City of Hobbs v. Hartford Fire

F I L E D
United States Court of Appeals
Tenth Circuit
PUBLISH
NOV 9 1998
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
PATRICK FISHER
Clerk
TENTH CIRCUIT
CITY OF HOBBS,
Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
HARTFORD FIRE INSURANCE
COMPANY, No. 96-2212
Defendant,
and
NUTMEG INSURANCE COMPANY,
Defendant-Appellee.
APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF NEW MEXICO
(D.C. No. CIV-95-79-PJK/MV)
K. Stephen Royce, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Eric Scott Jeffries of Jeffries & Rugge, P.C.,
Albuquerque, New Mexico, with him on the brief), for Plaintiff-Appellant.
William P. Gralow of Civerolo, Gralow & Hill, Albuquerque, New Mexico (Jennifer L.
Weed with him on the brief), for Defendants-Appellees.
Before PORFILIO, HOLLOWAY, and EBEL, Circuit Judges.
HOLLOWAY, Circuit Judge.
Plaintiff-Appellant City of Hobbs sued Nutmeg Insurance Company (Nutmeg) in
New Mexico state court alleging bad faith, breach of contract, and unfair claims practices in
defense of a federal court damage claim brought earlier under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and a
supplemental wrongful death claim against Hobbs and Officer Harrison of the Hobbs police
force. Nutmeg removed the state court action for bad faith and related claims to the United
States District Court for the District of New Mexico on diversity grounds.
Following discovery, the federal district court granted Nutmeg’s motion for summary
judgment as to the breach of contract and unfair claims practices claims but ordered the bad
faith claim to go to trial. After the close of all of the evidence, the district court granted
Nutmeg’s motion pursuant to Rule 50 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure for judgment
as a matter of law on the bad faith cause of action.1 Hobbs appeals the district court’s ruling
on the Rule 50 motion and the judgment entered pursuant to that ruling. Hobbs also asserts
error below in rejecting opinion testimony by a Hobbs’ expert on Nutmeg’s handling of the
§ 1983 and wrongful death claims and its failure to settle the claims and protect Hobbs from
1
Rule 50 provides:
(a)(1) If during a trial by jury a party has been fully heard on an issue
and there is no legally sufficient evidentiary basis for a reasonable jury to find
for that party on that issue, the court may determine the issue against that party
and may grant a motion for judgment as a matter of law against that party with
respect to a claim or defense that cannot under controlling law be maintained
or defeated without a favorable finding on the issue.
Fed. R. Civ. P. 50.
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a large verdict rendered in excess of Nutmeg’s liability coverage.
I
A
The Civil Rights and Supplemental Claims Litigation
This case has its roots in the tragic shooting death of 21-year-old Jorge Perez. On
December 25, 1991, police officers of the City of Hobbs, New Mexico, responded to a report
of a domestic disturbance at the home of Mrs. Nieto, Perez’ mother-in-law. Upon arriving
at the scene, officers Ben Harrison and Jim Bob Hardy encountered Mr. Perez. Mr. Perez
held what was later determined to be a “2x4” piece of lumber, some ten feet four inches in
length. III App. at 623. Mr. Perez advanced on the officers and yelled obscenities at them.
III App. at 734. Officer Harrison aimed his service weapon at Mr. Perez, firing twice and
hitting Mr. Perez once in the chest. Mr. Perez died shortly thereafter. He was survived by
his 19-year-old wife and three-year-old son.
The City of Hobbs carried liability insurance with Nutmeg that was effective the day
of the shooting. I App. Ex. 1. The policy contained a $300,000 limit for claims arising under
New Mexico law and a $1,000,000 limit for claims arising under law other than that of
New Mexico. Id. at 37. As a condition of the insurance policy, Nutmeg had the right and
duty to defend any claim or suit seeking damages covered by the policy and the discretion
to investigate any occurrence and settle any claim. Id. City of Hobbs officials immediately
notified Nutmeg of the shooting. I App. Ex. 4.
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Michael Tompkins (Tompkins), an adjuster for Nutmeg, was assigned to the Perez
matter. Tompkins asked a lawyer, R.E. Richards, to defend Officer Harrison and the City
against the Perez Estate claim and to lead the investigation. I App. Ex. 9; I App. Ex. 5.
Richards in turn relied on the Hobbs Police Department to conduct an investigation. III App.
at 777. The police department began investigating the claim, including having a diagram on
the incident scene prepared. Mr. Richards also retained an expert witness on civil rights
actions under § 1983 for the City, Dr. Parsons, who later made a report saying that Officer
Harrison’s use of force was according to his training. III App. at 793.
