Progressive Gulf Insurance Company v. Dickerson and Bowen, Inc. ( 2006 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF MISSISSIPPI
NO. 2006-CA-01250-SCT
PROGRESSIVE GULF INSURANCE COMPANY
v.
DICKERSON AND BOWEN, INC., AND
TRAVELERS INDEMNITY COMPANY OF
ILLINOIS
DATE OF JUDGMENT: 06/28/2006
TRIAL JUDGE: HON. JANNIE M. LEWIS
COURT FROM WHICH APPEALED: HOLMES COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT
ATTORNEY FOR APPELLANT: CECIL MAISON HEIDELBERG
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES: JENNIFER W. YARBOROUGH
JOHN STEPHEN GRAHAM
NATURE OF THE CASE: CIVIL - INSURANCE
DISPOSITION: REVERSED AND RENDERED - 10/04/2007
MOTION FOR REHEARING FILED:
MANDATE ISSUED:
BEFORE WALLER, P.J., EASLEY AND CARLSON, JJ.
EASLEY, JUSTICE, FOR THE COURT:
PROCEDURAL HISTORY
¶1. This appeal involves litigation between two insurance companies on the issue of
indemnification and stems from prior litigation which resulted in a jury verdict and a
subsequent settlement. Detailed facts of the prior litigation and the jury’s verdict are not
before this Court, but the prior litigation will be discussed briefly in the facts to provide
insight.1
¶2. On January 13, 1999, in the Circuit Court of Holmes County, Mississippi, Leola
Cooper (Cooper) filed a lawsuit against Billy Carey (Carey) for his negligent driving which
resulted in her injury. Cooper amended her complaint on December 22, 2000, adding
Dickerson & Bowen, Inc. (D&B) as a defendant. On November 22, 2001, Progressive Gulf
Insurance Company (Progressive) settled on behalf of Carey, leaving D&B as the sole
defendant. D&B went to trial, and the jury rendered a $2.5 million verdict in favor of
Cooper. D&B did not appeal the verdict. Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois
(Travelers), D&B’s liability insurance carrier, settled with Cooper for $250,000 to satisfy the
judgment against D&B.
¶3. On November 20, 2003, Travelers filed suit against Progressive alleging that
Progressive breached its duty to defend D&B. Travelers demanded indemnification for the
settlement Travelers paid to Cooper, $250,000. Travelers moved for summary judgment and
Progressive filed a cross-motion, also for summary judgment. The trial court granted
Travelers’ motion for summary judgment, basing its decision on the jury’s finding that D&B
was vicariously liable and, thus, insured under Carey’s Progressive policy.
1
The record in this appeal does not contain a complete record of the prior
litigation, Cooper v. Carey, Dickerson Bowen Co., and John Does I-V, civil action no.
99-0006, Circuit Court of Holmes County, Mississippi.
2
¶4. On June 28, 2006, a final judgment was entered against Progressive for Travelers’
settlement amount of $250,000, plus costs and fees of $49,529.83, for a total of judgment of
$299,529.83. Progressive now appeals to this Court.
FACTS
¶5. On September 11, 1998, Cooper was injured in an automobile accident when Carey’s
vehicle, driven by Carey, collided with Cooper’s vehicle. On January 13, 1999, Cooper filed
suit against Carey and D&B, Carey’s alleged employer. Carey was defended by Progressive.
On December 22, 2000, D&B was joined as a defendant in Cooper’s amended complaint.
D&B was defended by Travelers. Prior to trial, and under Carey’s commercial vehicle policy
held by Progressive, Progressive settled on Carey’s behalf, leaving D&B and Cooper as the
remaining litigants. Throughout the litigation, D&B maintained in its defense that Carey was
an independent contractor, thereby disavowing Progressive’s responsibility. The jury
returned a verdict against D&B in the amount of $2.5 million. This was announced in special
verdict form submitted by D&B’s counsel with the following:
1. Was Billy Carey negligent? Yes.
2. If the Answer to No. 1 was “yes,” what was his percentage of fault?
10%.
