Mason v. Royal Insurance Co. of America, Unpublished Decision (12-15-2003)
Mason v. Royal Insurance Co. of America, Unpublished Decision (12-15-2003)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 3} On or about January 19, 1999, Heath Mason, acting in his individual capacity and in his capacity as executor of Daniel Mason's Estate, signed a "Release of Claims" in favor of the tortfeasor, Janelle Brown. By so doing, all claims against Janelle Brown in connection with the August 8, 1998, accident were released in exchange for a payment of $100,000.00.
{¶ 4} On February 21, 2001, appellee filed a declaratory judgment action against American National and a number of other insurance companies.1 In the complaint, appellee alleged that American National insured Daniel Mason and Heath Mason under three separate policies of insurance, issued by American National to Trilogy Plastics, Inc., Heath Mason's employer. The coverage was sought pursuant to Scott-Pontzer v.Liberty Mut. Ins. Co. (1999),
{¶ 5} On December 5, 2001, appellee filed a Motion for Summary Judgment alleging entitlement to benefits under Trilogy Plastic, Inc.'s American National policies. On that same date, appellant, American National, filed a Motion for Summary Judgment as well.
{¶ 6} On December 16, 2002, the trial court filed a Judgment Entry, which found that: 1) the American National commercial auto liability policy did extend coverage to Daniel Mason's Estate and to Heath Mason in the amount of $1,000,000.00; 2) the American National commercial general liability policy did extend coverage to Daniel Mason's Estate and to Heath Mason in the amount of $1,000,000.00; and 3) the American National umbrella policy did extend coverage to Daniel Mason's Estate and to Heath Mason in the amount of $2,000,000.00. On December 20, 2002, the trial court filed a Nunc Pro Tunc Order adding Civ. R. 54(B) language.
{¶ 7} Thus, it is from the December 20, 2002, Judgment Entry of the trial court that appellant appeals, raising the following assignments of error:
{¶ 8} "I. The trial court erred in finding that the American National Fire Commercial Automobile policy provided underinsured motorist coverage for Heath Mason and the estate of Daniel Mason.
{¶ 9} "II. The trial court erred in finding that the American National Fire CGL policy was an automobile liability Insurance Policy subject to R.C.
{¶ 10} "III. The trial court erred in finding that the American National Fire Umbrella policy provided underinsured motorist coverage to appellees."
{¶ 12} Appellee-plaintiff Heath Mason was an employee of Trilogy Plastics. Daniel Mason was Heath Mason's family member (father).
{¶ 13} Daniel Mason was killed while operating his own motorcycle while on personal business. Heath Mason is Daniel Mason's son. InWestfield Insurance Company v. Galatis, the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that "a policy of insurance that names a corporation as an insured for uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage covers a loss sustained by an employee of the corporation only if the loss occurs within the course and scope of employment." Westfield Insurance Company v. Galatis,
{¶ 14} It is undisputed that the accident in this case did not involve an employee of Trilogy Plastics or Trilogy Southern while in the course and scope of employment. Furthermore, neither Heath nor Daniel Mason are named insureds. Thus, assuming arguendo, that the CAP provided UM/UIM coverage by operation of law, appellees would not be insureds. Accordingly, we find that, pursuant to Galatis, appellees are not entitled to coverage.
{¶ 15} Thus, appellant American National's first assignment of error is sustained.
{¶ 17} Assuming, arguendo, that the CGL would be considered an automobile liability policy, through which coverage arose by operation of law, appellees are not entitled to UM/UIM coverage. Pursuant to the Ohio Supreme Court's recent decision in Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis,
{¶ 18} Accordingly, appellant's second assignment of error is sustained.
{¶ 20} American National implicitly concedes that UM/UIM coverage arose by operation of law. However, as stated in assignment of error II, such coverage extends only to employees who suffer the loss or injury while in the course and scope of their employment. Westfield Ins. Co. v.Galatis,
{¶ 21} Appellant's third assignment of error is sustained.
{¶ 22} The judgment of the Stark County Court of Common pleas is reversed and judgment shall be entered in favor of appellant American National Fire Insurance Company on its Motion for Summary Judgment regarding its general liability policy, business automobile policy and umbrella policy issued to Trilogy Plastics, Inc.
Edwards, J., Gwin, P.J. and Hoffman, J. concur.
For the reasons stated in our accompanying Memorandum-Opinion on file, the judgment of the Stark County Court of Common Pleas is reversed. Judgment is granted to appellant American National Fire Insurance Company on its Motion for Summary Judgment regarding its general liability policy, business automobile policy and umbrella policy issued to Trilogy Plastics, Inc. Costs assessed to appellees.
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