Safeco Ins. Co. of Am. v. Schweitzer
Safeco Ins. Co. of Am. v. Schweitzer
Opinion of the Court
This is an insurance coverage declaratory judgment action pursuant to
Background
The relevant facts in this matter are undisputed. C.A. is a minor child who, through his mother Christy Owens ("Owens"), has a pending civil action for damages in state court against his middle school teacher, Amanda Schweitzer ("Amanda"), and Amanda's husband, Jonah Schweitzer ("Jonah"). C.A.'s civil action stems from the allegation that Amanda groomed and subsequently engaged in sexual intercourse with C.A. Amanda has been charged with crimes for her alleged sexual misconduct. Amanda and Jonah are insured under a Safeco homeowners' insurance policy. After Owens and C.A. made a demand on Safeco for payment of the policy proceeds, Safeco brought this declaratory judgment action naming as defendants: Amanda, Jonah, C.A., and Owens. In its motion for judgment on the pleadings, Safeco requests for judgment to be entered in its favor by declaring that there is *887no coverage under the policy for C.A.'s claims against Amanda and Jonah.
To date, neither Amanda nor Jonah Schweitzer has appeared in this action. The Clerk of the Court previously entered defaults against Amanda and Jonah. (Docs. 14, 20.) However, Safeco has not submitted a motion for default judgment as to these defendants. Accordingly, the Court will address Safeco's motion for judgment on the pleadings as to Defendants C.A. and Christy Owens only.
A. The Underlying State Civil Action
Analysis of the arguments at issue requires review of the petition filed by C.A. in state court (the "Petition"). C.A. sues Amanda for negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count I) and false imprisonment (Count II) and sues Jonah for negligence (Count III). The factual allegations which are common to all counts are as follows:
6. C.A. was a student at North Middle School during the 2016-17 school year.
7. During that same year, [Amanda] was an adult female teacher employed by the Joplin School District ("JSD") at North Middle School where she served as a teacher to C.A.
8. In early 2017, [Amanda] began grooming C.A. via social media and text message in violation of JSD policies.
9. On or about March 29, 2017, C.A. was late for the bus and subsequently missed school.
10. [Amanda] messaged C.A. when she noticed he was not at school.
11. [Amanda] subsequently drove to his home and picked him up without the consent of his mother.
12. While at her home, [Amanda] engaged in sexual intercourse with C.A.
13. As a result of the encounter, C.A. has sustained emotional injuries.
14. In addition, C.A. was forced to finish the semester off campus after the encounter with [Amanda] came to light. He subsequently transferred schools.
(Doc. 1-2 at 2.)
Each count sets out additional relevant allegations. In Count I, for negligent infliction of emotional distress against Amanda, the Petition alleges that Amanda breached a duty to C.A. "by engaging in sexual intercourse with the minor[, C.A]." (Doc. 1-2 at ¶ 18.) "By engaging in sex with C.A. at her home, it must have been foreseeable to [Amanda] that her conduct involved an unreasonable risk of causing distress to him." (Id. at ¶ 20.) In Count II, for false imprisonment against Amanda, the Petition alleges that "[b]y falsely imprisoning C.A. at her home and subsequently engaging in sex with him there, it must have been foreseeable to [Amanda] that her conduct involved an unreasonable risk of causing distress to the minor." (Id. at ¶ 26.)
Count III is the sole count against Jonah. In Count III, the Petition alleges that Jonah "knew, or should have known, of the proclivities of his wife to 'groom' young, male students and prey on them for sex." (Id. at ¶ 30.) The Petition further alleges that despite this knowledge, Jonah was negligent for:
a. Failing to warn others of his wife's dangerous proclivities;
b. Failing to timely call the police;
c. Failing to protect C.A., while he was at the home [Jonah] shared with [Amanda], from the foreseeable criminal conduct of [Amanda]; [and]
d. Failing to take reasonable measures to ensure [Amanda] would never be alone at home with a minor ....
(Doc. 1-2 at ¶ 31(a)-(d) ).
B. The Homeowner's Insurance Policy
Also necessary to the analysis is a review of the relevant definition and exclusion *888provisions in Safeco's policy issued to Amanda and Jonah.
The policy contains the following three relevant exclusions. First, the policy excludes from coverage bodily injury:
which is expected or intended by any insured or which is the foreseeable result of an act or omission intended by any insured;
This exclusion applies even if:
(1) Such bodily injury ... is of a different kind or degree than expected or intended; or
(2) Such bodily injury ... is sustained by a different person, or persons, than expected or intended.
(Id. at 26.) Second, the policy excludes from coverage bodily injury "which results from violation of criminal law committed by, or with the knowledge or consent of any insured. This exclusion applies whether or not any insured is charged or convicted of a violation of criminal law[.]" (Id. at 27.) Third, the policy excludes from coverage bodily injury "arising out of physical or mental abuse, sexual molestation or sexual harassment." (Id. at 29.) The Court will refer to the three exclusions using Safeco's labels, respectively: (1) the expected/intended injury exclusion, (2) the violation of criminal law exclusion, and (3) the physical, mental, or sexual abuse exclusion.
