DocketNumber: No. CV95 0376404
Citation Numbers: 1997 Conn. Super. Ct. 13310, 21 Conn. L. Rptr. 102
Judges: ZOARSKI, J.
Filed Date: 12/8/1997
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 4/17/2021
On August 21, 1995 ABB-CE moved to intervene pursuant to General Statutes §
The intervening plaintiff/third-party defendant, ABB-CE, filed a motion to strike UI's counterclaim on June 17, 1997. ABB-CE moved to strike on the ground that: 1) UI's counterclaim fails to plead circumstances that would make ABB-CE liable for indemnification and 2) indemnification is improper because the negligence of an injured employee cannot be imputed to the employer. UI filed an objection to the motion to strike and supporting memorandum on July 16, 1997. Oral argument was held at short calendar on July 28, 1997.
"The purpose of a motion to strike is to contest the legal sufficiency of any complaint . . . to state a claim upon which relief can be granted." Novametrix Medical Systems Inc. v. BOCGroup, Inc.,
The intervening plaintiff/third-party defendant, ABB-CE, offers two arguments in support of its motion to strike. First, ABB-CE states that UI's counterclaim is legally insufficient as there is no possible scenario which will trigger the indemnification clause of the contract between ABB-CE and UI. Moreover, ABB-CE argues that the indemnification clause between the two parties does not clearly provide for ABB-CE to indemnify UI for UI's own negligence. Secondly, ABB-CE argues that the negligence of an injured employee may not be imputed to the employer so as to render the employer liable in indemnity for the injuries sustained by the employee.
The defendant/third-party plaintiff UI objects to both these arguments and maintains that the counterclaim is legally sufficient. UI objects to ABB-CE's first ground for the motion to strike by relying on the language of the contract entitling UI to indemnification. UI's objection to the second ground for the motion to strike is based on the contractual nature of the legally binding agreement between UI and ABB-CE. As such, UI claims that ABB-CE's second argument for its motion to strike is irrelevant and ignores the actual sufficiency of UI's counterclaim.
The Connecticut Worker's Compensation Statute, General Statutes §
The underlying indemnification agreement between ABB-CE and UI arises from a construction contract between the two parties. In the context of construction contracts, there is an additional prohibition as to indemnification. General Statutes §
In accordance with these statutes, the third-party plaintiff, UI, alleges an independent legal duty arising out of a contractual indemnification agreement between UI and ABB-CE. The pleadings do not seek any indemnification for acts for which UI might be held solely negligent.
The indemnification agreement between the employer and the indemnitee must explicitly state that the employer agrees to indemnify the non-employer for the employer's negligence. SeeO'Rourke v. Trusthouse Forte Food Services, judicial district of Stamford/Norwalk at Stamford, Docket No. 118880 (January 11, 1995, Lewis, J) (
"Where there is definitive contract language, the determination of what the parties intended by their contractual agreement is a question of law." Bank of Boston v. Schlesinger,
UI's counterclaim is based on a clearly-worded indemnity agreement. In relevant part, the indemnity agreement reads: "[T]he Contractor [ABB-CE] . . . agrees . . . to indemnify and save UI harmless from liability and costs and expenses resulting from . . . all such accidents, injuries and damages that may happen or occur on the jobsite and are caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the contractor, its employees, agents, and subcontractors while working on the jobsite . . . ." (Defendant UI's memorandum in support of its objection to motion to strike, Attachment A.) The facts alleged, construed in a manner most favorable to the non-moving party, sufficiently state a cause of action. Based on the language of the indemnification agreement drafted by ABB-CE, ABB-CE clearly intended to indemnify UI.
ABB-CE also argues that, whatever the outcome of the underlying suit may eventually be, the indemnification clause will not be triggered and thus the counterclaim is legally insufficient. ABB-CE asserts that "if it is found that the plaintiff's own negligence caused his injuries, and that UI was not negligent in full or in part for the plaintiff's injuries, then plaintiff will not obtain a judgment against UI and the indemnity agreement is moot." See O'Rourke v. Trusthouse ForteFood Services, supra, Superior Court, Docket No. 118880;Echevarria v. Trinity College, supra, Superior Court, Docket No. 396065.
