Comisford v. Erie Ins. Property Cas. Co.

[Cite as Comisford v. Erie Ins. Property Cas. Co., 2011-Ohio-1373.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO
FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
GALLIA COUNTY
Krystal Comisford, et al., :
:
Plaintiffs-Appellees, : Case No: 10CA3
:
v. :
: DECISION AND
Erie Insurance Property : JUDGMENT ENTRY
Casualty Company, et al., :
:
Defendants-Appellants. : File-stamped date: 2-11-11
APPEARANCES:
Matthew J. Perry, Lamp, O’Dell, Bartram, Levy & Trautwein, P.L.L.C., Huntington, West
Virginia, for Defendants-Appellants.
Steven L. Story and Robert W. Bright, Story Law Office, Pomeroy, Ohio, and Jeff Finley,
Eachus & Finley, Gallipolis, Ohio, for Plaintiff-Appellee.
Kline, J.:
{¶1} Erie Insurance Property Casualty Company, et al., (hereinafter “Erie”) appeals
the judgment of the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas, which granted summary
judgment in favor of Krystal Comisford (f/k/a Krystal Hutchinson; hereinafter “Krystal”).
Krystal’s daughter, Xzandria Hutchinson (hereinafter “Xzandria”), died in a tragic fire at
the home of Ronnie and Patty Hutchinson (together, the “Hutchinsons”). Erie insured
the Hutchinsons at the time of the fire, and Krystal sought a declaratory judgment
regarding the Hutchinsons’ insurance coverage. Essentially, Krystal asked the trial
court to determine whether the Hutchinsons’ insurance policy covers the injuries that
Xzandria suffered in the fire. Krystal and Erie filed competing motions for summary
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 2
judgment on the coverage issue, and the trial court found that the insurance policy does
indeed cover Xzandria.
{¶2} Erie asserts several arguments on appeal. Initially, we will address Erie’s
argument that the trial court should have granted a continuance before ruling on the
competing motions for summary judgment. Because Erie did not file an affidavit as
required by Civ.R. 56(F), we disagree. Erie also contends that the trial court erred by
granting summary judgment in favor of Krystal. After interpreting the insurance contract
and construing the record in Erie’s favor, we disagree. Instead, we find the following:
(1) there are no genuine issues of material fact; (2) as a matter of law, Krystal is entitled
to a declaratory judgment finding that the insurance policy covers Xzandria’s bodily
injuries; and (3) reasonable minds can come to just one conclusion, and that conclusion
is adverse to Erie. Finally, Erie contends that the trial court erred by not granting Erie’s
own motion for summary judgment. Because this argument is moot, we decline to
address it. See App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
{¶3} Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
I.
{¶4} Krystal and Heath Hutchinson (hereinafter “Heath”) are the parents of
Xzandria and Orie Hutchinson (hereinafter “Orie”), and the Hutchinsons are Xzandria
and Orie’s paternal grandparents. On January 7, 2007, Xzandria died in a tragic fire at
the Hutchinsons’ home. (Orie was also injured in the fire, but his injuries are not at
issue in the present case.) The Hutchinsons had insurance coverage through Erie at
the time of the fire. (Hereinafter, we will refer to the insurance contract between Erie
and the Hutchinsons as the “Policy.”)
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 3
{¶5} As a result of Xzandria’s death, Krystal filed the present case in both her
individual capacity and as the administratrix of Xzandria’s estate. Krystal’s complaint
includes the following five counts: (1) a survival claim against the Hutchinsons; (2) a
wrongful death claim against the Hutchinsons; (3) a breach-of-contract claim against
Erie; (4) a lack-of-good-faith claim against Erie; and (5) a declaratory judgment
“construing the [Policy] and the terms, limitations, and exclusions contained in the
[Policy].” Complaint at 6. The trial court stayed counts one through four pending a
resolution of Krystal’s request for a declaratory judgment, and the present appeal
concerns only the issues raised in the declaratory-judgment count.