Legal Standards
A. Judgment on the Pleadings Standard
"After the pleadings are closed-but early enough not to delay trial-a party may move for judgment on the pleadings." Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c). "Judgment on the pleadings is appropriate only when there is no dispute as to any material facts and the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, the same standard used to address a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim under Rule 12(b)(6) [.]" Ashley County v. Pfizer, Inc. ,
B. Missouri Insurance Law
Because jurisdiction in this case is based on diversity, the Court applies state substantive law, and the parties do not dispute that Missouri law applies. Schwan's Sales Enters., Inc. v. SIG Pack, Inc. ,
The general rules for interpretation of other contracts apply to insurance contracts as well. The key is whether the contract language is ambiguous or unambiguous. When there is ambiguity in an insurance policy, the Court must interpret the policy in favor of the insured. However, where insurance policies are unambiguous, they will be enforced as written.
Todd v. Mo. United Sch. Ins. Council ,
The party seeking to establish coverage under the insurance policy has the burden of proving that the claim is covered by the policy. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. D.T.S. ,
"Disputes arising from interpretations and application of insurance contracts are matters of law for the court where there are no underlying facts in dispute." Centermark Props. v. Home ndem. Co. ,
Discussion
A. The Parties' Arguments
With the background and relevant legal standards as the framework, the Court turns to the arguments in the motion as to whether the policy covers C.A.'s claims against Amanda and Jonah. The facts are undisputed and the coverage issue can be decided as a matter of law.
In the instant motion, Safeco maintains that by the unambiguous terms of the insurance policy at issue, and pursuant to Missouri public policy, there is no insurance coverage available to the perpetrator of sexual abuse of a minor for her misconduct. Safeco also argues that coverage is excluded for both Amanda and Jonah under three different exclusions: (1) the expected/intended injury exclusion, (2) the violation of criminal law exclusion, and (3) the physical, mental, or sexual abuse exclusion. Safeco contends that if any one of these exclusions is found to apply, there is no coverage available under the policy.
Defendants do not contest Safeco's position that the policy does not cover C.A.'s claims against Amanda. Rather, in response to Safeco's motion, Defendants Owens and C.A. (collectively, "Defendants") argue that the application of the doctrine of concurrent proximate causation permits coverage for C.A.'s claim against Jonah because the claim constitutes an independent and distinct act of negligence that does not involve excluded conduct.
Although Defendants appear to concede that there is no coverage for Amanda, the Court must still determine whether Safeco is entitled to judgment as a matter of law that there is no coverage for Amanda.
*890Then, the Court must consider whether, notwithstanding the issue of coverage for Amanda, there is coverage for Jonah based on the doctrine of concurrent proximate causation.
B. Terms of the Policy as to Amanda
Upon review, the Court is persuaded that there is no coverage for C.A.'s claims against Amanda based on the unambiguous terms of the policy. The Court notes that Defendants raise no argument that the language of the policy is ambiguous. To begin, the policy provides coverage if a claim is brought against an insured for damages because of bodily injury caused by an occurrence. (Doc. 1-3 at 26.) The policy defines an "occurrence" to mean an "accident." (Id. at 37.) Although the policy does not define "accident," by its common meaning it is "[a]n event that takes place without one's foresight or expectation." Am. States Ins. Co. v. Mathis ,
The Petition in the underlying state civil action alleges that Amanda was negligent, which would suggest coverage. However, the fact that C.A.'s suit alleges a claim for negligence against Amanda does not alter the inherently intentional nature of Amanda's alleged misconduct. California Cas. Gen. Ins. Co. v. Nelson , No. 14-0604-CV-W-BP,
C. Policy Exclusions as to Amanda and Jonah
In addition, even strictly construing the exclusions against Safeco, coverage for Amanda and Jonah is excluded by (1) the expected/intended injury exclusion, (2) the violation of criminal law exclusion, and (3) the physical, mental, or sexual abuse exclusion.
First, there is no coverage for C.A.'s claims against Amanda and Jonah based on the expected/intended injury exclusion because "it is well settled that sexual molestation is an intentional act falling within the 'intended or expected' exclusion in general liability insurance cases." Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co. v. Copeland-Williams ,
Second, the policy also excludes from coverage bodily injury "which results from violation of criminal law committed by, or with the knowledge or consent of any insured." (Id. at 27.) Amanda has been charged with crimes for the same conduct alleged in C.A.'s Petition. Even though the charges are still pending, the "exclusion applies whether or not any insured is charged or convicted of a violation of criminal law[.]" (Doc. 1-3 at 27.) For the same reasons addressed with respect to the expected/intended injury exclusion, there is no coverage for Jonah because the violation of criminal law exclusion applies to such violations by "any insured." Further, this exclusion applies to exclude coverage for criminal acts committed "with the knowledge or consent of any insured." (Id. ) The Petition specifically alleges that Jonah "knew, or should have known, of the proclivities of his wife to 'groom' young, male students and prey on them for sex." (Doc. 1-2 at 5.) Therefore, the plain and unambiguous terms of the violation of criminal law exclusion prevents coverage for both Amanda and Jonah.