3. Was Dickerson & Bowen negligent? Yes.
4. If the answer to No. 3 was “yes,” what was its percentage of fault?
90%.
¶6. D&B maintained throughout, and until the jury verdict was rendered against D&B,
that Carey was an independent contractor. D&B never made a demand for Progressive to
defend it. Before Travelers settled with Cooper, and after reviewing Carey’s policy with
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Progressive, Travelers sent the final judgment against D&B for $2.5 million and Cooper’s
$450,000 settlement demand to Progressive. At this point, after the trial, Travelers requested
that Progressive defend D&B based on its policy with Carey. On June 10, 2002, Progressive
refused the request to defend D&B or indemnify Travelers. Travelers then settled the $2.5
million judgment against D&B for $250,000.
DISCUSSION
¶7. Progressive contends that the trial court improperly granted summary judgment in
favor of Travelers. Progressive asserts that D&B waived any right of defense or indemnity
from Progressive as a result of non-compliance with Progressive’s policy requirements that
were a condition precedent to coverage. Progressive further argues that as a result of D&B’s
lack of a timely demand to defend or to provide coverage, D&B waived any right to coverage
and to indemnification of Travelers for the settlement that Travelers negotiated with Cooper.
Progressive had no involvement in the representation of D&B or the settlement of the
judgment against D&B.
¶8. In reviewing a trial court’s ruling on a motion for summary judgment, this Court
conducts a de novo review and “examines all the evidentiary matters before us, including
admissions in pleadings, answers to interrogatories, depositions, and affidavits.” Price v.
Purdue Pharma Co., 920 So. 2d 479, 483 (Miss. 2006) (citing Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co. v.
Berry, 669 So. 2d 56, 70 (Miss. 1996), overruled in part on other grounds, Owens v. Miss.
Farm Bureau Cas. Ins. Co., 910 So. 2d 1065, 1074 (Miss. 2005)). “The evidence must be
viewed in the light most favorable to the party against whom the motion has been made.”
4
Price, 920 So. 2d at 483 (citing Berry, 669 So. 2d at 70). “The moving party has the burden
of demonstrating that a genuine issue of material fact exists, and the non-moving party must
be given the benefit of the doubt concerning the existence of a material fact.” Howard v.
City of Biloxi, 943 So. 2d 751, 754 (Miss. 2006) (citing City of Jackson v. Sutton, 797 So.
2d 977, 979 (Miss. 2001)). To avoid summary judgment, the non-movant must set forth
specific facts that demonstrate a genuine issue of material fact that merits trial instead of
mere unsubstantiated allegations. Richmond v. Benchmark Constr. Corp., 692 So. 2d 60,
61 (Miss. 1997).
¶9. Progressive’s policy provided the following pertinent duties in case of an accident or
loss as a condition precedent to coverage:
Notice of Accident or Loss
In the event of an accident or loss, report it to us as soon as practicable . . .
Other Duties
Any person claiming coverage under this Policy must:
1. cooperate with and assist us in any matter concerning a claim or
lawsuit;
2. provide any sworn or written proof of loss that we require before
payment of a loss;
3. provide us with signed or recorded statements under oath as
often as we may reasonably require;
4. promptly send us any and all legal papers received relating to
any claim of lawsuit;
5. attend hearings and trials as we require;
...
5
9. provide us with written notice of any legal action which such
person has undertaken in regard to the accident for which
coverage is sought;
10. assume no obligation, make no payment or incur no expense
without our consent, except at your own cost; . . .
¶10. Carey’s policy with Progressive contained a provision that covered vicarious liability
for Carey’s negligence while driving the insured vehicle. The policy defined an “insured”
under number 4 of the policy as: “Any other person or organization, but only with respect
to the legal liability of that person or organization for acts or omissions of any person
otherwise covered . . . while driving your insured auto.”
¶11. However, D&B never requested any coverage from Progressive. D&B never made
any demand for Progressive to defend it. Instead, D&B was represented and defended by its
general liability insurer, Travelers, at all stages of the litigation proceedings. D&B
contended that Carey was not an employee of D&B. D&B maintained, at all times, that
Carey was an independent contractor. Carey had his own commercial insurance policy with
Progressive. Progressive settled Cooper’s lawsuit against Carey. Once Carey was released
from the litigation, Progressive had no further involvement in the litigation.