{¶6} In seeking a declaratory judgment, Krystal asked the court to declare whether
the Policy covers the injuries that Xzandria suffered in the fire. Under the Policy, Erie
promises to “pay all sums up to the amount shown on the Declarations which anyone
we protect becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of bodily injury or
property damage caused by an occurrence during the policy period. [Erie] will pay for
only bodily injury or property damage covered by this policy.” (Emphasis sic.) The
Policy, however, contains the following exclusion from coverage: “We do not cover
under Bodily Injury Liability Coverage, Property Damage Liability Coverage or Personal
Injury Liability Coverage: * * * Bodily injury or personal injury to you and if residents
of your household, your relatives, and persons under the age of 21 in your care or in
the care of your resident relatives.” (Emphasis sic.) (Hereinafter, we will refer to this
exclusionary language as the “Policy Exclusion.”) Essentially, Krystal and Erie disagree
as to whether the Policy Exclusion applies to Xzandria’s bodily injuries. Because
Xzandria was five-years old at the time of the fire, it is undisputed that she was under
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 4
the age of 21. But the parties disagree as to whether Xzandria was (1) a resident of the
Hutchinsons’ household and/or (2) in the Hutchinsons’ care.
A. Proceedings in the Juvenile Court
{¶7} It is undisputed that, starting in June 2006, the Hutchinsons had temporary
custody of Xzandria. On June 9, 2006, the Gallia County Court of Common Pleas,
Juvenile Division, granted the following motion: “Now come Ronnie and Patty
Hutchinson, [who] hereby move[] this court for an Order granting them Temporary
Custody of their two minor grandchildren to wit: Orie Hutchinson d.o.b. 1/22/2002 and
Xzandria Hutchinson d.o.b. 7/5/2000. The grounds in support of this Motion are that
circumstances have arisen in the life of the natural parents Heath and Krystal
Hutchinson which make it impossible for them to care for the children at this time.
{¶8} “The parents join in the request for this temporary change of custody.”
{¶9} Accordingly, the parties agree that Xzandria lived with the Hutchinsons for a
period of time starting in June 2006. The parties disagree, however, as to when
Xzandria stopped being a resident of the Hutchinsons’ household.
{¶10} On October 19, 2006, Krystal filed the following pro se motion in the juvenile
court: “Now comes Krystal Hutchinson [who] hereby requests the Court to schedule a
hearing for the purpose of [e]mergency visitation for my two minor children. Ronnie &
Patty Hutchinson are refusing visitation for me with my children. I voluntarily signed
over Temp. Custody and I am now stable enough to visit with my children and have
custody returned * * *.”
{¶11} On October 23, 2006, Krystal filed another motion: “Here comes Krystal
Hutchinson in the matter of a pro se Emergency Visitation order on Xzandria Summer
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 5
Hutchinson & Orie Nathanial Eugene Hutchinson to be dismissed immediately due to
the fact I am able to have visitation with my children at this time. * * *.” (Emphasis sic.)
In one of her affidavits, Krystal stated that, shortly after she filed the October 19, 2006
motion, “the Hutchinsons’ [sic] allowed the children to return home with [her] and [her]
husband at [their] residence[.] * * * Thereafter, on October 23, 2006, the [juvenile] Court
dismissed the case in its entirety[.]” December 3, 2009 Affidavit of Krystal Comisford at
¶7-8. And indeed, the juvenile court dismissed the “above styled action” in an October
23, 2006 entry.
{¶12} After the fire, on April 2, 2007, the juvenile court entered the following
ORDER GRANTING CUSTODY: “This matter came on before the Court upon the joint
application of all concerned parties seeking a return of custody of the two minor children
to wit: Orie Hutchinson * * * and Xzandria Hutchinson * * * to their nat[u]ral parents
Heath and Krystal Hutchinson.
{¶13} “The Court finds that there had previously been a voluntary transfer of
custody of the minor children to the paternal grandparents Ronnie and Patty Hutchinson
due to health problems in the parents[’] family. It appears that the situation has
resolved itself and all parties have indicated that the need for the grandparents to have
custody no longer exists and that the best interests require that custody be returned to
the parents.
{¶14} “It is therefore ORDERED that custody of the minor children is hereby
returned to * * * Heath and Krystal Hutchinson.”