A few days after the shooting Mrs. Perez hired Brad Hall, an Albuquerque attorney
who had previously handled excessive force cases. Mr. Hall filed suit on January 23, 1992,
on behalf of the Perez Estate and Mr. Perez’s young son in the United States District Court
for the District of New Mexico against the City of Hobbs, Marshall Newman individually
and in his official capacity as Chief of Police, Officer Harrison individually and in his official
capacity as a Hobbs police officer, and John Does 1-8, Supervisors and Trainers of Harrison,
alleging claims for damages pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and damage claims for assault,
battery, wrongful death, negligent training, and negligent infliction of emotional distress
pursuant to New Mexico law as supplemental jurisdiction claims. I App. Ex. 7. The district
court had jurisdiction of the § 1983 claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. §§ 1331 and 1343(a) and
supplemental jurisdiction over the state law claims pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1367(a). A first
amended complaint filed for the Perez Estate named only Officer Harrison individually and
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in his official capacity as a Hobbs police officer. I App. Ex. 18.
This civil rights and supplemental claims litigation later fomented the instant bad faith
claim litigation by the City of Hobbs against Nutmeg, its liability insurer. This bad faith
controversy arose because of a large liability the City of Hobbs had to bear by payment of
some $1,700,000 above its insurance coverage to settle liability on a $3,335,000 judgment
recovered by the Perez Estate in the underlying § 1983 and wrongful death case. The bad
faith complaint was filed in a New Mexico District Court and was removed to the federal
court below on diversity grounds on January 24, 1995. I App. at 1. The instant appeal is
from a judgment entered August 2, 1996, for the defendant insurers after the trial judge
sustained a Rule 50 motion in the federal bad faith claim trial. The trial below on that claim
produced our record that contains considerable evidence on events surrounding the earlier
trial in the underlying § 1983 and wrongful death litigation. While we necessarily will be
discussing evidence introduced in that underlying § 1983 and wrongful death trial, this is
evidence that was admitted at the bad faith trial itself.
We turn now to the bad faith claim trial and to consideration whether the trial judge
correctly took the case away from the jury after the bad faith trial evidence was completed.
B
The Bad Faith Trial Record
The Perez Estate’s attorney, Brad Hall, employed Rocky Stone, a scene reconstruction
witness, who developed a diagram that contradicted the City of Hobbs police department
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measurements. III App. at 640-41; IV App. at 936-37. Mr. Hall testified that Mr. Stone’s
reconstruction also conflicted with Hobbs’ police department accounts, including Officer
Harrison’s statements. III App. at 625. Officer Harrison presented problems for the City and
for Nutmeg. He contradicted himself regarding the Perez shooting. On one occasion, he
stated that Perez carried the wood board over his right shoulder. In the next statement he said
the board was over Mr. Perez’s left shoulder. Moreover, Mr. Hall brought former police
officers to the shooting scene and they concluded that Officer Harrison’s actions resulted in
a “bad shooting.” III App. at 626-27.
Internally, some senior staff members at Nutmeg expressed some concerns about the
Perez case. Ron Kubas, a senior claims adjuster for ITT Hartford, the parent company of
Nutmeg, stated: “Given that there were two officers involved in this investigation, you would
think that they should have been able to subdue this individual without requiring the firing
of a gun . . . .” I App. Ex. 8, p. 1. Defense counsel expressed his view that “a ‘runaway jury’
could really tag us, although [he did] not think this will be a ‘runaway jury.’” I App. Ex. 26,
p. 4. The record indicates that Nutmeg’s concerns were passed along to City of Hobbs
officials. II App. at 392, 395-96; I App. Ex. 2, p. 73. However, there is evidence that
despite weaknesses, Nutmeg’s defense counsel Richards and the defense expert witness
viewed the Perez Estate claim as defensible. III App. at 793; IV App. at 951; I App. Ex. 20,
p. 2; Ex. 21, p. 10.
Prior to trial, defense counsel informed City of Hobbs officials that a comparative
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negligence defense would substantially mitigate what damages the city would have to pay
if a jury found in favor of the Perez Estate. II App. at 382, 560; I App. Ex. 2, p. 65. Defense
counsel made these assertions despite adjuster Tompkins’ knowledge that a comparative fault
defense was not available for the § 1983 claim. IV App. at 893-96. City officials were not
informed until trial that the comparative negligence defense was not applicable to either
Perez’s § 1983 cause of action or the supplemental wrongful death cause of action. II App.
at 438; III App. at 575. Earlier defense counsel and adjuster Tompkins discussed
comparative fault and its potential effect of reducing an adverse jury verdict. III App. at 799;
IV App. at 893 (discussion among Tompkins and City of Hobbs representatives Gallagher
and Thomas).