¶12. D&B did not settle with Cooper, maintaining that Carey was an independent
contractor, and therefore, it was not liable to Cooper. Travelers represented D&B through
all these proceedings and furnished D&B legal representation. Progressive was not involved
in D&B’s representation or legal decision to proceed to trial.
¶13. D&B made no request to Progressive for coverage until after D&B went to trial and
received a jury verdict against D&B. After the verdict was rendered against D&B, Travelers
6
did not appeal the judgment. Instead, Travelers negotiated a settlement on behalf of D&B,
and Travelers paid the $250,000 to satisfy the judgment rendered against D&B.
¶14. Progressive was not involved in the decision to go to trial, the trial proceedings, or the
decision to settle the judgment in lieu of appealing it. Provisions number 9 and 10 of
Progressive’s policy specifically stated the duty of the insured to:
9. provide us with written notice of any legal action which such person
has undertaken in regard to the accident for which coverage is sought;
and
10. assume no obligation, make no payment or incur no expense without
our consent, except at your own cost.
¶15. “Because the insurer must eventually pay whatever sums the insured becomes legally
obligated to pay, the insurance carrier has the right to select the attorney retained to defend
the claim.” Moeller, et al. v. American Guar. and Liab. Ins. Co., 707 So. 2d 1062, 1068
(Miss. 1996) (citing Hartford Acc. & Idem. Co. v. Foster, 528 So. 2d 255, 263 (Miss.
1988)). “Where the language of an insurance contract is clear and unambiguous it is not
construed in favor of the insured but is construed as written.” Lowery v. Guar. Bank &
Trust Co., 592 So. 2d 79, 82 (Miss. 1991) (citing State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co. v. Gregg,
526 So. 2d 554, 556 (Miss. 1988); Ford v. Lamar Life Ins. Co., 513 So. 2d 880 (1987)).
This Court has held:
The interpretation of an insurance policy is a question of law, not one of fact.
Lewis v. Allstate Ins. Co., 730 So. 2d 65, 68 (Miss. 1998) (citing Johnson v.
Preferred Risk Auto. Ins. Co., 659 So. 2d 866, 871 (Miss. 1995)). Generally,
under Mississippi law, when the words of an insurance policy are plain and
unambiguous, the court will afford them their plain, ordinary meaning and will
apply them as written. Paul Revere Life Ins. Co. v. Prince, 375 So. 2d 417,
7
418 (Miss. 1979). Under Mississippi law, ambiguous and unclear policy
language must be resolved in favor of the non-drafting party -- the insured.
Harrison v. Allstate Ins. Co., 662 So. 2d 1092, 1094 (Miss. 1995). Further,
provisions that limit or exclude coverage are to be construed liberally in favor
of the insured and most strongly against the insurer. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co.
v. Garriga, 636 So. 2d 658, 662 (Miss. 1994).
Noxubee County Sch. Dist. v. United Nat'l Ins. Co., 883 So. 2d 1159, 1165 (Miss. 2004);
See also Anglin v. Gulf Guar. Life Ins. Co., 2007 Miss. LEXIS 224, 15-16 (Miss. 2007).
¶16. Clearly, D&B did not comply with the requirements for coverage stated in
Progressive’s policy. In fact, besides never making any demand on Progressive for coverage
as required, at no time prior to the verdict did Travelers or D&B ever request a copy of
Progressive’s policy to see if coverage was available. It was not until the judgment was
already rendered against D&B that Travelers requested a copy of the Progressive policy and
made a demand for Progressive to satisfy the judgment. There is no dispute that D&B did
not comply with the conditions precedent specifically stated in the Progressive policy.
¶17. Travelers argues on appeal that the amended complaint added D&B as a party
defendant solely under a theory of vicarious liability. While that is not completely incorrect,
it is also not completely accurate. The amended complaint actually provided in pertinent
part:
3. Defendant, Billy Carey, at all times relevant herein was in the
enlargement [sic] of and/or acting as the agent of the defendant,
Dickerson Bowen Company, although he claims to be an independent
contractor.
