TESCO Corporation (US) v. Steadfast Insurance Company

Opinion issued August 28, 2014
In The
Court of Appeals
For The
First District of Texas
————————————
NO. 01-13-00091-CV
———————————
TESCO CORPORATION (US), Appellant
V.
STEADFAST INSURANCE COMPANY, Appellee
On Appeal from the 127th District Court
Harris County, Texas
Trial Court Case No. 2012-36774
OPINION
Appellant, Tesco Corporation (US) (“Tesco”), challenges the trial court’s
rendition of summary judgment in favor of appellee, Steadfast Insurance Company
(“Steadfast”), in Tesco’s declaratory-judgment action 1 against Steadfast. In three
issues, Tesco contends that the trial court erred in denying it summary judgment
and granting Steadfast summary judgment.
We reverse and remand.
Background
In the underlying lawsuit,2 Von Phathong 3 sued Tesco in a United States
District Court in Colorado for negligence after he sustained personal injuries while
working on a Tesco drilling rig in Rifle, Colorado. Tesco was insured under
general commercial liability and commercial umbrella (excess) liability policies
(collectively, the “Policies”) issued by Steadfast, and Steadfast provided Tesco
with a defense in the underlying lawsuit. After a jury awarded Phathong
$1,500,000 in punitive damages against Tesco, Steadfast notified Tesco by letter
that the Policies did not afford coverage for the punitive damages award because
Colorado law “does not allow,” as a matter of public policy, “punitive damages to
be afforded coverage under a policy of insurance.”
Subsequently, Tesco filed the instant lawsuit, seeking a judgment declaring
that Texas law governs the scope of the Policies and Steadfast is “obligated”
1
See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN. § 37.001–.011 (Vernon 2008 & Supp.
2013).
2
Styled Phathong v. Tesco Corp. (US), No. 10-CV-00780-WJM-MJW, 2012 WL
5187751, at *1 (D. Colo. Oct. 19, 2012).
3
Phathong is not a party to this appeal.
2
thereunder “to pay for any punitive damages awarded against [Tesco]” in the
underlying lawsuit. Steadfast filed an answer, generally denying Tesco’s
allegations.
Tesco then filed a motion for partial summary judgment, asserting the
following:
[1.] Texas law applies to the construction of the Policies and to the
issue of whether punitive damages are covered by the Policies;
[2.] Under Texas law, punitive damages are covered by liability
policies unless otherwise excluded;
[3.] Steadfast waived its right to assert non-coverage of the punitive
damages by failing to issue a reservation of rights on that point
until after the Phathong verdict was entered; and
[4.] Steadfast is estopped from asserting that the punitive damages
are not covered since Steadfast failed to issue any reservation of
rights letter on that point until after the Phathong verdict was
entered.
Tesco attached to its summary-judgment motion copies of the Policies; its original
petition in the instant suit; Steadfast’s letters regarding denial of coverage; and,
from the underlying lawsuit, copies of Phathong’s petition, a pretrial order, the jury
verdict, and the final judgment.
In its cross-motion for summary judgment and response to Tesco’s motion,
Steadfast argued that it is entitled to judgment as a matter of law because Colorado
law applies and prohibits insurance coverage for punitive damages in this case. It
further argues that waiver and estoppel “do not apply” because “Steadfast cannot
waive or be estopped from the application of Colorado public policy.” Steadfast
3
directed the trial court to evidence that Tesco had previously filed with its
summary-judgment motion. In its response to Steadfast’s cross-motion for
summary judgment, Tesco asked the trial court to take judicial notice of its original
summary-judgment motion and evidence.
After a hearing, the trial court granted Steadfast’s cross-motion for summary
judgment and denied Tesco’s motion for partial summary judgment. It entered a
judgment, declaring that “Colorado law applies in this case and that no coverage is
available for the punitive damage award assessed against [Tesco].” And it ordered
that Tesco “take nothing on its claims against [Steadfast] and that all [Tesco’s]
claims against [Steadfast] are hereby dismissed.”