During preparation for the § 1983 and wrongful death suit, Hall hired an economist,
Brian McDonald, to prepare an estimate of economic and money loss caused by Mr. Perez’s
death. McDonald concluded earnings loss and loss of household services to be
approximately $825,000. I App. Ex. 17. Tompkins testified that he saw from the report that
McDonald had submitted a government report that OSHA had come up with figures of
between $1,000,000 and $4,000,000 for loss of enjoyment of life. III App. 790-91. This
injury was referred to as supporting hedonic damages.2 Exhibit 17 is an August 13, 1992,
The term “hedonic” has been defined as “of, pertaining to, or characterized by
2
pleasure.” Webster’s II New Riverside Univ. Dictionary 572 (1984). Hedonic damages
covers the loss of the value of life itself. See Bell v. City of Milwaukee, 746 F.2d 1205, 1236
(7th Cir. 1984).
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letter from Hall to Mr. Richards, the attorney for Hobbs, which forwarded the McDonald
damages estimate and concluded: “However, I am as always willing to discuss any
reasonable resolution of a lawsuit.” Id. Defense counsel Richards forwarded Hall’s letter
and the McDonald report to Nutmeg and the City of Hobbs. I App. Ex. 17.1. Defense
counsel dismissed the report as “bullshit,” II App. at 402, because Dr. McDonald’s
conclusions were felt by counsel to be inflated. III App. at 791. Neither Tompkins nor any
other agent at Nutmeg conducted an independent appraisal of Perez’s lost earnings,
household services or hedonic damages. III App. at 791; IV App at 866-67. Risk Manager
Thomas of the City of Hobbs testified that there were no discussions by him with Adjuster
Tompkins about Dr. McDonald’s evaluation of economic damages or the larger damages
item for loss of enjoyment of life. III App. at 572-73. Thomas also said he did not discuss
the $1,000,000 to $4,000,000 item on hedonic damages in the McDonald report with defense
attorney Richards. Id.Two weeks before the trial in Roswell, New Mexico, Nutmeg offered the Perez family
$50,000 to settle the case. III App. at 651. The Nutmeg adjuster Tompkins and Nancy
Downing, a Nutmeg claims representative, were concerned that “the police officer was
Caucasian and the victim was Hispanic; that it had happened on Christmas day; that the
police department is sometimes a target defendant and we need to take a look at those type
of things; that a fatality claim is a concern that we should talk about.” III App. at 785-86.
The Estate’s attorney, Hall, rejected the $50,000 offer as unreasonable. III App. at 651. Hall
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had informed defense counsel that excessive force cases in Albuquerque tended to settle for
between $250,000 and $400,000 but that the Perez case was stronger than usual. III App. at
643, 653. Shortly before trial, on November 20, 1993, Hall sent a letter to defense counsel
Richards that stated he would recommend his client accept any offer above $600,000. The
letter read:
As you recall, I told the Court in the Pre-Trial Conference that I could
send a demand in this case. My recollection is that you informed me early on
after meetings with Judge McCoy that not much money is available, if any, and
certainly nothing like the City of Albuquerque pays in police shooting cases
($250,000-$400,000). I believe this case is worth significantly more. The
damages testimony will center around three to three point five million.
However, I obviously would have to recommend to my client that she accept
any offers over $600,000.
II App. Ex. 28.1 (emphasis added). Hall himself referred to the letter as an offer. I App. at
87. Moreover, the addressee, Richards, defense counsel for the City of Hobbs, also referred
to the letter as an offer. Richards forwarded Hall’s letter of November 20, 1993, to Nutmeg’s
adjuster Tompkins, saying in part: “I enclose offer of settlement dated November 20, 1993
from Brad Hall.” II App. Ex. 28 (emphasis added).
Settlement negotiations did not proceed because Nutmeg valued the Perez Estate
claim at less than six figures. III App. at 790. Hobbs officials did not express interest in
settling the Perez Estate claim for a substantial amount of money. III App. 785-86, 799-800.
The City of Hobbs officials were concerned that a settlement, in light of Nutmeg’s assurances
that the Perez claim was defensible, would upset the morale of the city police department.
Nutmeg based its decision to litigate in part on the City of Hobbs’ reluctance to settle. III
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App. at 799-800.
A five-day trial of the § 1983 and wrongful death claims commenced on
December 13, 1993. The Perez Estate was able to introduce their expert Stone’s opinion
testimony in making its case. Nutmeg agents themselves felt that Stone testified well at trial.
I App. Ex 3, p. 14. On December 17, 1993, the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Perez
Estate for $3,335,000. This verdict was within the range that McDonald’s report presented
for the Estate. IV App. at 973. Richards, defense counsel at the underlying § 1983 and
wrongful death trial, testified at the bad faith claim trial that the large verdict for the Perez
Estate was a complete surprise to him. IV App. at 952. The parties reached a settlement of
the appeal of the case for $2,700,000. II App. Ex. 32. Nutmeg paid the Perez Estate
$1,000,000, its full coverage; the City of Hobbs paid the estate $1,700,000.