4. Defendant, Dickerson Bowen Company, is liable for the negligent acts
of the defendant[,] Billy Carey.
8
...
10. Defendant, Dickerson Bowen Company, should be held joint and
severally liable and/or vicariously liable for the damages caused by its
quasi-agent, under the doctrine of respondeat superior.
(Emphasis added). Upon reading the quoted section of the amended compliant, specifically
subsection 10 of the amended complaint, Cooper did not sue D&B solely under a theory of
respondeat superior or vicarious liability as Travelers contends on appeal. In response to
Cooper’s allegations, D&B maintained that Carey was an independent contractor, not its
employee. D&B never had its legal counsel, which was furnished by Travelers, pursue any
coverage under Carey’s policy with Progressive.
¶18. Here, D&B did not request or demand coverage under Carey’s policy with
Progressive; however, the trial court determined that Progressive was obligated to indemnify
the amount of the settlement, $250,000, and attorney’s fees and costs, $49,529.83, for a total
amount of $299,529.83, negotiated and paid by Travelers’s to satisfy the $2.5 million
judgment against D&B. Travelers argues that an insurer can be held liable for claims settled
by its insured, if the insurer had knowledge of the claims against its insured, even if its
insured never made a demand to defend. In State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co.
v. Commercial Union Insurance Co., 394 So. 2d 890, 893 (Miss. 1981), this Court held:
Although there is authority to the contrary, we believe the better view is to
hold that unless some prejudice is shown by an insured's failure to cooperate
with the insurance carrier in its investigation, such failure does not operate
to forfeit the insured's rights under the policy. See: United States Casualty
Co. v. Schlein, 338 F.2d 169, [sic] (5th Cir. 1964); Clemmer v. Hartford Ins.
Co., 22 Cal. 3d 865, 151 Cal. Rptr. 285, 587 P. 2d 1098 (1978); Ramos v.
Northwestern Mutual Ins. Co., 336 So. 2d 71 (Fla. 1976); MFA Mutual
9
Insurance Co. v. Sailors, 180 Neb. 201, 141 N.W. 2d 846 (1966). [sic] 7A Am
Jur 2d Automobile Insurance § 405 (1980); 14 G. Couch, Cyclopedia of
Insurance Law § 51:112 (2d ed. 1965); which states failure to cooperate cannot
constitute a breach unless shown to be prejudicial; J. Appleman, Automobile
Liability Insurance 261 (1938).
(Emphasis added).
¶19. It is important to examine the complex set of facts in State Farm Mutual Automobile
Insurance Co. in order to understand the Court’s holding. In that case, Keith Alexander
operated a car furnished by Jimmy Smith Chevrolet, Inc., which maintained liability
insurance on the car through Commercial Union. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 394 So.
2d at 891. Alexander’s aunt Merle Arnold was a passenger in the car, and Alexander and his
aunt were injured in the accident when the car collided with an Illinois Central Gulf Railroad
Company train. Id. Alexander’s parents carried a liability policy with State Farm that
covered Keith. Id. The following transpired as a result of the accident:
In May 1974 the law firm of Reeves and Reeves was employed by Keith and
his parents to represent his interest for personal injuries received in the
accident.
Commercial Union's adjustor, Joe King, contacted Keith by telephone a day
or two following the accident and was told where he could be reached in
McComb to discuss the case. Upon arriving in McComb and attempting to
contact Keith, however, King was informed by Mrs. Georgia Alexander that
her son had retained attorney R. B. Reeves to represent him, and that Keith
would not give a statement unless his attorney was present. King then sought
through attorney Reeves to get a statement, but because of Reeves
procrastination his efforts were unsuccessful.
On February 14, 1975, Mrs. Merle Arnold filed suit in Cause Number 3240 in
the Circuit Court of Pike County, naming Keith, his parents, the Illinois
Central Gulf Railroad Company and Jimmy Smith Chevrolet, Inc., as
defendants.