B. Affidavits and Answers to Interrogatories
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 6
{¶15} In her initial affidavit, Krystal testified as to Xzandria’s living arrangements at
the time of the fire. As Krystal stated, “Xzandria resided with me, my husband and her
brother * * * until her death; [and a]t the time of the fire at the Hutchinsons’ residence on
January 7, 2007, my children were visiting for the weekend with the grandparents and
were not residents of that home[.]” December 3, 2009 Affidavit of Krystal Comisford at
¶9-10. Krystal further stated that “[a]ny items of the children which were left at the
Hutchinsons’ residence after October 23, 2006[,] were items which were not necessary
for the children’s health and well being. All necessary items were removed from the
Hutchinsons’ residence before the fire[.]” December 30, 2009 Affidavit of Krystal
Comisford at ¶11.
{¶16} In her answers to Erie’s interrogatories, Krystal claimed (1) that she and
Heath had legal custody of Xzandria on January 7, 2007; (2) that Xzandria was a
resident of her household at the time of the fire; (3) that the last time Xzandria stayed
with her overnight was January 4, 2007; and (4) that the last time she saw Xzandria was
the day before the fire. Erie offered no evidence to rebut Krystal’s claims regarding
either the legal custody of Xzandria or Xzandria’s living arrangements at the time of the
fire.
C. Summary Judgment Proceedings
{¶17} Both Krystal and Erie filed motions for summary judgment on the declaratory-
judgment issue, and both parties based their motions, in part, on the juvenile-court
proceedings. Erie claimed that the Hutchinsons had temporary custody of Xzandria
from June 9, 2006 until April 2, 2007 – the date on which the juvenile court returned
custody of Xzandria to Heath and Krystal. And by claiming that the Hutchinsons had
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 7
custody of Xzandria, Erie maintained that Xzandria was a “resident” of the Hutchinsons’
household on January 7, 2007. Krystal’s motion for summary judgment, however,
argued that Krystal and Heath regained legal custody of Xzandria on October 23, 2006
– the date on which the juvenile-court dismissed the temporary-custody proceedings. In
the alternative, Krystal argued that the juvenile court proceedings were void ab initio
because no complaint was ever filed in the juvenile court. For that reason, Krystal
argued that the Hutchinsons never had custody of Xzandria and that Xzandria was
always in the custody of Krystal and Heath. Under either of her alternative arguments,
Krystal argued that the Hutchinsons did not have custody of Xzandria on January 7,
2007, and, therefore, Xzandria was not a resident of the Hutchinsons’ household at the
time of the fire.
{¶18} Krystal also made arguments based on her submitted evidence, which,
according to Krystal, demonstrated that Xzandria was not a resident of the Hutchinsons’
household on January 7, 2007.
{¶19} The trial court held a hearing on the competing motions for summary
judgment. “[I]n chambers prior to the hearing,” Erie indicated that it “wished to call two
witnesses to present testimony[.]” February 10, 2010 Journal Entry at 1. The trial court,
however, did not allow the two witnesses (presumably the Hutchinsons) to testify at the
hearing. During the hearing, Erie’s attorney made the following statement: “* * * I
understand that at this point and time the Court’s not at liberty to take this under issue,
but prior to the hearing I raised the fact that Ronnie and Patty Hutchinson factually
completely dispute uh, Krystal[]’s affidavit as to where the children were residing up
through the point and time of the fire. Um, if the Court finds that to be a determinative
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 8
issue um, then I would move that the Court withhold its ruling to allow me to secure the
deposition testimony of either or both of the grandparents to submit in supplementation
to the initial motion because clearly there is an issue on whether or not the, the children
were in fact back to their mother’s home.” Transcript of Proceedings at 33. On appeal,
Erie contends that this statement amounted to a request for a continuance.
{¶20} Krystal opposed Erie’s request. As one of Krystal’s attorneys said, “Why
bring this up now? You know, we have to, you have to rely on your decision based on
what you have before it. Why were they not deposed before? Why not get an affidavit?