Following the underlying § 1983 and wrongful death claim trial, the City of Hobbs
filed suit on January 24, 1995, in New Mexico state court against Nutmeg for bad faith,
breach of contract and unfair trade claims practice. Nutmeg removed the case to the
New Mexico federal court on diversity grounds. Nutmeg moved for summary judgment as
to all of Hobbs’ claims against it. The district court granted Nutmeg summary judgment on
the breach of contract and unfair trade claims practice claims but denied summary judgment
on the bad faith claim. IV App. at 1068.
Trial began on July 30, 1996 on the bad faith claim. Hobbs called Keith Charleston
as an expert in insurance claims handling practice to provide an expert opinion on Nutmeg’s
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handling of the Perez Estate’s claim. Nutmeg objected to Charleston’s testimony pursuant
to Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence. The trial judge sustained the objection,
concluding that Charleston lacked specific knowledge as to insurance claims handling
practice in New Mexico. III App. at 694. An offer of proof of Charleston’s testimony was
made, which was rejected.
On completion of the City of Hobbs’ case, Nutmeg moved for judgment as a matter
of law pursuant to Fed. R. Civ. P. 50. III App. at 708. The district court denied that motion.
Nutmeg then presented its own case and on resting, renewed its Rule 50 motion. The district
court then granted the motion concluding, inter alia, that the City of Hobbs failed to show
that Nutmeg placed its interests above the interests of the City of Hobbs, IV App. at 1045-46;
II App. at 311, and entered judgment for Nutmeg and Hartford. The instant appeal followed.
II
The Appeal from Judgment for the Insurers Under Rule 50
A
Governing Federal and New Mexico Legal Principles
The City of Hobbs raises two issues on appeal. First, it argues that the district court
erred in granting Nutmeg’s motion for judgment as a matter of law, taking the case away
from the jury, because Hobbs presented sufficient evidence that could reasonably support a
jury determination that Nutmeg acted in bad faith by failing to settle with the Perez Estate
within the $1,000,000 coverage that the City of Hobbs had, leaving the City exposed to a
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large excess verdict like that which resulted. Second, Hobbs contends that the district court
abused its discretion in sustaining Nutmeg’s objection to testimony by Hobbs’ insurance
claims expert Charleston, who was qualified as an expert and who offered an opinion that
would have been helpful to the jury.
We review the grant of a motion for judgment as a matter of law de novo, see Doan
v. Seagate Tech., Inc., 82 F.3d 974, 976 (10th Cir. 1996), applying the same standard as the
district court. See also Harold Stores, Inc. v. Dillard Dep’t Stores, Inc., 82 F.3d 1533, 1546
(10th Cir. 1996), cert. denied, 117 S. Ct. 297 (1996). In diversity cases, the substantive law
of the forum state generally governs our analysis of the underlying claims, but “[t]he
appropriateness of a Rule 50 judgment as a matter of law is a federal procedural question.”
Lyon Dev. Co. v. Business Men’s Assurance Co., 76 F.3d 1118, 1121-22 (10th Cir. 1996).
The City of Hobbs contends that the district court erred in granting Nutmeg’s motion
for judgment as a matter of law because the City offered testimony and documentary
evidence that gave rise to inferences sufficient to support a jury verdict in its favor that
Nutmeg acted in bad faith in failing to settle with the Perez Estate within the $1,000,000
policy coverage. Judgment as a matter of law is appropriate only where, with all reasonable
inferences from the evidence drawn in the nonmovant’s favor, a jury verdict for the
nonmovant would be improper. Thompson v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 34 F.3d 932, 941
(10th Cir. 1994). If we determine that the record could reasonably support a jury verdict in
favor of the City of Hobbs, we must reverse the district court’s ruling and judgment.
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Before we can decide whether the district court erred in granting Nutmeg’s Rule 50
motion, we must first look to the law of the forum state for guidance on the City of Hobbs’
substantive claim. Under New Mexico law, an insured has a cause of action against its
insurer for bad faith for failing to settle where its insurer breaches an “implied covenant of
good faith and fair dealing that the insurer will not injure its policyholder’s right to receive
the full benefits of the contract.” Dairyland Ins. Co. v. Herman, 954 P.2d 56, 60 (N.M.
1997). New Mexico does not adhere to a single definition of bad faith in the context of
insurance matters. Ambassador Ins. Co. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 690 P.2d 1022,
1025 (N.M. 1984). The key principle underlying the covenant of good faith in an insurance
contract is that the insurer treat the interests of the insured equally to its own interests. See
Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61. Thus an insurance company acts in bad faith when it places its
own interests ahead of the interests of the insured. Id.; see also N.M. Uniform Jury
Instruction 13-1704.3
3
Jury Instruction 13-1704 is entitled “Bad faith failure to settle,” and it provides:
A liability insurance company has a duty to timely investigate and fairly
evaluate the claim against its insured, and to accept reasonable settlement
offers within policy limits.