Standard of Review
Declaratory judgments rendered by summary judgment are reviewed under
the same standards that govern summary judgments generally. Bowers v. Taylor,
263 S.W.3d 260, 264 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2007, no pet.). To prevail
on a summary-judgment motion, a movant has the burden of establishing that it is
entitled to judgment as a matter of law and there is no genuine issue of material
fact. TEX. R. CIV. P. 166a(c); Cathey v. Booth, 900 S.W.2d 339, 341 (Tex. 1995).
When a plaintiff moves for summary judgment on its own claim, it must
conclusively prove all essential elements of its cause of action. Rhone–Poulenc,
Inc. v. Steel, 997 S.W.2d 217, 223 (Tex. 1999). When a defendant moves for
4
summary judgment, it must either (1) disprove at least one essential element of the
plaintiff’s cause of action or (2) plead and conclusively establish each essential
element of its affirmative defense, thereby defeating the plaintiff’s cause of action.
Cathey, 900 S.W.2d at 341; Yazdchi v. Bank One, Tex., N.A., 177 S.W.3d 399, 404
(Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied). When deciding whether there
is a disputed, material fact issue precluding summary judgment, evidence favorable
to the non-movant will be taken as true. Nixon v. Mr. Prop. Mgmt. Co., 690
S.W.2d 546, 548–49 (Tex. 1985). Every reasonable inference must be indulged in
favor of the non-movant and any doubts must be resolved in its favor. Id. at 549.
When, as here, both sides move for summary judgment and the trial court
grants one motion and denies the other, we review the summary judgment proof
presented by both sides and determine all questions presented. See Centerpoint
Energy Hous. Elec., L.L.P. v. Old TJC Co., 177 S.W.3d 425, 430 (Tex. App.—
Houston [1st Dist.] 2005, pet. denied).
Conflict of Laws
In its first issue, Tesco argues that the trial court erred in granting Steadfast
summary judgment because Texas law, and not Colorado law, “applie[s] to the
question of coverage under a liability policy issued in Texas to an insured having
its principal place of business in Texas.”
5
A determination of which state’s law applies in a case is a question of law.
Citizens Ins. Co. of Am. v. Daccach, 217 S.W.3d 430, 440 (Tex. 2007).
Accordingly, we review de novo the trial court’s decision to apply Colorado law in
this case. See Minn. Mining & Mfg. Co. v. Nishika Ltd., 955 S.W.2d 853, 856
(Tex. 1996).
When, as here, an insurance contract does not contain an express choice-of-
law provision, we consider whether a relevant statute directs us to apply the laws
of a particular state. Reddy Ice Corp. v. Travelers Lloyds Ins. Co., 145 S.W.3d
337, 340 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2004, pet. denied); see Daccach, 217
S.W.3d at 443. Texas law governs an insurance contract “when (1) the insurance
proceeds are payable to a Texas citizen or inhabitant; (2) the policy is issued by an
insurer doing business in Texas; and (3) the policy is issued in the course of the
insurer’s business in Texas.” TEX. INS. CODE ANN. art. 21.42 (Vernon 2009);
Reddy Ice Corp., 145 S.W.3d at 341. Here, however, the parties do not dispute
that article 21.42 does not apply because Tesco, as a Delaware corporation, is not a
“citizen or inhabitant” of Texas for purposes of this provision, despite its primary
place of business being located in Texas. See Reddy Ice Corp., 145 S.W.3d at
341–42, 344 (holding “unambiguous language of article 21.42 restricts a
corporation’s inhabitancy to its place of incorporation,” notwithstanding its
6
principal place of business being in Texas, and terms “inhabitant” and “citizen”
contemplate same condition).
When, as here, no statutory directive governs the dispute, the law of the state
with the “most significant relationship” to the particular substantive issue is
applied. See id. at 344; see also Daccach, 217 S.W.3d at 443. The relevant
contacts are those the state has with the insurance dispute, and not with the
underlying lawsuit. Reddy Ice Corp., 145 S.W.3d at 345; see also Ingalls
Shipbuilding v. Fed. Ins. Co., 410 F.3d 214, 232–33 (5th Cir. 2005).