* * * We had a briefing schedule, we’re here for this. We had an affidavit in our very first
motion we filed and then we put, and then a supplemental affidavit in the second one.
We got no affidavits, no [Civ.R. 56(C)] evidence in their original motion for summary
judgment nor in their response. And [Civ.R. 56(C)] says, it tells you what, that the, the
uh, the average party prior to the day of hearing may, prior to the day of hearing,
yesterday uh, may serve and file [appropriate evidence] to show there’s a genuine issue
to any fact. I mean [they] had up until yesterday to give an affidavit and it’s not here.”
Transcript of Proceedings at 34-35.
{¶21} The trial court did not explicitly rule on Erie’s request for a continuance.
Instead, the trial court (1) granted Krystal’s motion for summary judgment and (2)
denied Erie’s motion for summary judgment. The trial court found that the juvenile court
proceedings were “void ab initio” and, as a result, that the Hutchinsons never had
custody of Xzandria. Furthermore, based on the submitted evidence, the trial court
found that Xzandria was not a “resident” of the Hutchinsons’ household. For these
reasons, the trial court found that Xzandria “was not excluded under the Erie policy in
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 9
question.” February 10, 2010 Journal Entry at 11. And finally, under Civ.R. 54(B), the
trial court certified that “there is no just reason for delay.” February 10, 2010 Journal
Entry at 12.
D. Assignments of Error
{¶22} Erie appeals and asserts the following three assignments of error: I. “The trial
court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of the Plaintiff-Appellee.” II. “The
Trial court erred in failing to grant summary judgment for the Defendant-Appellant.”
And, III. “The trial court erred in failing to grant the Defendant-Appellant a continuance
of the hearing on the cross motions for summary judgment in order to secure testimony
to rebut the affidavits of Plaintiff-Appellee.”
II.
{¶23} Because its resolution could impact our analysis of Erie’s first-and-second
assignments of error, we will review Erie’s third assignment of error out of order. In its
third assignment of error, Erie contends that the trial court should have granted Erie a
continuance so that Erie could “compel the deposition testimony of Ronnie and Patty
Hutchinson[.]” Brief for Appellant at 34.
{¶24} There is some dispute as to whether Erie actually requested a continuance.
But we will assume, without deciding, that it did. And although the trial court did not
explicitly rule on the request for a continuance, “motions that a trial court fails to
explicitly rule upon are deemed denied once a court enters final judgment.” Savage v.
Cody-Ziegler, Inc., Athens App. No. 06CA5, 2006-Ohio-2760, at ¶28.
{¶25} “Pursuant to Civ.R. 56(F), a party may seek additional time in which to
develop the facts needed to adequately oppose a motion for summary judgment. * * *
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 10
Absent an abuse of discretion, an appellate court will not reverse a trial court’s ruling on
a Civ.R. 56(F) motion.” Ford Motor Credit Co. v. Ryan, Franklin App. Nos. 09AP-501,
09AP-555, 10AP-263, & 10AP-274, 2010-Ohio-4601, at ¶100, citing State ex rel.
Sawyer v. Cuyahoga Cty. Dept. of Children and Family Servs., 110 Ohio St.3d 343,
2006-Ohio-4574, at ¶9 (other internal citations omitted). An abuse of discretion
connotes more than a mere error of judgment; it implies that the court’s attitude is
arbitrary, unreasonable, or unconscionable. Blakemore v. Blakemore (1983), 5 Ohio
St.3d 217, 219.
{¶26} Civ.R. 56(F) provides: “Should it appear from the affidavits of a party
opposing the motion for summary judgment that the party cannot for sufficient reasons
stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify the party’s opposition, the court may
refuse the application for judgment or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be
obtained or discovery to be had or may make such other order as is just.”
{¶27} “Civ.R. 56(F) requires the party seeking a continuance to submit an affidavit
stating sufficient reasons why the party cannot present facts essential to justify the
party’s opposition to the summary judgment motion.” Perpetual Fed. Sav. Bank v.