10
On March 13, 1975, Keith filed suit in Cause Number 3241 of the Circuit
Court of Pike County, naming the railroad company and Jimmy Smith
Chevrolet, Inc. as defendants.
Both suits charged the automobile agency with negligently furnishing a
defective car, which was a contributing cause of the accident. Jimmy Smith
Chevrolet, Inc., in Cause Number 3241 filed a counterclaim against Keith for
negligently operating the car, resulting in property damage to the vehicle.
Commercial Union retained as counsel to defend Cause Number 3240 attorney
Robert W. Brumfield of McComb. On March 10, 1975, Brumfield wrote
Keith informing him he represented Commercial Union, the liability carrier of
Jimmy Smith Chevrolet, Inc., in the suit instigated against him and Jimmy
Smith Chevrolet, Inc., and the insurance company might be obligated to
defend him. The letter went on to state the attempt of King to contact him
several times and that he had received absolutely no cooperation from him. He
further stated: "I'm sure you must be aware that unless you cooperate with us
in connection with this lawsuit that we will have no obligation whatever to
defend you." The letter informed Keith that court started March 17, and
Brumfield would appreciate Keith's being in his office Friday afternoon,
March 14, so that he might discuss the case with Keith, as well as possible
defenses. He concluded by telling Keith: "In the event you fail to cooperate
with us, we will be forced to decline to defend you in the suit." A copy of the
letter was sent to State Farm's claims superintendent.
Also on March 10, 1975, Brumfield talked with attorney R. B. Reeves. Record
revelation of that conversation is limited to a letter from Brumfield to King
dated March 11, 1975, stating he had talked with Reeves the day before, who
told him Keith "would not cooperate in that they were filing a suit on his
behalf against both Jimmy Smith Chevrolet and the Illinois Central Railroad."
The Alexanders, following institution of suit against them in Cause Number
3240, notified their insurance carrier State Farm, who called upon Commercial
Union as the primary carrier to furnish a defense for Keith. Commercial
Union refused to do so, on the ground Keith had failed and refused to
cooperate in the defense of the suit of Merle Arnold.
Because Commercial Union refused to furnish any defense (other than
Brumfield), State Farm retained the services of Wise, Carter, Child, Steen and
Caraway of Jackson, who in turn associated the firm of Reeves and Reeves of
McComb, to defend the declaration on behalf of Keith and his parents in Cause
11
No. 3240, and the counterclaim of Jimmy Smith Chevrolet, Inc., in Cause No.
3241.
During the ensuing months, several demand letters were written by State
Farm's counsel to Commercial Union to defend Cause Number 3240 and the
counterclaim in 3241. Commercial Union took no action whatever to defend
Keith Alexander, however, taking the position that because he had refused to
cooperate, he had forfeited any right under Commercial Union's policy.
Cause Number 3241 was tried in October 1975, resulting in a verdict in favor
of the defendants on the declaration, and in favor of Keith on the counterclaim.
Neither side recovered anything. Mrs. Arnold the plaintiff in 3240, dismissed
her suit without prejudice in April 1977.
Following the conclusion of the circuit court actions State Farm instituted this
action in Chancery Court of Pike County to recover from Commercial Union
$ 4,970.44 in attorney's fees and expenses incurred in the representation of the
circuit court actions.
The chancellor ruled Commercial Union owed no defense in the counterclaim,
but did owe a defense in the suit of Mrs. Arnold. He further ruled, however,
that since the local firm of Reeves and Reeves did not separate the two causes
of action in itemizing their bills so that any sum could be allocated to each, and
further that the law firm of Wise, Carter, Child, Steen & Caraway failed to
allocate expenses and fees for services rendered between the two actions,
damages could not be allowed there, either.
State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 394 So. 2d at 891-93. This Court affirmed the chancellor’s
judgment, stating:
Insofar as any refusal of Keith to discuss the case with attorney Brumfield,
who was employed by Commercial Union to defend Cause Number 3240, the
situation materially changed. Following Brumfield's March 10, 1975,
conversation with Reeves on the telephone, Brumfield as well as the carrier,
had notice a conflict of interest did exist, and one in which he, Brumfield,
obviously could not represent both Jimmy Smith Chevrolet, Inc. and Keith.
