Cincinnati Ins. v. Hpe, Inc., Unpublished Decision (8-22-2005)
Cincinnati Ins. v. Hpe, Inc., Unpublished Decision (8-22-2005)
Opinion of the Court
{¶ 2} On October 25, 2004, Cincinnati filed a declaratory judgment action to determine its duty under the policies. Both parties filed motions for summary judgment. By judgment entry filed January 28, 2005, the trial court found in favor of Cincinnati.
{¶ 3} Appellant filed an appeal and this matter is now before this court for consideration. Assignments of error are as follows:
{¶ 7} Summary Judgment motions are to be resolved in light of the dictates of Civ.R. 56. Said rule was reaffirmed by the Supreme Court of Ohio in State ex rel. Zimmerman v. Tompkins,
{¶ 8} "Civ.R. 56(C) provides that before summary judgment may be granted, it must be determined that (1) no genuine issue as to any material fact remains to be litigated, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and (3) it appears from the evidence that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion, and viewing such evidence most strongly in favor of the nonmoving party, that conclusion is adverse to the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is made. State ex. rel. Parsons v. Fleming (1994),
{¶ 9} As an appellate court reviewing summary judgment motions, we must stand in the shoes of the trial court and review summary judgments on the same standard and evidence as the trial court. Smiddy v. TheWedding Party, Inc. (1987),
{¶ 10} In Willoughby Hills v. Cincinnati Insurance Co. (1984),
{¶ 11} "[W]here the insurer's duty to defend is not apparent from the pleadings in the case against the insured, but the allegations do state a claim which is potentially or arguably within the policy coverage, or there is some doubt as to whether a theory of recovery within the policy coverage had been pleaded, the insurer must accept the defense of the claim."
{¶ 12} In Sanderson v. Ohio Edison Co.,
{¶ 13} "An insurance policy which states that the insurer is obligated to defend in any action seeking damages payable under the policy against the insured, even where the allegations are groundless, false or fraudulent, imposes an absolute duty upon the insurer to assume the defense of the action where the complaint states a claim which is partially or arguably within policy coverage."
{¶ 14} In Cincinnati Insurance Company v. Anders,
{¶ 15} "In Motorists Mut. Ins. Co. v. Trainor (1973),
{¶ 16} "We expanded on Motorists in Willoughby Hills v. CincinnatiIns. Co. (1984),
{¶ 17} "The Willoughby Hills policy stated that the insurance company would indemnify the insured against liability for damage caused by an `occurrence' and would defend against any action against the insured seeking damages resulting from an occurrence `"even if any of the allegations of the suit are groundless, false or fraudulent."' WilloughbyHills,
{¶ 18} "In Preferred Risk Ins. Co. v. Gill (1987),
{¶ 19} "We held that allegations in the complaint did not justify the application of the Willoughby Hills rule by stating, `[W]here the conduct which prompted the underlying * * * suit is so indisputably outside coverage, we discern no basis for requiring the insurance company to defend or indemnify its insured simply because the underlying complaint alleges conduct within coverage.' Preferred Risk,
{¶ 20} Based upon the cited language, we must first examine the allegations in the underlying complaint in order to properly consider the trial court's decision. Paragraph eleven of the complaint alleges the "Plaintiff was terminated because of his disability and/or age and not for cause, as the Defendant failed to reasonably accommodate the Plaintiff by failing to allow the Plaintiff to return to work, despite the fact he was able to perform jobs with the Defendant." Paragraph twelve claims the defendant's "lack of work" excuse was merely "pretext for discrimination as he was actually discharged on account of his perceived disability and/or his age." The causes of action are listed as disability/perceived disability discrimination in violation of R.C.
{¶ 21} Despite appellant's protest to the contrary, there is no other way to characterize the complaint than as an employment dispute under R.C. Chapter 4112. et seq. Our inquiry must resolve the following:
{¶ 22} 1. Whether the allegations in the complaint state a claim that falls either "potentially or arguably" within the insurance coverage.
{¶ 23} 2. Whether the policies in this case provide for defense against allegations that are "groundless, false or fraudulent" if the allegations are arguably within the insurance coverage.
{¶ 24} 3. Whether there is some doubt of the theory of recovery within the complaint.
{¶ 25} With these three inquiries in mind, we will examine the two policies sub judice.
{¶ 27} "This endorsement modifies insurance provided under the following:
{¶ 28} "COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY COVERAGE PART
{¶ 29} "A. The following exclusion is added to paragraph 2., Exclusions of COVERAGE A BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY (Section I Coverages):
{¶ 30} "This insurance does not apply to:
{¶ 31} "1. `Bodily injury' to:
{¶ 32} "a. A person arising out of any:
{¶ 33} "(1) Refusal to employ that person;
{¶ 34} "(2) Termination of that person's employment; or
{¶ 35} "(3) Other employment-related practices, policies, acts or ommissions (sic) including but not limited to coercion, criticism, demotion, evaluation, failure to promote, reassignment, discipline, defamation, harassment, humiliation or discrimination directed at that person; or
{¶ 36} "b. The spouse, child, parent, brother or sister of that person as a consequence of `bodily injury' to that person at whom any of the employment-related practices described in paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) above is directed.