TDS2 Property Mgt., LLC, Franklin App. No. 09AP-285, 2009-Ohio-6774, at ¶13, citing
ABN AMRO Mortgage Group, Inc. v. Roush, Franklin App. No. 04AP-457, 2005-Ohio-
1763, at ¶22. “When no affidavit is presented in support of a motion for extension under
Civ.R. 56(F), a court may not grant an extension pursuant thereto.” Cook v. Toledo
Hosp., 169 Ohio App.3d 180, 2006-Ohio-5278, at ¶42, citing Vilardo v. Sheets,
Clermont App. No. CA2005-09-091, 2006-Ohio-3473, at ¶29. See, also, St. Joseph’s
Hosp. v. Hoyt, Washington App. No. 04CA20, 2005-Ohio-480, at ¶24; Coleman v.
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 11
Beachwood, Cuyahoga App. No. 92399, 2009-Ohio-5560, at ¶12. Here, it is undisputed
that Erie failed to submit the required affidavit. Therefore, the trial court did not have the
authority to grant a continuance pursuant to Civ.R. 56(F), and we cannot find that the
trial court abused its discretion.
{¶28} Accordingly, we overrule Erie’s third assignment of error.
III.
{¶29} Before addressing Erie’s remaining assignments of error, we must note the
following procedural issue. In its appellate brief, Erie has failed to separately argue its
first-and-second assignments of error as required by App.R. 16(A)(7). Instead, Erie has
presented just one argument in support of both assignments of error. Under App.R.
12(A)(2), we may choose to disregard any assignment of error that an appellant fails to
separately argue. Therefore, we could exercise our discretionary authority to summarily
overrule Erie’s first-and-second assignments of error. See Newman v. Enriquez, 171
Ohio App.3d 117, 2007-Ohio-1934, at ¶18; Mtge. Electronic Registrations Sys. v.
Mullins, 161 Ohio App.3d 12, 2005-Ohio-2303, at ¶22, citing Park v. Ambrose (1993),
85 Ohio App.3d 179, 186; State v. Caldwell (1992), 79 Ohio App.3d 667, 677, fn. 3. In
the interest of justice, however, we choose to address Erie’s first assignment of error.
Furthermore, because we find that the trial court did not err in granting summary
judgment for Krystal, we need not address Erie’s second assignment of error. See
App.R. 12(A)(1)(c).
{¶30} In its first assignment of error, Erie contends that the trial court erred by
granting Krystal’s motion for summary judgment. “Because this case was decided upon
summary judgment, we review this matter de novo, governed by the standard set forth
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 12
in Civ.R. 56.” Comer v. Risko, 106 Ohio St.3d 185, 2005-Ohio-4559, at ¶8. Summary
judgment is appropriate only when the following have been established: (1) there is no
genuine issue as to any material fact, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a
matter of law, and (3) reasonable minds can come to only one conclusion, and that
conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party. Civ.R. 56(C). See, also, Bostic v.
Connor (1988), 37 Ohio St.3d 144, 146; Grimes v. Grimes, Washington App. No.
08CA35, 2009-Ohio-3126, at ¶14. In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the
court must construe the record and all inferences that arise from it in the opposing
party’s favor. Doe v. First United Methodist Church, 68 Ohio St.3d 531, 535, 1994-
Ohio-531, superseded by statute on other grounds.
{¶31} The burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists falls upon
the party who moves for summary judgment. Dresher v. Burt, 75 Ohio St.3d 280, 294,
1996-Ohio-107. However, once the movant supports his or her motion with appropriate
evidentiary materials, the nonmoving party “may not rest upon the mere allegations or
denials of the party’s pleadings, but the party’s response, by affidavit or as otherwise
provided in this rule, must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue
for trial.” Civ.R. 56(E). See, also, Dresher at 294-295; Grimes at ¶15.
{¶32} “In reviewing whether an entry of summary judgment is appropriate, an
appellate court must independently review the record and the inferences that can be
drawn from it to determine if the opposing party can possibly prevail.” Grimes at ¶16
(citation omitted). “Accordingly, we afford no deference to the trial court’s decision in
answering that legal question.” Morehead v. Conley (1991), 75 Ohio App.3d 409, 412.