A third exclusion in the policy excludes from coverage bodily injury "arising out of physical or mental abuse, sexual molestation or sexual harassment." (Doc. 1-3 at 29.) The cause of the harm alleged in the Petition arose from an alleged sexual molestation, such that any act arising out of sexual molestation, no matter who committed the act, is not covered. See Nationwide Affinity Ins. Co. v. Rutledge , No. 4:15 CV 1757 RWS,
D. Doctrine of Concurrent Proximate Causation as to Jonah
The only remaining question is whether, notwithstanding the exclusions, there is coverage for Jonah based on the doctrine of concurrent proximate causation.
Missouri courts have recognized "that where an insured risk and an excluded risk constitute concurrent proximate causes of an accident, a liability insurer is liable as long as one of the causes is covered by the policy." Bowan ex. rel. Bowan vs. General Sec. Indem. Co. of Arizona ,
Defendants support their position that the doctrine applies with three state court of appeals decisions- Braxton , Bowan , and Intermed -where coverage was found. In Braxton , coverage was found for injuries sustained by a customer shot by an employee despite the policy's firearm exclusion where the business owner's negligent supervision of the employee was a separate, concurrent, and non-excluded cause of owner's liability.
*892Braxton v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co. ,
Following Braxton , in Bowan , coverage was found for injuries sustained in an auto accident by a disabled passenger despite the policy's auto operation exclusion because the transportation company's negligent failure to properly secure the passenger in the vehicle was a distinct act that did not necessarily involve the operation of the vehicle.
In Intermed , coverage was found for injuries sustained by a patient who was assaulted by a physician's assistant ("PA") under the guise of a medical examination despite the policy's intentional assault exclusion because the clinic's negligent failure to supervise the PA was distinct from the excluded conduct, and did not require proof of an offensive touching. Intermed Ins. Co. v. Hill ,
Recently, the court of appeals again considered the application of the doctrine of concurrent proximate causation in Parnell . In Parnell , coverage was found for injuries sustained by a minor who was sexually assaulted by her daycare providers' son despite the intentional injury and/or abusive acts exclusions because the "obligation and ability to supervise and control [the minor] are the decisive factors" in the negligence supervision claim against the daycare providers.
A recent decision from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Missouri is instructive. In Rutledge , a college student sued for damages after he was assaulted by a fellow student at a fraternity party.
Here, C.A. alleges that Jonah was negligent because he "knew, or should have known, of the proclivities of his wife to 'groom' young, male students and prey on them for sex." (Doc. 1-2 at 5.) C.A. alleges that Jonah was negligent by failing to warn others of his wife's dangerous proclivities; failing to timely call the police; failing to protect C.A. while he was at the Schweitzer's home from the foreseeable conduct of Amanda; and failing to take reasonable measures to ensure Amanda would never be alone at home with a minor. (Id. at ¶ 31(a)-(d).)
Unlike Braxton , Bowan , Intermed , and Parnell , based on the facts alleged in this case, if the Court were to *893set aside Amanda's "dangerous proclivities," Jonah would not owe a duty to C.A. The only duty Jonah is alleged to owe to C.A. is premised on Amanda's "dangerous proclivities." As in Rutledge , without the excluded sexual misconduct, C.A. would not have been injured and there would be no basis for his action against Jonah. Therefore, the cause (Jonah's failure to act) is not independent and distinct from the excluded cause (Amanda's intentional acts). The Court therefore declines to apply the doctrine of concurrent proximate cause to permit coverage for Jonah. Consequently, Defendants have not met their burden of proving coverage for the claims against Amanda and Jonah.
Conclusion
Safeco is entitled to judgment as a matter of law as against Defendants C.A. and Owens because (1) there is no coverage under the policy for the claims against Amanda and Jonah Schweitzer and (2) the doctrine of concurrent causation is inapplicable to the claims against Jonah Schweitzer. However, although the Clerk previously entered defaults against Amanda and Jonah Schweitzer (Docs. 14, 20), Safeco has not submitted a motion for default judgment as to these defendants. See Mo. Drywall Supply Inc. ex rel. Mo. Drywall Supply Inc. v. Commer. Drywall Corp. , No. 6:17-03408-CV-RK,
Accordingly, the Court ORDERS as follows:
1. The Motion for Judgment on the Pleadings filed by Plaintiff Safeco Insurance Company of America is GRANTED in part as to Defendants C.A. and Christy Owens. (Doc. 22.)
2. Safeco is directed to show cause on or before April 10, 2019, why this case should not be dismissed as against Amanda and Jonah Schweitzer for failure to prosecute. If Safeco fails to show cause or file a motion for default judgment on or before April 10, 2019, the case will be dismissed as to these defendants without further notice.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
The policy is proper for the Court's consideration because it is attached to the Complaint and necessarily embraced by it. See Porous Media Corp. v. Pall Corp. ,
Reference
- Full Case Name
- SAFECO INSURANCE COMPANY OF AMERICA v. Amanda Ruth SCHWEITZER, Jonah Schweitzer, Christy Owens, C.A., a Minor Child
- Cited By
- 3 cases
- Status
- Published