An insurance company’s failure to conduct a competent investigation
of the claim and to honestly balance its own interests and the interests of the
insured in rejecting a settlement offer within policy limits is bad faith. If the
company gives equal consideration to its own interests and the interests of the
insured and based on honest judgment and adequate information does not settle
the claim and proceeds to trial, it has acted in good faith.
The New Mexico Supreme Court has provided in its orders on “Uniform Jury
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The crux of City of Hobbs’ complaint is that Nutmeg acted in bad faith by failing to
settle with the Perez Estate within the limits of the $1,000,000 coverage. City of Hobbs
argues that bad faith is evidenced by Nutmeg’s failure to adequately investigate and evaluate
the Perez Estate’s claim, failure to reasonably consider Hall’s discussion of a settlement
recommendation at $600,000, or pursue settlement negotiations, and failure to adequately
inform City of Hobbs on the prospects of a jury verdict in excess of the $1,000,000 policy
limits. The City also claims there was error in rejecting its expert’s testimony on insurance
claims handling.
Nutmeg responds that the City failed to present “clear and convincing evidence” to
support its bad faith claim; that the trial judge found no evidence indicating that “anyone
from the insurance side . . . disregarded the interest of the insured in deciding to try the case”;
and that there was a lack of evidence that Nutmeg preferred its own interest to that of the
City.
Two New Mexico cases and New Mexico Uniform Jury Instruction 13-1704 are
instructive. In Dairyland Ins. Co., the New Mexico Supreme Court responded to a question
certified to it by our court, which is set out in the footnote below.4 The New Mexico Court
Instructions - Civil” at vi that the above instruction was approved July 17, 1991. The Court’s
rules further provide in their preface that “the trial judge shall instruct the jury in the
language of the Uniform Jury Instructions . . . .”
The certified question read:
4
Does an insurer satisfy its duty to treat its interests and the interests of
its insured equally, as a matter of law, when it requires a release of all claims,
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responded “No” to that question. In discussing the issues, the New Mexico Court said that
the plaintiff husband had presented sufficient evidence to defeat a motion for summary
judgment against the husband’s bad faith counterclaim. Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 65. The
Court stated that:
We conclude that when there is a substantial likelihood of recovery in excess
of limits, an insurer’s unwarranted refusal to settle is a breach of the implied
covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61. The New Mexico Court further held that under its insurance
decisions, conflicting interpretations of the facts on the bad faith issue should be resolved at
trial:
It is possible to interpret the events in this case as Herman would,
characterizing Dairyland’s conduct as a complete disregard for the interests of
its insured. . . . On the other hand, Dairyland’s conduct may be interpreted as
a good-faith effort to protect its insured. Since the parties urge conflicting
interpretations of the facts, the question of whether Dairyland acted in bad
faith should be resolved at trial.
Id., 954 P.2d at 65. In Dairyland, the New Mexico Court further noted an insurer’s good
faith evaluation of costs and benefits of settlement is generally accorded deference, 954 P.2d
at 61, adding that “[h]owever, judicial deference lessens whenever there is a substantial
likelihood of a recovery that exceeds policy limits.” Id.
In Ambassador Ins. Co., 690 P.2d 1022, the New Mexico Court addressed similar
including subrogation claims, against its insured as a condition precedent to a
policy limits settlement when there is a substantial likelihood of recovery in
excess of policy limits?
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questions. It held that there is no cause of action in New Mexico for negligent failure to
settle, but there can be liability for bad faith failure to settle. The Court said that such bad
faith conduct for failing to settle within policy limits must be of an arbitrary and reprehensive
nature, but it approved instructions as a whole that included a charge that
an insurer cannot be partial to its own interests, but must give its interests and
the interests of its insured equal consideration. . . . The failure of an insurance
company to fairly balance those interests can constitute bad faith.
690 P.2d at 1025-26 (emphasis added).
The district judge below stated from the bench the reasons why Nutmeg was entitled
to judgment as a matter of law. IV App. at 1044-49. In essence, the trial judge stated two
grounds for granting the Rule 50 motion. First, under Ambassador Ins. Co., the City of
Hobbs could not recover for Nutmeg’s negligent failure to settle and that the City had not
provided evidence sufficient to show that Nutmeg disregarded the interests of its insured in
deciding to try the Perez case. Id. at 1046. Second, the district court emphasized that the
case was tried as a bad faith failure to settle claim but that the Perez Estate never made an
offer of settlement or an unconditional demand. Id. at 1045, 1047-48. We disagree, being
persuaded that the New Mexico courts would not follow the restrictive view that the absence
of a firm offer to the insurer forecloses the possibility of a claim of bad faith failure to settle.
In Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61, the New Mexico Court stated that when a claimant
makes a firm reasonable offer to settle within policy limits, the implied duty of good faith
and fair dealing may require the insurer to settle. However, Dairyland does not analyze the
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insurer’s duty in circumstances where a firm offer is not made or set any parameters
prohibiting recovery for a bad faith failure to settle in other circumstances where a firm offer
to the insurer has not been made. We turn now to cases that do address that situation.
First, our court in Coleman v. Holecek, 542 F.2d 532 (10th Cir. 1976), a Kansas law
insurance controversy presented the question whether a liability in excess of coverage should
be imposed on the insurer where it had been found in bad faith in failing to defend a suit
against its insured. The insurer argued that since the claimant had never made a settlement
offer, its liability is limited to that which it faced had it defended the personal injury suit and
lost (the policy limits). Id. at 536. We looked to analogous Kansas law involving a bad faith
refusal to settle and noted that excess liability of the insurer arises under Kansas cases not
only where there is a bad faith refusal to accept a settlement offer made to the insurer by the
claimant, but also where the insurer fails to initiate settlement negotiations; the duty to
consider the insured’s interest arises because of a claim for damages in excess of the policy
limits, not because a settlement offer had been made. Id. at 537. Applying these principles,
our Coleman opinion held the insurer subject to excess liability above the policy limits
because of bad faith by the insurer in withdrawing from defense of the case and from
embryonic settlement negotiations, and that the duty to settle did not hinge on the existence
of an offer from the plaintiff. Id. at 537. See also Farmers Ins. Exchange v. Schrapp, 567
P.2d 1359, 1366 (Kan. 1977) (noting our Coleman opinion and citing its statement that the
duty to settle does not hinge on the existence of a settlement offer from the plaintiff).
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We note that there are numerous jurisdictions which likewise reject limitation of the
insurer’s duty of good faith in settlement to cases where a settlement offer has been made.
See Maine Bonding & Cas. Co. v. Centennial Ins. Co., 693 P.2d 1296, 1299 (Ore. 1985)
(under Oregon law, insurer’s duty “may require that an insurer make inquiries to determine
if settlement is possible within the policy limitations.”); Rova Farms Resort, Inc. v. Investors
Ins. Co. of America, 323 A.2d 495, 506-07 (N.J. 1974) (insurer, having restricted negotiating
power of insured, has positive fiduciary duty to take the initiative and attempt to negotiate
a settlement within the policy coverage); State Auto Ins. Co. v. Rowland, 427 S.W.2d 30,
32-34 (Tenn. 1968) (“to hold as a matter of law that an [insurer] cannot be guilty of bad faith
unless it received an offer . . . within the policy limits could most certainly lead to inequitable
results.”); Fulton v. Woodford, 545 P.2d 979, 984 (Ariz. 1976); Alt v. American Family Mut.
Ins. Co., 237 N.W.2d 706, 710-11 (Wis. 1976); Hartford Ins. Co. v. Methodist Hospital, 785
F. Supp. 38, 40 (E.D.N.Y. 1992) (New York law). But see Commercial Union Ins. Co. v.
Mission Ins. Co., 835 F.2d 587, 588 (5th Cir. 1988) (Louisiana law); Seward v. State Farm
Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 392 F.2d 723, 727-28 (5th Cir. 1968) (applying Florida law but
questioning the logic of Florida’s rule); Ranger Ins. Co. v. Home Indem. Co., 741 F. Supp.
716, 718 (N.D. Ill. 1990) (Illinois law); American Physicians Ins. Exchange v. Garcia, 876
S.W.2d 842, 850 n.17-18 (Tex. 1994).
Good faith in New Mexico imposes “upon the insurer the duty to settle whenever
practicable.” Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61. We believe that New Mexico would not limit this
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duty to cases only where the claimant made a firm offer; instead, we are persuaded that
New Mexico would follow the several decisions cited above to hold that an insurer can be
liable for a bad faith failure to settle even though a claimant has not submitted a firm
reasonable offer.
New Mexico follows the rule that an insurer who fails to settle in bad faith is liable
for the entire judgment against the insured, including the amount in excess of policy limits.
Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61; Lujan v. Gonzales , 501 P.2d 673, 684 (N.M. 1972); see also
Highlands Ins. Co., 64 F.3d at 517 (applying California law, “[a]n insurer who violates the
covenant of good faith is liable for the entire judgment.”). To use any other measure of
damages would allow insurers to “profit from their own wrongs,” Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61,
an inequity the New Mexico courts do not allow. Id.
We reviewed earlier the basic proof bearing on the bad faith claim, but we note below
particular evidence convincing us that there was a submissible case for the jury.