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 13
See, also, Schwartz v. Bank One, Portsmouth, N.A. (1992), 84 Ohio App.3d 806, 809;
Grimes at ¶16.
{¶33} The sole question before us is whether the Policy covers Xzandria’s bodily
injuries – or, put another way, whether Xzandria falls under the Policy Exclusion. “[T]he
interpretation of an insurance contract is a matter of law, which we review de novo.”
Siegfried v. Farmers Ins. of Columbus, Inc., 187 Ohio App.3d 710, 2010-Ohio-1173, at
¶11, citing Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co. v. Guman Bros. Farm, 73 Ohio St.3d 107, 108,
1995-Ohio-214. “In interpreting an insurance policy, the court’s role is to give effect to
the intent of the parties to the agreement. In doing so, [w]e examine the insurance
contract as a whole and presume that the intent of the parties is reflected in the
language used in the policy. We look to the plain and ordinary meaning of the language
used in the policy unless another meaning is clearly apparent from the contents of the
policy. When the language of a written contract is clear, a court may look no further
than the writing itself to find the intent of the parties.” Eastley v. Volkman, Scioto App.
Nos. 09CA3308 & 09CA3309, 2010-Ohio-4771, at ¶50, citing Westfield Ins. Co. v.
Galatis, 100 Ohio St.3d 216, 2003-Ohio-5849, at ¶11 (internal quotations omitted)
(alteration sic). However, “[w]here provisions of a contract of insurance are reasonably
susceptible of more than one interpretation, they will be construed strictly against the
insurer and liberally in favor of the insured.” King v. Nationwide Ins. Co. (1988), 35 Ohio
St.3d 208, syllabus.
{¶34} The Policy Exclusion states the following: “We do not cover * * *: Bodily
injury or personal injury to you and if residents of your household, your relatives,
and persons under the age of 21 in your care or in the care of your resident relatives.”
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 14
(Emphasis sic.) In part, the Policy defines a resident as “a person who physically lives
with you in your household.” (Emphasis sic.) Erie contends that the Policy does not
cover Xzandria because, at the time of the fire, she was either (1) a resident of the
Hutchinsons’ household or (2) in the Hutchinsons’ care. In contrast, Krystal contends
that the Policy Exclusion does not apply because Xzandria was neither (1) a resident of
the Hutchinsons’ household nor (2) in the Hutchinsons’ care at the time of the fire.
A. Was Xzandria a Resident of the Hutchinsons’ Household?
{¶35} As to whether Xzandria was a resident of the Hutchinsons’ household, Erie
and Krystal base much of their respective arguments on the jurisdiction (or lack thereof)
of the juvenile court. Essentially, Erie contends that the Hutchinsons had temporary
custody of Xzandria until April 2, 2007 – the date on which the juvenile court returned
custody of Xzandria to Heath and Krystal. And for that reason, Erie argues that
Xzandria was a “resident” of the Hutchinsons’ household at the time of the fire. See
R.C. 2151.06 (“[A] child has the same residence or legal settlement as his parents, legal
guardian of his person, or his custodian who stands in the relation of loco parentis.”).
Krystal, however, argues that the juvenile court never had jurisdiction over the matter
because a complaint was not filed pursuant to Juv.R. 14 and R.C. 2151.27. In the
alternative, Krystal argues that the April 2, 2007 order is a nullity because the juvenile
court divested itself of jurisdiction by dismissing the case on October 23, 2006. For
these reasons, Krystal argues that the Hutchinsons did not have temporary custody of
Xzandria and, as a result, that Xzandria was not a resident of the Hutchinsons’
household at the time of the fire.
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 15
{¶36} Here, we need not comment on the juvenile court’s jurisdiction (or lack
thereof) to resolve Erie’s first assignment of error. Instead, we believe that Erie’s first
assignment of error turns on the plain language of R.C. 2151.011(B)(53). Under R.C.
