id. at p. 22.
. Id. at pp. 22-23.
. Id. at p. 23.
. Id.
. Id.
. Rec. Doc. 142 atp. 2.
. Rec. Doc. 154.
. Id. at pp. 2-3.
. Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(a); see also Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 322-23, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986); Little v. Liquid Air Corp., 37 F.3d 1069, 1075 (5th Cir. 1994).
. Delta & Pine Land Co. v. Nationwide Agribusiness Ins. Co., 530 F.3d 395, 398-99 (5th Cir. 2008).
. Travelers Ins. Co. v. Liljeberg Enters., Inc., 7 F.3d 1203, 1207 (5th Cir. 1993) (quoting Shaffer v. Williams, 794 F.2d 1030, 1033 (5th Cir. 1986)).
. Amoco Prod. Co. v. Horwell Energy, Inc., 969 F.2d 146, 147-48 (5th Cir. 1992).
. Int’l Shortstop, Inc. v. Rally’s, Inc., 939 F.2d 1257, 1264 (5th Cir. 1991).
. Lindsey v. Sears Roebuck and Co., 16 F.3d 616, 618 (5th Cir. 1994) (per curiam).
. Id.
. Rizzo v. Children’s World Learning Ctrs., 84 F.3d 758, 762 (5th Cir. 1996).
. Travelers, 7 F.3d at 1206-07.
. Favrot v. Favrot, 2010-0986 (La.App. 4 Cir. 2/9/11); 68 So.3d 1099, 1108-09.
. La. C.C. art. 1756.
. La. C.C. art. 1927.
. La. C.C. arts. 1779 and 1798.
.Rec. Doc. 101-1 at pp. 9-10.
. See id. at pp. 12-13.
. Mundy v. Dept. of Health & Human Res., 620 So.2d 811, 813 (La. 1993).
. Rec. Doc. 101-10 at p. 32.
. Rec. Doc. 154 at p. 2.
. See infra Part IV.D.
. 68 F.3d at 905.
. Id. at 910.
. Id. at p. 14.
. La. Rev. Stat. § 22:1542.
. 291 So.2d 774, 777 (La. 1974).
. See Rec. Doc. 101-1 atp. 15.
. La. Civ. Code art. 2324.
. Thomas v. N. 40 Land Dev., Inc., 04-0610 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1/26/05); 894 So.2d 1160, 1174.
. See Rec. Doc. 101-1 at pp. 16-17.
. Rec. Doc. 127 at pp. 22-23.
. See Travelers, 1 F.3d at 1207.
. Hostetler v. Gray & Co., Inc., 523 So.2d 1359, 1368 (La.App. 2 Cir. 1988).
. Gary v. Camden Fire Ins. Co., 96-0055 (La.7/2/96); 676 So.2d 553, 555.
. Rec. Doc. 127 at p. 23.
. Rajnowski v. St. Patrick's Hosp., 564 So.2d 671, 674 (La. 1990).
. Rec. Doc. 127 at p. 23.
. Rec. Doc. 101.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Terrell Lebeaux WARREN v. Benjamin GELLER
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published