Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. v. Bebsz, Unpublished Decision (12-24-2003)
Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Co. v. Bebsz, Unpublished Decision (12-24-2003)
Dissenting Opinion
{¶ 41} On this appeal and cross appeal from Judge William J. Coyne's order, I concur in part and respectfully dissent in part because, under Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis,3 Raymond Bebsz may still have a claim for loss of consortium under the Lumbermens Truckers Coverage Policy, and because the question of UIM coverage under the Texas policy is moot. I agree that this case should be remanded, but not for the reason stated by the majority.
{¶ 42} At the beginning of his oral argument, the Bebszes' lawyer conceded that the Texas policy did not provide UIM coverage for his clients and devoted the remainder of his time and rebuttal to whether the "Broadened Coverage" endorsement in the Truckers Policy identified Mr. and Mrs. Bebsz as insureds. Apparently the majority did not hear that admission and would remand the case to determine the state law that governs the provisions of the Texas policy, although that issue is moot.
{¶ 43} The majority, however, in determining that Mrs. Bebsz is not an insured under the Truckers Policy, has overlooked the individual claims of Mr. Bebsz that arose out of the injuries to his wife, and overlooked the limited nature of the Ohio Supreme Court's assault onScott-Pontzer v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co.4 The pre-2001 version of R.C.
"Absent specific language to the contrary, a policy of insurance thatnames a corporation as an insured for uninsured or underinsured motoristcoverage covers a loss sustained by an employee of the corporation onlyif the loss occurs within the course and scope of employment."6
{¶ 44} The record does not reveal in what capacity Mr. Bebsz was employed by Cleaners Hanger Company, the named insured under the Truckers Policy, nor does the record reveal his work schedule. Mrs. Bebsz was injured on January 5, 1999, a Tuesday, at 11:45 a.m., and he may have been on the job and doing his work at that time. His loss, therefore, could have occurred within the course and scope of his employment and he would be eligible for coverage under the Truckers Policy pursuant toMoore.
{¶ 45} Galatis was limited to whether the estate of a dead son could claim UIM coverage under a master insurance policy issued to his mother's employer. That is not the case here. I agree that Mrs. Bebsz is not an insured under the Truckers Policy but disagree that Lumbermens was "properly awarded summary judgment as to the Truckers Policy Coverage" on the claims of Mr. Bebsz. I would remand for the purpose of determining whether he was working when his wife was injured and, if so, I would find that he is a UIM insured under that policy.
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On January 5, 1999, appellant Laura Bebsz was injured in a motor vehicle accident while riding as a passenger in Patricia Young's vehicle. It is undisputed that the collision, which occurred in Cleveland, Ohio, did not occur in connection with the course and scope of Raymond's employment. With the permission of Lumbermens, Laura settled her claim against Young for the limits of Young's insurance and it is undisputed that the limits of Young's insurance are less than the limits of the policies at issue herein. Appellants then sought coverage under a Trucker's Coverage Policy, No. 3MA767926-04, (hereafter "Truckers Coverage Policy") and a Commercial Automobile Liability No. F3DO11648-04 (hereafter referred to as the "Texas Policy") issued by Lumbermens to Raymond's employer, Cleaner Hangers Company.
{¶ 3} In relevant part, the Trucker's Coverage policy provides:
{¶ 4} "1. Named Insured * * * Cleaners Hanger Company * * *
{¶ 5} "Who is an Insured
{¶ 6} "1) You.
{¶ 7} "2) If you are an individual, any `family member.'
{¶ 8} "3) Anyone else `occupying' a covered `auto' or temporary substitute for a covered `auto.' The covered `auto' must be out of service because of its breakdown, repair, servicing, loss or destruction.
{¶ 9} "4) Anyone for damages he is entitled to recover because of `bodily injury' sustained by another `insured.'
* * *
{¶ 10} "Drive other car coverage — Broadened for named Individuals"
* * *
{¶ 11} "2. The following is added to Who is an Insured:
{¶ 12} "Any individual named in the Schedule and his or her spouse, while a resident of the same household, are "insureds" while using any covered "auto" described in paragraph B.1. of this endorsement." (Emphasis added).
{¶ 13} The record reflects that the Endorsement listed "BLANKET ALL EMPLOYEES." However, before the collision, the Endorsement was revised to list "Glenn Reid," per form CA 9910 (Ed. 01 87) and "Mike Ruen" and "John Troy," per form CA 9910 (Ed. 07 97). At no time was Raymond Bebsz's name listed on any Broadened Coverage for Named Individual Endorsement.
{¶ 14} With regard to the second policy, i.e., the Texas policy, we note that this policy provides in relevant part as follows:
{¶ 15} "1. Named Insured * * * Cleaners Hanger Company * * *
{¶ 16} "Who is an insured
{¶ 17} "1) You and any `designated person' and any `family member' of either.
{¶ 18} "2) Any other person `occupying' a `covered auto.'
* * *
{¶ 19} "Drive other car coverage — broadened for named individuals"
* * *
{¶ 20} "2. The following is added to WHO IS AN INSURED:
{¶ 21} "Any individual named in the Schedule and his or her spouse, while a resident of the same household, are "insureds" while using any covered "auto" described in paragraph B.1. of this endorsement." (Emphasis added).