2151.011(B)(53), “‘Temporary custody’ means legal custody of a child who is removed
from the child’s home, which custody may be terminated at any time at the discretion of
the court or, if the legal custody is granted in an agreement for temporary custody, by
the person who executed the agreement.” (Emphasis added.) It is undisputed that
Krystal, Heath, and the Hutchinsons agreed that the Hutchinsons would have temporary
custody of Xzandria. Thus, under the plain language of R.C. 2151.011(B)(53), the
parties could terminate their agreement for temporary custody at any time. And in her
December 3, 2009 affidavit, Krystal stated that the “Hutchinsons[] allowed the children
to return home with [her] and [her] husband” in October 2006. Furthermore, in her
answers to Erie’s interrogatories, Krystal stated (1) that she had legal custody of
Xzandria at the time of the fire and (2) that the Hutchinsons “let Xzandria * * * come
home with [her] permanently” that October. Thus, Krystal’s evidence demonstrates (1)
that the parties terminated their temporary custody agreement in October 2006; (2) that
Xzandria lived with Krystal and Heath in January 2007; and (3) that Xzandria was
merely visiting the Hutchinsons’ household at the time of the fire. (Finally, we note that
the juvenile court dismissed the temporary-custody case on October 23, 2006. This
action comports with Krystal’s evidence regarding the end of temporary custody.)
{¶37} Erie produced nothing to rebut Krystal’s evidence regarding either (1) the end
of temporary custody or (2) Xzandria’s living arrangements. Thus, Erie failed to carry its
burden under Civ.R. 56(C). See, e.g., Whitley v. River’s Bend Health Care, 183 Ohio
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 16
App.3d 145, 2009-Ohio-3366, at ¶9 (stating that “the onus shifts to the nonmoving party
to provide rebuttal evidentiary materials”); Trout v. Parker (1991), 72 Ohio App.3d 720,
723 (“[O]nce the moving party has properly carried its burden of production, the
nonmoving party then has a burden of rebuttal to supply evidentiary materials
supporting the contrary position.”). In other words, Erie failed to create a genuine issue
of material fact regarding either (1) the legal custody of Xzandria or (2) Xzandria’s living
arrangements at the time of the fire. Accordingly, no reasonable mind could conclude
that Xzandria was a resident of the Hutchinsons’ household under either the Policy or
applicable Ohio law. See R.C. 2151.06; Farmers Ins. of Columbus, Inc. v. Taylor
(1987), 39 Ohio App.3d 68, syllabus (“* * * A ‘resident of your household’ refers to one
who lives in the home of the named insured for a period of some duration or regularity,
although not necessarily there permanently, but excludes a temporary or transient
visitor.”); see, generally, Entenman v. Auto-Owners Ins. Co. (2000), 136 Ohio App.3d
541, 547-58 (finding that the term “resident” should be construed liberally “in favor of the
claimant seeking coverage”).
B. Was Xzandria in the Care of the Hutchinsons?
{¶38} Next, we must determine whether Xzandria was in the Hutchinsons’ care at
the time of the fire. As used in the Policy Exclusion, the plain and ordinary meaning of
“care” is the “responsibility for or attention to safety and well-being[.]” Webster’s Third
New International Dictionary (2002). Clearly, the Hutchinsons had the responsibility for
Xzandria’s safety and well-being while she stayed at their home. And for that reason,
Erie argues that the Policy does not cover Xzandria’s bodily injuries. Krystal, however,
contends that Xzandria’s bodily injuries are covered because “[t]he term ‘if residents of
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 17
your household’ applies to both the relatives and to the persons under the age of 21 in
your care[.]” Plaintiff/Appellee’s Appeal Brief at 15. In other words, Krystal argues that,
under the Policy Exclusion, both of the following must apply: (1) Xzandria was in the
Hutchinsons’ care at the time of the fire and (2) Xzandria was a resident of the
Hutchinsons’ household.
{¶39} We find the language of the Policy Exclusion to be ambiguous. In relevant
part, the Policy Exclusion applies “to you and if residents of your household, your
relatives, and persons under the age of 21 in your care or in the care of your resident
relatives.” (Emphasis sic.) Here, one could reasonably conclude that, for the Policy
Exclusion to apply, only “your relatives” need also be “residents of your household.”
Under this interpretation, the clause “if residents of your household” applies only to
“your relatives” and has no bearing on “persons under the age of 21 in your care[.]”
