Cowburn v. American States Ins. Co, Unpublished Decision (8-8-2003)
Cowburn v. American States Ins. Co, Unpublished Decision (8-8-2003)
Opinion of the Court
OPINION
{¶ 1} Plaintiff, Ronald W. Cowburn, appeals from a summary judgment for Defendant, American States Insurance Company ("American States"), on Cowburn's claim asking the trial court to declare that he is entitled to uninsured/underinsured motorists (UM/UIM) coverage under a policy of liability insurance that American States issued to Cowburn's employer, Orbit Sheet Metal Company.{¶ 2} Cowburn's claim against American States is predicated on the rule of Scott-Ponzer v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co. (1999),
{¶ 3} On appeal, Cowburn argues that the trial court erred when it granted summary judgment on those grounds because, per Ferrando v.Auto-Owners Mutual Insurance Company,
{¶ 4} American States urges us to follow the rule of Bogan v.Progressive Ins. Co. (1988),
{¶ 5} Summary judgment may be granted only if no genuine issue of material fact remains for determination and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Civ.R. 56(C). We review appeals from summary judgments de novo on the issues of law involved. Navilar v. Osborn
(1998),
{¶ 6} We find that, on this record, and per Ferrando, a genuine issue of material fact remains for determination: whether Cowburn's failure to provide notice of settlement so prejudiced American States that it is entitled to judgment on Cowburn's claim for relief. Therefore, Cowburn's assignment of error is sustained, and the case will be remanded to the trial court for further proceedings in the action.
WOLFF, J. and YOUNG, J., concur.
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