The indemnification clause need not become moot should the plaintiff lose his underlying case. ABB-CE's argument does not take into consideration any costs UI might have incurred in obtaining such a judgment. The indemnification agreement states that "[t]he contractor . . . agrees to . . . save UI harmless from liability and costs and expenses resulting therefrom. . . ." (Emphasis added) (UI's memorandum in support of its objection to the motion to strike, attachment A.) "[I]t is reasonable to interpret the term ``costs' in the agreement to include the costs of successfully defending a third-party action . . . ." Leonard Concrete Pipe Co. v. C.W. Blakeslee Sons Inc., supra,
The indemnification agreement may be triggered. While UI may not seek indemnification for its sole negligence, it may seek CT Page 13314 indemnification otherwise. See Burkle v. Car Truck Leasing Co.,
Thus, ABB-CE's first argument in support of its motion to strike must fail. The facts alleged, construed in the manner most favorable to the pleader, sufficiently state a cause of action based on indemnification for the negligence of the plaintiff Fiorello.1
ABB-CE's alternative ground in support for its motion to strike is that the "negligence of an injured employee may not be imputed to the employer, so as to render the employer liable in indemnity for the injuries sustained by the employee." Both parties agree that this is an issue of first impression for the Connecticut courts. To support their respective arguments, both parties offer numerous decisions from foreign jurisdictions.
ABB-CE's argument relies on the holding of Drewery v. DaspitBrothers Marine Divers,
The cases cited by UI attack Drewery's implicit distinction and the logic behind it. Eastern Airlines, Inc. v. Insurance Co.CT Page 13315of North America, supra,
Foremost, the distinction made by Drewery between a third-party injured through the employee's negligence and an injury to an employee caused by his own negligence is challenged. The cases that do not follow Drewery question this difference from the standpoint of the parties making the agreement themselves. The parties making the agreement focus on a duty owed by the indemnitor to indemnitee, not other duties that arise out of the employer-employee relationship. The applicable issue is the negligent act, rather than what conduct should be technically labeled a non-fictional tort. Eastern Airlines, Inc.v. Insurance Co. of North America, supra,
The cases that reject Drewery also point out that indemnification lies primarily in contract and not in tort. Thus, it should be the language of the contract, not the specific injury involved, that controls any possible indemnification. "The language of the contract neither limits to a particular type of employee upon which indemnification may be based nor excludes the negligence of the particular employee as a factor which may make the indemnification provision operative." Shenker v. AmericanStevedores, supra, 322 F.2d 629.
Connecticut courts have not had the chance to address these conflicting views. Based on Connecticut precedent involving indemnity clauses, this court follows the lead of those cases which explicitly reject Drewery and its progeny. Connecticut courts have interpreted indemnity agreements from a contractual standpoint. An indemnity agreement is to be construed like any other contract. Burr v. Lichtenheim,
Basic contract construction holds that the language used must be accorded its common, natural and ordinary meaning and usage where it can be sensibly applied to the subject matter of the contract. Barnard v. Barnard, supra,
The contract which forms the basis of UI's counterclaim states in relevant part; that: "the contractor [ABB-CE] . . . agrees . . . to indemnify and save UI harmless from liability and costs and expenses resulting from . . . all such accidents, injuries and damages that may happen or occur on the jobsite and are caused by the negligent acts or omissions of the contractor, its employees, agents . . . ." (UI's memorandum in support of its motion to strike, attachment A.)
The UI contract with ABB-CE does not limit indemnity to negligent acts that injure only third-party persons. Rather, the agreement calls for indemnification of "all" negligent acts. "There cannot be any broader classification than the word ``all' . . . . In its ordinary and natural meanings, the word ``all' leaves no room for exceptions." Burkle v. Car TruckLeasing Co., supra,
Notwithstanding the sole negligence of the indemnitee exception stated in General Statutes § 52-527k(a), the "plain meaning of the words employed in the contract fairly includes a promise to indemnify even the negligent indemnitee." Id. "Absent some cogent reason such as mistake or unconscionability, there is no reason why a court should not enforce the bargain that the parties have made." Mack Financial Corporation v. Crossley,
The second ground for the motion to strike must fail as well. The facts alleged, construed in a manner most favorable to the pleader, support a proper and sufficient cause of action for indemnification based on the independent contract between the involved parties.
The defendant/third-party plaintiff UI has alleged sufficient facts to state a claim for indemnification. Accordingly, the plaintiff/third-party defendant ABB-CE's motion to strike is denied.
ZOARSKI, J. CT Page 13317
bobby-r-nutt-union-oil-company-of-california-and-aetna-casualty-and , 552 F.2d 1126 ( 1977 )
Arista Cia. DeVapores, S. A. v. Howard Terminal , 372 F.2d 152 ( 1967 )
maxwell-shenker-libelant-appellee-v-united-states-of-america , 322 F.2d 622 ( 1963 )
Binswanger Glass Co. v. Beers Construction Co. , 141 Ga. App. 715 ( 1977 )
Paquin v. Harnischfeger Corp. , 113 Mich. App. 43 ( 1982 )
Leonard Concrete Pipe Co. v. C. W. Blakeslee & Sons, Inc. , 178 Conn. 594 ( 1979 )
Sullivan v. State , 189 Conn. 550 ( 1983 )
Burr v. Lichtenheim , 190 Conn. 351 ( 1983 )
Burkle v. Car & Truck Leasing Co. , 1 Conn. App. 54 ( 1983 )