Although this is a reasonable interpretation, one could just as reasonably conclude that
the clause “if residents of your household” applies to both categories in the subsequent
list – that is, it applies to both “your relatives” and to “persons under the age of 21 in
your care or in the care of your resident relatives.” (We note that the Policy’s definition
of “anyone we protect” seems to support Krystal’s interpretation of the Policy
Exclusion. As defined, the Policy protects only “you” and “residents of your”
household. According to Erie, “[t]he rationale of [the Policy Exclusion] is clear – if you
are insured under the Policy, you are not also entitled to seek recovery as a third party
claimant.” Defendant Erie Insurance Exchange’s Motion For Summary Judgment at 9.
Based on this rationale, it seems more likely that the Policy Exclusion would apply only
to residents of the household; i.e., anyone that the policy protects.) Because we believe
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 18
that both interpretations of the Policy Exclusion are reasonable, we find that the Policy
Exclusion is ambiguous.
{¶40} “If provisions are susceptible of more than one interpretation, they ‘will be
construed strictly against the insurer and liberally in favor of the insured.’” Ohio Govt.
Risk Mgt. Plan v. Harrison, 115 Ohio St.3d 241, 2007-Ohio-4948, at ¶28, quoting King
at syllabus. “Moreover, ‘an exclusion in an insurance policy will be interpreted as
applying only to that which is clearly intended to be excluded.’” Ohio Govt. Risk Mgt.
Plan at ¶28, quoting Hybud Equip. Corp. v. Sphere Drake Ins. Co. (1992), 64 Ohio St.3d
657, 665 (emphasis sic). Here, because the Policy Exclusion “is susceptible of more
than one interpretation, it must be construed against” Erie. Ohio Govt. Risk Mgt. Plan at
¶28. Specifically, we must find that “persons under the age of 21 in your care” need
also be “residents of your household.”
{¶41} As we stated earlier, no reasonable mind could conclude that Xzandria was a
resident of the Hutchinsons’ household at the time of the fire. And because she was not
a resident of the Hutchinsons’ household, Xzandria was not in the “care” of the
Hutchinsons as contemplated by the Policy Exclusion. Therefore, as a matter of law,
we find that the Policy Exclusion does not apply to Xzandria’s bodily injuries. In other
words, the Policy covers Xzandria.
C. Summary Judgment Conclusion
{¶42} After construing the record and all inferences therefrom in Erie’s favor, we
find the following: (1) there are no genuine issues of material fact; (2) as a matter of law,
Krystal is entitled to a declaratory judgment finding that the Policy covers Xzandria’s
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 19
bodily injuries; and (3) reasonable minds can come to just one conclusion, and that
conclusion is adverse to Erie.
{¶43} Accordingly, we overrule Erie’s first assignment of error. Having overruled
Erie’s first-and-third assignments of error, and having found its second assignment of
error moot, we affirm the judgment of the trial court.
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED.
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 20
Harsha, P.J., concurring:
{¶44} I concur in judgment and opinion except for ¶36, which seems to conclude
that a party to a consent judgment can unilaterally terminate a court’s agreed judgment
entry by simply and extrajudicially revoking their previously granted consent. In my
view, R.C. 2151.011(B)(53) would allow those who have executed an extrajudicial
agreement to unilaterally terminate the temporary custody arrangement. However,
once the parties have invoked the authority of the court to implement their agreement,
only a subsequent court order, by consent or otherwise, can terminate the grant of
temporary custody.
{¶45} Nonetheless, because the court’s order of October 23, 2006 terminated the
grant of temporary custody and thus, by operation of law, custody returned to the
natural parents, I agree there is no summary judgment evidence that Xzandria was a
resident of her grandparents home on the night of the fire.
Gallia App. No. 10CA3 21
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED. Appellants shall pay the costs
herein taxed.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the
Gallia County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule
27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Exceptions.
Harsha, P.J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion with Opinion.
Abele, J.: Concurs in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court
BY:_____________________________
Roger L. Kline, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL
Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment
entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing
with the clerk.