{¶ 37} "This exclusion applies:
{¶ 38} "a. Whether the insured may be liable as an employer or in any other capacity; and
{¶ 39} "b. To any obligation to share damages with or repay someone else who must pay damages because of the injury.
{¶ 40} "B. The following exclusion is added to paragraph 2., Exclusions of COVERAGE B — PERSONAL AND ADVERTISING INJURY LIABILITY (Section I — Coverages):
{¶ 41} "This insurance does not apply to:
{¶ 42} "1. `Personal injury' to:
{¶ 43} "a. A person arising out of any:
{¶ 44} "(1) Refusal to employ that person;
{¶ 45} "(2) Termination of employment; or
{¶ 46} "(3) Other employment-related practices, policies, acts or ommissions (sic) including but not limited to coercion, criticism, demotion, evaluation, failure to promote, reassignment, discipline, defamation, harassment, humiliation or discrimination directed at that person; or
{¶ 47} "b. The spouse, child, parent, brother or sister of that person as a consequence of `personal injury' to that person at whom any of the employment-related practices described in paragraphs (1), (2) or (3) above is directed.
{¶ 48} "This exclusion applies:
{¶ 49} "a. Whether the insured may be liable as an employer or in any other capacity; and
{¶ 50} "b. To any obligation to share damages with or repay someone else who must pay damages because of the injury."
{¶ 51} The plain and unambiguous language of the policy excludes some employment-related practices. The allegations of the complaint place all claims squarely within R.C. Chapter 4112 et seq. and public policy considerations of employment discrimination. Upon review, we conclude there is no colorable potential or arguable claim in the complaint that is not specifically excluded by the commercial general liability policy.
{¶ 53} In addition, the policy provides for the "right and duty to defend" on claims arising out of the policy "even if the allegations are groundless, false, or fraudulent, when":
{¶ 54} "a. The applicable limits of the `underlying insurance' and any other insurance have been exhausted by payment of claims; or
{¶ 55} "b. Damages are sought for `bodily injury', `property damage', `personal injury' or `advertising injury' which are not covered by `underlying insurance' or other insurance."
{¶ 56} At first blush, there appears to be coverage for the allegations in the complaint. However, the policy includes the following exclusions at Section I(B)(7), (8) and (9):
{¶ 57} "This policy does not apply to:
{¶ 58} "7. Employer's Liability Limitation
{¶ 59} "a. An `employee' of the insured arising out of and in the course of employment by the insured or performing duties related to the conduct of the insured's business; or
{¶ 60} "b. The spouse, child, parent, brother or sister of that `employee' as a consequence of a. above.
{¶ 61} "This exclusion applies:
{¶ 62} "a. Whether the insured may be liable as an employer or in any other capacity; and
{¶ 63} "b. To any obligation to share damages with or repay someone else who must pay damages because of the injury.
{¶ 64} "This exclusion does not apply when such insurance is provided by a valid and collectible policy listed in the Schedule of Underlying Policies, or would have been provided by such listed policy except for the exhaustion by payment of claims of its limits of insurance, and then only for such hazards for which coverage is provided by such `underlying insurance.'
{¶ 65} "8. Employment Related Practices
{¶ 66} "`Bodily Injury' or `personal injury' to:
{¶ 67} "a. A person arising out of any:
{¶ 68} "(1) Refusal to employ that person;
{¶ 69} "(2) Termination of that person's employment; or
{¶ 70} "(3) Other employment-related practices, policies, acts or omissions including but not limited to coercion, criticism, demotion, evaluation, failure to promote, reassignment, discipline, defamation, harassment, humiliation or discrimination directed at that person; or
{¶ 71} "b. The spouse, child, parent, brother or sister of that person as a consequence of `bodily injury' or `personal injury' to that person at whom any of the employment-related practices described in Paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) above is directed.
{¶ 72} "This exclusion applies:
{¶ 73} "a. Whether the insured may be liable as an employer or in any other capacity; and
{¶ 74} "b. To any obligation to share damages with or repay someone else who must pay damages because of the injury.
{¶ 75} "9. Expected or Intended Injury
{¶ 76} "`Bodily Injury' or `property damage' which may reasonably be expected to result from the intentional or criminal acts of the insured or which is in fact expected or intended by the insured even if the injury or damage is of a different degree or type than actually intended or expected.
{¶ 77} "This exclusion does not apply to `bodily injury' resulting from the use of reasonable force to protect persons or property."
{¶ 78} Despite the language referenced supra of providing a defense for "groundless, false, or fraudulent" claims, we find the specific exclusions clearly exempt coverage for the potential or possible allegations in the complaint. The "claims" as set forth in the complaint must still be within the possible realm of coverage. The claims sub judice are not.
{¶ 79} Upon review, we find the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment to Cincinnati.
{¶ 80} Assignments of Error I and II are denied.
{¶ 81} The judgment of the Court of Common Pleas of Stark County, Ohio is hereby affirmed.
By Farmer, J. Hoffman, P.J. and Edwards, J. concur.
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