In view of the fact Brumfield obviously could not represent Jimmy Smith
Chevrolet, Inc. and Keith, the duty was upon Commercial Union to select
independent counsel. It made no effort whatever to do so, although it was
12
repeatedly called upon by counsel for State Farm to make a defense of the
actions. Apparently, the position of Commercial Union was: (a) Keith had
breached the policy in failing to cooperate with King and thereafter Brumfield,
and following this Keith had forfeited all rights under the policy, or (b) Keith
could either take Brumfield as his lawyer to represent his interest as defendant
in 3240, and in defense of the counterclaim in 3241, or take nothing. Neither
position has any merit.
Heretofore this Court has addressed the contractual duty of a liability
insurance carrier to defend suits brought against the insured. State Farm
Mutual Automobile Ins. Co. v. Allstate Ins. Co., 255 So. 2d 667 (Miss. 1971);
Travelers Indemnity Co. v. East, 240 So. 2d 277 (Miss. 1970); Travelers
Insurance Co. v. General Refrigeration & Appliance Co., 218 So. 2d 724(Miss. 1969). It is a serious duty, requiring a good faith effort to protect the
insured's interest in court. There is no higher ethical duty in the legal
profession than complete, absolute fidelity to the interest of the client. An
attorney obviously should not attempt to represent a party when he is obligated
to represent an adverse interest, and a conflict of interest appears.
Because Commercial Union had a clear duty to defend, which duty State Farm
as the secondary carrier fulfilled upon Commercial Union's failure to do so, it
follows State Farm is entitled to all reasonable and necessary expenses in
fulfilling Commercial Union's obligations.
State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 394 So. 2d at 894.
¶20. In State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. v. Universal Underwriters
Insurance Co., 601 F. Supp. 286, 290 (S.D. Miss. 1984), the District Court for the Southern
District of Mississippi applied this Court’s holding in State Farm Mutual Automobile
Insurance Co., 394 So. 2d at 893-94, expanding its holding to require coverage where there
was notice of the accident but a lack of a demand to defend. In Universal Underwriters
Insurance Co., 601 F. Supp. at 287, an automobile operated by Nanette Johnson collided
with a vehicle operated by Patricia Dianne Gray. Johnson’s automobile was owned by Joel
Johnson Imported Motor Cars, Inc. (Joel Johnson). Joel Johnson maintained a liability
13
insurance policy with Universal; State Farm had in effect an insurance policy covering
Johnson. Id. Universal was notified of the accident and denied coverage on at least two
occasions. Id. Gray sued Johnson; State Farm defended Johnson in the suit. Id. The court
held:
In this case, the State Farm policy was issued to the driver and the Universal
policy covered the owner of the vehicle and the vehicle involved in the
accident. Therefore, the court concludes that Universal provided primary
coverage.
Universal's contention that State Farm acted as a volunteer and is thereby
precluded from recovery is without merit. In State Farm Mutual Automobile
Insurance Company v. Allstate Insurance Company, 255 So. 2d 667(Miss.1971), the Mississippi Supreme Court rejected a similar argument.
...
State Farm has entered into and has taken on the responsibility inherent in a
solemn contract of insurance and does not fit under any definition of volunteer.
See Id. at 669.
Having determined that the Universal policy provided primary coverage, the
court concludes that the issue for determination is similar to the one faced by
the Mississippi Supreme Court in State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance
Company v. Commercial Union Insurance Company, 394 So. 2d 890(Miss.1981). In that case, Keith Alexander was involved in an accident while
driving a car owned by Jimmy Smith Chevrolet, Inc. Alexander's parents
maintained an automobile liability insurance policy with State Farm and
Jimmy Smith Chevrolet was insured by Commercial Union. Two suits were
filed: one by Alexander's passenger against Alexander, his parents, Illinois
Central Gulf Railroad and Jimmy Smith Chevrolet; the other by Alexander
against the railroad and Jimmy Smith Chevrolet. A counterclaim was brought
against Alexander in the suit in which he was the plaintiff. Both Alexander
and Commercial Union employed attorneys. Alexander refused to cooperate
with Commercial Union's attorney or adjusters. A jury returned a verdict for
the defendant in Alexander's case and the suit brought by the passenger was
dismissed without prejudice.
