Barnby v. Natl. Union Fire Insurance Co., Unpublished Decision (12-17-2003)
Barnby v. Natl. Union Fire Insurance Co., Unpublished Decision (12-17-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 3} Steven's father was employed by Plasti-kote Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valspar Corporation. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh PA had issued a commercial auto liability insurance policy ("CA policy"), a commercial general liability insurance policy ("GL policy"), and an umbrella/excess liability insurance policy ("BE policy") to Valspar Corporation.
{¶ 4} The record consists of numerous filings. Therefore, this Court will limit its recitation of the procedural history to the filings relevant to the present appeal.
{¶ 5} On April 14, 2000, the Barnbys sent a notice of claim to National Union for underinsured motorist benefits under the CA policy, GL policy, and BE policy issued to Valspar, Inc. The CA policy contained an Ohio Uninsured Motorist Endorsement. Both the CA policy and the GL policy are scheduled underlying policies to the BE policy.
{¶ 6} On February 5, 2001, National Union issued a coverage opinion regarding the Barnbys' claim for underinsured motorist benefits demanding that the matter proceed to arbitration. The Barnbys responded to National Union's demand for arbitration on February 21, 2001. However, National Union and the Barnbys entered into a settlement and release regarding the $2 million limits of the CA policy without arbitration.
{¶ 7} On September 10, 2001, National Union filed a motion for partial summary judgment regarding the BE policy. On September 24, 2001, The Barnbys opposed National Union's motion for partial summary judgment and filed a cross motion for summary judgment on the BE policy.
{¶ 8} In an entry dated January 9, 2002, the trial court denied both parties' request for summary judgment.
{¶ 9} On January 25, 2002, the Barnbys filed a second amended complaint. On March 19, 2002, National Union filed an answer and counterclaim for declaratory judgment.
{¶ 10} On May 22, 2002, National Union filed a motion to compel arbitration of any non coverage issues in the matter. On May 28, 2002, National Union filed a motion to reconsider and/or renewed and/or supplemental motion for summary judgment and/or motion for summary judgment. On May 30, 2002, the Barnbys filed a brief in response to National Union's motion to compel arbitration, agreeing to submit to arbitration on the issue of damages. The Barnbys also filed a motion for stay of proceedings pending arbitration. The trial court ordered the matter to arbitration to be completed by October 31, 2002. The arbitrator issued an arbitration award in favor of Steven and against National Union for approximately $4 million against the BE policy.
{¶ 11} On January 21, 2003, the Barnbys responded to National Union's filing on May 28, 2002, as well as a cross motion for summary judgment regarding the BE policy. The Barnbys also filed a motions to confirm the arbitration award and for prejudgment interest. The trial court awarded summary judgment to National Union regarding the sole issue of Steven Barnby's status as an "insured" under the BE policy.
{¶ 12} The Barnbys timely appealed, setting forth four assignments of error for review. This Court has combined the Barnbys' four assignments of error in order to facilitate review.
{¶ 13} The Barnbys' four assignments of error all stem from the assumption that Steven was entitled to underinsured motorist benefits under Valspur's insurance policies pursuant to the Supreme Court of Ohio's ruling in Scott-Pontzer v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co. (1999),
{¶ 14} In Galatis, the Court limited its decision in Scott-Pontzer by "restricting the application of uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage issued to a corporation to employees only while they are acting within the course and scope of their employment, unless otherwise specifically agreed." Id. at ¶ 2. Furthermore, the Court held:
"Where a policy of insurance designates a corporation as a named insured, the designation of `family members' of the named insured as other insureds does not extend insurance coverage to a family member of an employee of the corporation, unless that employee is also a named insured. (Ezawa v. Yasuda Fire Marine Ins. Co. of Am. 1999,
{¶ 15} In the present case, Steven's father was not involved in the accident that led to the filing of this action. Furthermore, Steven's father was not a named insured on Valspur's insurance policies. Therefore, Steven would not be an insured under Valspur's policies.
{¶ 16} Having concluded that Galatis is dispositive of this appeal, this Court finds that summary judgment was properly granted in favor of National Union.
Judgment affirmed.
The Court finds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
We order that a special mandate issue out of this Court, directing the Court of Common Pleas, County of Medina, State of Ohio, to carry this judgment into execution. A certified copy of this journal entry shall constitute the mandate, pursuant to App.R. 27.
Immediately upon the filing hereof, this document shall constitute the journal entry of judgment, and it shall be file stamped by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals at which time the period for review shall begin to run. App.R. 22(E). The Clerk of the Court of Appeals is instructed to mail a notice of entry of this judgment to the parties and to make a notation of the mailing in the docket, pursuant to App.R. 30.
Costs taxed to appellant.
Exceptions.
Slaby, P.J., and Baird, J., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Steven Barnby v. National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, Pa
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Unpublished