{¶ 22} The record reflects that the Endorsement listed "BLANKET ALL EMPLOYEES." However, effective July 1, 1998 until July 1, 1999, the Endorsement was revised to list "Tom Ramey," per form TE 9910B (Ed. 03 92). At no time was Raymond Bebsz's name listed on any Broadened Coverage for Named Individual Endorsement.
{¶ 23} Appellants moved for summary judgment, maintaining that Laura is an "insured" under both corporate policies pursuant to the Supreme Court's interpretation of this term in Scott-Pontzer v. LibertyMutual Ins.,
BEBSZS' APPEAL
{¶ 24} Within their assignments of error,1 appellants assert that the trial court erred by holding that they were not insureds under the Trucker's Coverage Policy and the Texas policy.
{¶ 25} We employ a de novo review in determining whether summary judgment was properly granted. Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co.,
{¶ 26} Summary judgment is appropriate where: "(1) there is no genuine issue of material fact, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and (3) reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party, said party being entitled to have the evidence construed most strongly in his favor."Horton v. Harwick Chem. Corp. (1995),
{¶ 27} Once the moving party satisfies its burden, the nonmoving party "may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of the party's pleadings, but the party's response, by affidavit or as otherwise provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial." Civ.R. 56(E); Mootispaw v. Eckstein,
{¶ 29} "1. You.
{¶ 30} "2. If you are an individual, any family member."
{¶ 31} The Court held that "where a commercial auto policy issued to a corporation defined the named insured as `you' and `if you are an individual, any family member,'" such policy language was ambiguous. The Court further found that because a corporation cannot occupy an automobile or suffer from bodily injury, it was meaningless to limit protection solely to the corporation. The Court therefore found that "you" included employees of the corporation.
{¶ 32} In Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis,
{¶ 33} In this matter, the Trucker's Coverage Policy was issued to a corporation and defines "who is an insured" as "you" and "If you are an individual, any `family member.'" As to the first of these definitions, we hold that by application of the Supreme Court's pronouncements inWestfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis, supra, the term "you" must be construed to provide coverage to employees acting within the scope of their employment. Because it is undisputed that Laura Bebsz was not an employee of Cleaner Hanger Company at the time of her injury, she is not an insured "you" under the policy. Laura Bebsz is a "family member" of Raymond Bebsz, but the record reveals that Raymond is not a named insured by any endorsement in effect at the time of the accident at issue herein. That is, although a "Drive other car coverage — broadened for named individuals" endorsement which listed "Blanket all Employees," had been issued, prior to the collision at issue, the Endorsement was revised to list "Glenn Reid," per form CA 9910 (Ed. 01 87) and "Mike Ruen" and "John Troy," per form CA 9910 (Ed. 07 97). At the relevant time, Raymond Bebsz's name listed on any Broadened Coverage for Named Individual Endorsement. Accordingly, there are no genuine issues of material fact, and Lumbermens was properly awarded summary judgment as to the Trucker's Coverage Policy. We therefore affirm the judgment of the trial court as it pertains to this policy, albeit for different reasons than those stated by the trial judge. Cf. Myers v. Garson (1993),
{¶ 35} As an initial matter, we note that our examination of the Texas policy, F3DO11648-04, does not reveal whether Cleaners Hanger Company owns any vehicles registered or principally garaged in Ohio as the record indicates only that there is a "Schedule on file with the company" that lists such vehicles and the place where they are principally garaged. We therefore cannot determine whether the policy was "delivered or issued for delivery in this state with respect to any motor vehicle registered or principally garaged in this state" within the meaning of R.C.
{¶ 36} Further, the parties did not indicate which state's law would govern their contractual rights and duties. Accordingly, pursuant to Ohayon v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Illinois,
{¶ 37} Nonetheless, we note that the policy indicates a Florida address for Cleaner Hanger Company, and there is no evidence in the record as to the place of contracting, the place of negotiation, the place of performance, the location of the subject matter, and the domicile, residence, nationality, and place of incorporation. We therefore conclude that there are genuine issues of material fact as to which state's laws govern the Texas policy. Moreover, we cannot say as a matter of law whether a Scott-Pontzer-type claim could be maintained under the policy until such governing state is identified. Cf. McDonaldv. Williamson, Cuyahoga App. No. 81590, 2003-Ohio-4801; Ohayon v. SafecoCo. Of Illinois,
{¶ 38} In accordance with the foregoing, the judgment of the trial court, as it pertains to the Texas policy, is reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
{¶ 40} The judgment of the trial court is affirmed as to the as to the Trucker's Coverage Policy on authority of Westfield Ins. Co. v.Galatis, supra, and the judgment of the trial court, as it pertains to the Texas policy, is reversed and remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
James J. Sweeney, J., concurs.
Anne L. Kilbane, P.J., Concurs in part and dissents in part (see attached separate opinion).
"2. The trial court committed error by holding that the addition of an additional names insured under a Drive Other Car-Broadened Coverage for Named Individuals removed any ambiguity that may be contained under the `who is an insured' section of the policy of insurance known as Commercial Automobile Liability policy F3DO11648-04 (the `Texas' policy) issued by the Appellee to the employer of the Appellant, Raymond Bebsz, thereby rendering summary judgment in favor of the Appellees inappropriate and summary judgment in favor of the Appellants appropriate as a matter of law."
"Appellant Laura Bebsz is not entitled to Ohio UM/UIM benefits under the Lumbermens Truckers Coverage Policy because she was not occupying a covered auto."
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