14
The Mississippi Supreme Court acknowledged an insured's duty to
cooperate with a carrier's investigation but held that, without a showing
of prejudice to Commercial Union, the insured's rights under the policy
were not forfeited. Id. at 893. The court affirmed the chancellor's holding
that Commercial Union owed Alexander a defense in the suit brought by
Alexander's passenger but not for the counterclaim in the other suit. The
Supreme Court stated:
Because Commercial Union had a clear duty to defend which
duty State Farm as the secondary carrier fulfilled upon
Commercial Union's failure to do so, it follows State Farm is
entitled to all reasonable and necessary expenses in fulfilling
Commercial Union's obligations." [sic]
Id. at 894.
The court awarded State Farm the attorneys' fees paid for defense of the
insured.
Universal would contend that the State Farm v. Commercial Union case is not
dispositive because Universal asserts that it received no demand to defend.
This court finds, however, that Universal's notice of the accident and of
its responsibility under Mississippi law to defend was sufficient to impose
liability on Universal.
State Farm's affidavit does not separate its expenditures for these claims from
the claim barred from review by this court. Since the court is without evidence
of State Farm's "reasonable and necessary expenses in fulfilling [Universal's]
obligations," State Farm v. Commercial Union, 394 So. 2d at 894, the amount
in which Universal is liable to State Farm remains a question of fact.
Therefore, this court finds that Universal is liable to State Farm for the
reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in defense and settlement and
payment of the judgment relating to personal and property damage to Gray
arising from the automobile accident with Nanette Johnson.
Universal Underwriters Ins. Co., 601 F. Supp. at 290-91 (emphasis added).
¶21. In Jones v. Southern Marine & Aviation Underwriters, Inc., 888 F.2d 358, 359 (5th
Cir. 1989), plaintiffs sued Tomlinson Interests, Inc., and other defendants in connection with
15
an above-ground blowout. Tomlinson had comprehensive general liability coverage issued
by Hartford Accident and Indemnity Company and Hartford Casualty Insurance Company.
Id. Tomlinson also had coverage for controlling a blowout under two certificates of
insurance, subscribed by Underwriter, Lloyd’s of London. Id. The damages were covered
under these certificates. Id.
¶22. After trial began, a settlement was reached, without the consent or involvement of
Underwriters, in the amount of $1,665,283 plus interest. Jones, 888 F.2d at 360. Hartford
paid its policy limits toward the satisfaction of the judgment, leaving $600,000 unpaid. Id.Plaintiffs filed a suggestion of garnishment against Underwriters for the outstanding balance.
Id. The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit considered whether
Underwriters’s lack of consent to the settlement and lack of knowledge of the settlement
negotiations as required in the policy relieved Underwriters of liability, stating:
It is undisputed that, contrary to this provision's requirement, Underwriters
did not consent to the agreed judgment. Neither did Underwriters
participate in settlement negotiations. Plaintiffs' list of the persons who
negotiated the agreed judgment confirms Underwriters' absence. In fact,
neither Tomlinson nor Hartford ever notified Underwriters that settlement
negotiations were being held, nor did Tomlinson ever seek Underwriters'
consent before the settlement was executed and the agreed judgment was
entered. Rather, Plaintiffs pursued the limits of coverage under
Hartford's policies.
Generally, when an insured makes a settlement without the insurer's
previous consent as required by the policy, the insured is not entitled to
reimbursement from the insurer because the insured has breached a
condition of coverage. See 7C J. Appleman, Insurance Law and Practice
4714 at 521 (1979). Therefore, by the very terms of the insurance certificates,
Tomlinson's failure to obtain the participation and consent of
Underwriters in the negotiation and execution of the agreed judgment
16
would appear to release Underwriters from any liability under the agreed
judgment.