B
The Factual Support for the City of Hobbs’ Bad Faith Claim
The record shows that the Perez Estate’s claim presented a serious risk of a substantial
verdict against the insured. Adjuster Mike Tompkins on February 12, 1991, stated to trial
counsel Richards his opinion that liability was a “very tough call, clmt [claimant] was killed
by officer on insd [insured] force during a domestic dispute.” I App. Ex. 9. Tompkins stated
in a “Trial Alert” document on December 3, 1993, that special damages were sought for
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“meds, lost wages, loss of consortium, violation of civil rights” and that as to “Exposure to
Verdict” on a 1-10 scale, with one as high, Tompkins rated the risk as “5 perhaps we have
a strong technical case but this is a jury emotion exposure & coming to trial at Christmas.”
Tompkins added, however, that defense counsel “feels we have strong case.” II App. Ex. 29.
Among the unfavorable emotional factors facing the defense was the Christmas Day
1991 shooting death of Perez who was armed only with a 2x4 piece of lumber approximately
ten feet long. The insurer’s activity log noted on February 20, 1992. that “the initial Fax was
in error in stating 2x8x8 . . . appears to be a mute [sic] point, either board is awkward, and
fact remains officer could have shot clmt. in arm, leg, or whatever.” II App. Ex. 2, p. 86.
Perez was shot in the chest. I App. Ex. 12, p. 2. The log recorded a comment that “This is
difficult case and will not be resolved easily.” II App. Ex. 2, p. 86.
Other difficulties for the defense are apparent from the record. Officer Hardy, who
accompanied Officer Harrison, had an account that conflicted with Harrison. On
December 25, 1991 (the day of the shooting), Harrison stated that “Perez raised the board up
and advanced ‘in a fast motion’ ‘Had it over his head like he was gonna hit me.’” “I felt he
was gonna hit me over the head with it.” II App. Ex. 25.2. Hardy said on December 26: “He
sees Perez carrying a 2x4 like he’s jousting, running south.” “. . . . most of the stick in front
of him” “flat out in front of him.” Id. at 2. Exhibit 25.2 is the notes of Mr. Stone (who
testified for the Perez Estate) and they were admitted at the bad faith trial. Mr. Stone’s
conclusions therein stated in part: “Given the overhanging trees along the east side of the
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garage, the narrowness of the walkway between the garage and the house, the overhang of
the garage and house roofs, and the wires overhanging that walkway, I don’t feel that Perez
could possibly have swung the 2x4 like baseball bat and struck Harrison while either of them
were still in the walkway.” Id. at 2.
In addition, Nutmeg was on notice that damages here could be very large. It received
a copy of Dr. McDonald’s report from plaintiff’s counsel which analyzed the substantial
elements of damages that the Perez Estate might recover. This report was sent to the attorney
for the City, Mr. Richards, see I App. Ex. 17, by the Estate’s attorney, Mr. Hall. The
McDonald report details a lost earning capacity of $527,826 through a work life of 33 years,
after federal and state income taxes, social security contributions and personal maintenance.
Dr. McDonald also calculated some $297,570 in household services rendered by the average
21-year-old male through a life expectancy of age 73. Furthermore, McDonald estimated
“hedonic damages or the value of life itself.” This report was acknowledged by Adjuster
Tompkins to have been received by him, and he referred to it and the details therein from a
government OSHA report with figures between $1,000,000 and $4,000,000 for loss of the
enjoyment of life. III App. at 790-91. Tompkins admitted on cross-examination that the
defense had no expert witnesses to challenge the $527,826 loss of earnings item in the
McDonald report, or the $297,570 item for lost household services. IV App. 866-67. We
have alluded earlier to Nutmeg’s recognition that the Perez Estate claim was emotionally
dangerous and this is a factor which must be taken into account. See Magnum Foods, Inc.
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v. Continental Cas. Co., 36 F.3d 1491, 1508 (10th Cir. 1994) (applying Oklahoma law)
(noting probable jury sympathy for the victim which strengthened a case against an insured).
The insurer was on notice of the risk of a verdict well over the $1,000,000 coverage.
The insurer did not make serious efforts to settle the case or engage in settlement
discussions. In May 1992, Hall discussed the possibility of settling the case for an amount
within the Albuquerque Police Department (APD) range of $250,000 to $400,000. III App.
at 643, 645-46. Defense counsel responded that Hobbs “won’t pay what Albuquerque pays,”
which ended the discussion. III App. at 643. On August 13, 1992, Hall submitted to
Richards a letter containing McDonald’s report and stated in the letter that he was “willing
to discuss any reasonable resolution of a lawsuit.” I App. Ex. 17. The defense made no
response to Hall’s suggestion to negotiate a settlement until the offer by the City to settle for
$50,000, submitted some two weeks before the trial began in December 1993, III App. at
644, which was rejected by plaintiff’s attorney as unreasonable. III App. at 651. And as
noted, plaintiff’s attorney Hall had advised the City’s attorney Richards that he “obviously
would have to recommend to my client that she accept any offers over $600,000.00.” II App.