Jones, 888 F.2d at 361 (emphasis added).
¶23. In Jones, the Plaintiffs further argued that Tomlinson did not have to formally tender
a demand to defend to Underwriters or make a claim under the certificates for Underwriters
to be liable for the agreed judgment. Jones, 888 F. 2d at 364. The court considered the
argument and held:
Tomlinson never specifically demanded or requested that Underwriters
provide a defense in the state court action. Under the law of Mississippi, an
insurer upon whom no demand to defend was made nevertheless can be held
liable for claims settled by its insured, if the insurer had notice of the
event potentially within policy coverage and of its legal responsibility to
defend. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co. v. Universal Underwriters Ins. Co.,
601 F. Supp. 286, 290 (S.D. Miss. 1984) (insurer twice denied coverage to
insured). It is undisputed that Underwriters had notice of the state court action
against Tomlinson and even had a legal representative present at trial and at
the pretrial conference. Plaintiffs urge that Underwriters' presence relieved
Tomlinson of any duty of formal demand and that it is enough to show a
breach of Underwriters' duty to defend.
Although Underwriters were fully aware of the state court action, they did
not have notice of any legal responsibility to defend. Hartford conducted
the entire defense. Neither Tomlinson nor Plaintiffs ever sought coverage
or a defense from Underwriters for Plaintiffs' claims in the state court
action. Instead, Tomlinson directed all of Plaintiffs' claims to Hartford. The
summary judgment evidence shows that Tomlinson took the position in the
state court action that only the Hartford policies covered Plaintiffs'
claims. Underwriters' presence at the pretrial conference and the trial indicates
that they were aware their coverage might be implicated; however, their
interest in following the ongoing proceedings does not imply an unwillingness
to defend. Plaintiffs do not show how the presence of Underwriters at the
trial obliged them to defend or made them liable under a settlement.
17
Jones, 888 F.2d at 364 (emphasis added). The Fifth Circuit focused its holding on the fact
that Tomlinson was represented by Hartford and took the position that Hartford’s policies
covered the defense, pointing out that Tomlinson never made a demand for defense or
requested coverage from Underwriters. The factual situation in Jones is similar to the case
at hand.
¶24. Here, D&B relied upon the legal representation provided by Travelers. Neither D&B
nor Travelers ever demanded that Progressive defend D&B. The first demand for coverage
from Progressive came from Travelers after the jury returned a verdict against D&B and
Cooper made a settlement demand to satisfy the judgment. Travelers, as D&B’s liability
insurance company, selected and retained D&B’s legal representation. D&B maintained at
all times that Carey was not employed by D&B. Carey also maintained that he was an
independent contractor, not an employee of D&B. Carey did not attempt to shift liability to
D&B. Cooper’s amended complaint states that Carey maintained he was an independent
contractor. Therefore, both Carey and D&B asserted that D&B was not vicariously liable
to Cooper for any act of negligence on the part of Carey.
¶25. Following the approach in Jones, we reverse the judgment of the trial court. Jones,
888 F. 2d at 364. D&B chose its theory of defense, maintaining that Carey was an
independent contractor, and chose to seek coverage and representation under its liability
insurer, Travelers. Based on Carey’s and D&B’s assertions that Carey was not an employee
of D&B, Progressive properly relied on Travelers’ representation and coverage of D&B.
Even on appeal, Travelers does not maintain that Carey was an employee of D&B. Because
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the jury failed to agree with D&B’s chosen theory of defense, the jury’s verdict does not
retroactively obligate Progressive to indemnify Travelers.
CONCLUSION
¶26. Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the Holmes County Circuit Court granting
Travelers Indemnity Company of Illinois' motion for summary judgment and render
judgment in favor of Progressive Gulf Insurance Company.
¶27. REVERSED AND RENDERED.
SMITH, C.J., WALLER AND DIAZ, P.JJ., CARLSON, DICKINSON AND
LAMAR, JJ., CONCUR. RANDOLPH, J., CONCURS IN PART AND IN RESULT.
GRAVES, J., DISSENTS WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION.
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