Ex. 28.1, and this was forwarded to Tompkins with a cover letter by the City’s attorney
Richards, stating that he “enclose[d] offer of settlement dated November 20, 1993 from Brad
Hall.” II App. Ex. 28.
This evidence could reasonably support an inference of bad faith by the insurer in
light of the risk of a substantial verdict above the insurance coverage of the City of Hobbs.
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In Dairyland, 954 P.2d at 61, the New Mexico Supreme Court held that “when there is a
substantial likelihood of recovery in excess of limits, an insurer’s unwarranted refusal to
settle is a breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.” During Mr. Hall’s
testimony at the bad faith trial, he was asked whether he recalled any conversations with
Richards, the City’s defense attorney, on the possibility of settlement. Hall recalled vaguely
that he had mentioned the Albuquerque Police Department range; that this range was from
$300,000 to $400,000; and that this was not an offer, but was “an opening the door to a
possible conversation.” Richards did not open the door any further, and there is no other real
discussion of settlement in our record beyond the $50,000 earlier offer by the insurer, and the
$600,000 comment in Mr. Hall’s letter. And as discussed above, we feel that New Mexico
would hold that a cause of action for bad faith failure to settle can exist in the absence of a
firm offer in accord with the several cases adopting that view.
In sum, in light of the circumstances before it, the jury could reasonably have
determined that the insurer acted in bad faith, placing its interests above those of its insured.
Thus it was error to sustain the motion for judgment as a matter of law, taking the bad faith
case away from the jury.
C
The Claim of Error in the Exclusion of Testimony by the
City of Hobbs’ Expert on Insurance Claims Handling
At trial, the City of Hobbs called Keith Charleston as an opinion witness. The district
court permitted voir dire by Nutmeg’s counsel and sustained an objection by Nutmeg to the
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offer of proof of Charleston’s proposed testimony. III App. at 694. The district court held
that Mr. Charleston did not satisfy Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence,5 finding that
he lacked specialized knowledge about handling of bad faith cases in New Mexico involving
third party insurance disputes.
We review the exclusion of an expert witness’ testimony, which is challenged here,
for an abuse of discretion. Compton v. Subaru of America, Inc., 82 F.3d 1513, 1517-18
(10th Cir. 1996). There are two requirements that a party seeking to offer expert testimony
must satisfy before the trial judge may permit the witness to testify. First, the witness must
be expert. In re Paoli R.R. Yard PCB Litigation, 35 F.3d 717, 741 (3d Cir. 1994),
cert. denied, 513 U.S. 1190 (1995). “The fields of knowledge which may be drawn upon are
not limited merely to the scientific and technical but extend to all specialized knowledge.”
Fed. R. Evid. 702 advisory comm. note (1972). The district court appeared to accept
Mr. Charleston as an expert in some respects. III App. at 694. Mr. Charleston has
approximately 30 years of experience in claims adjustment and claims handling. Id. at 674,
685-87.
Second, the expert’s testimony must assist the trier of fact. The trial judge here found
5
Rule 702 provides:
If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the
trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness
qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education,
may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise.
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that Mr. Charleston’s opinion would not be helpful to the jury because: (1) the jury was
capable of determining the bad faith issue on its own, E.G. Thompson, 34 F.3d at 941; and
(2) Mr. Charleston lacked specialized knowledge on New Mexico bad faith cases and his
experience was with first party, not third party insurance disputes. III App. at 694.
We feel that the judge did not abuse his discretion by refusing to admit
Mr. Charleston’s proffered testimony on this record. Though a proffered expert possesses
knowledge as to a general field, the expert who lacks specific knowledge does not necessarily
assist the jury. Broadcort Capital Corp. v. Summa Medical Corp., 972 F.2d 1183, 1195 (10th
Cir. 1990); but see Compton v. Subaru of America, Inc., 82 F.3d at 1519-20 (district court
did not abuse its discretion in admitting expert witness’ testimony though witness possessed
general knowledge). Mr. Charleston did not demonstrate knowledge specific to New Mexico
and the handling of third party claims. Therefore, the judge did not abuse its discretion in
relying upon these factors to exclude the testimony. See Broadcort Capital, 972 F.2d at 1195.
We are remanding the case for further proceedings. Of course, expert testimony along
the line that the City proffered below may be produced again with different supporting
qualifications. That offer of proof should be assessed in light of qualifications then shown
and the requirements of Rule 702 and it might then be found proper for admission. We only
hold here that the specific ruling on this record, challenged on this appeal, was not an abuse
of discretion.
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Conclusion
Accordingly, we REVERSE the district court’s judgment for the defendants based
on the grant of Nutmeg’s motion for judgment as a matter of law and REMAND the case for
further proceedings consistent with this opinion.
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