Generally, a court resolves choice-of-law questions by considering, under
Restatement (Second) Conflict of Laws section 6: (1) the needs of the interstate
and international systems; (2) the relevant policies of the forum; (3) the relevant
policies of other interested states and the relative interests of those states in the
determination of the particular issue; (4) the protection of justified expectations;
(5) the basic policies underlying the particular field of law; (6) certainty,
predictability, and uniformity of result; and (7) ease in the determination and
application of the law to be applied. See Duncan v. Cessna Aircraft Co., 665
S.W.2d 414, 420–21 (Tex. 1984) (abandoning traditional lex loci rule for resolving
choice-of-law questions and adopting RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF
LAWS §.6 (1971)).
7
“When evaluating choice-of-law issues in contractual disputes, we consider
the facts of the case under the ‘most significant relationship’ test set forth in
section 188 of the Restatement (Second) of Conflicts of Laws.” Minn. Mining &
Mfg. Co. v. Nishika, Ltd., 953 S.W.2d 733, 735 (Tex. 1997). “[W]e determine
contractual rights and duties by the law of the state with the most significant
relationship to the transaction and the parties.” Id. We consider: (1) the place of
contracting; (2) the place of negotiation; (3) the place of performance; (4) the
location of the contract’s subject matter; and (5) the domicile, residence,
nationality, place of incorporation, and place of business of the parties. Id. at 735–
36 (applying RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF CONFLICT OF LAWS § 188 (1971)); see
also DeSantis v. Wackenhut Corp., 793 S.W.2d 670, 678 (Tex. 1990) (“Section
188 of the Restatement provides that a contract is to be governed by the law of the
state that has the most significant relationship to the transaction and the parties,
taking into account various contacts in light of the basic conflict of laws principles
of section 6 of the Restatement.”).
When an insurance policy provides coverage across multiple jurisdictions,4
the place of contracting, place of negotiation, and the domicile, place of
incorporation, and place of business of the parties become “the primary factors to
4
Here, the Policies define “coverage territory” as including the United States, its
territories and possessions, Puerto Rico, Canada, “[i]nternational waters or
airspace,” and, under certain conditions, “[a]ll parts of the world.”
8
determine which law applies.” Reddy Ice Corp., 145 S.W.3d at 346. Here, Tesco
is a Delaware corporation, with its principal place of business in Texas. And
Steadfast has its principal place of business in Illinois, but does business in Texas.
The insurance contracts were negotiated and executed in Texas, and the Policies
were issued from Steadfast’s underwriters in Texas, through a Texas broker, to
Tesco. Colorado does not have any relation to the insurance contract between
Tesco and Steadfast. Thus, applying the section 188 factors, we conclude that
Texas law governs the scope of coverage afforded under Tesco’s insurance
contracts with Steadfast. See Minn. Mining & Mfg. Co., 953 S.W.2d at 735;
Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. Nat. Emergency Servs., Inc., 175 S.W.3d 284, 293–94 (Tex.
App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2004, pet. denied) (applying Restatement section 188
factors and then section 6 factors to insurance contract analysis).
In Reddy Ice, several individuals sued Reddy Ice in Louisiana for personal
injuries that they sustained when a refrigeration unit at a Reddy Ice facility in
Baton Rouge allegedly leaked ammonia. 145 S.W.3d at 339. Reddy Ice, a Nevada
corporation with its principal place of business in Texas, was insured by Travelers,
a Texas corporation. Id. at 341, 346. The issue presented was whether Texas or
Louisiana law governed a pollution exclusion clause contained in the insurance
contract between Reddy Ice and Travelers. Id. at 339. Under Texas law, a total
pollution exclusion clause is unambiguous and bars coverage for claims similar to
9
those at issue. Id. at 340 n.2. Under Louisiana law, a total pollution exclusion
clause is ambiguous and presents a fact issue in each case. Id. 340 n.3. After
applying the section 188 factors, the court held that “Texas has a strong interest in
the outcome of an insurance coverage dispute that involves a Texas insurer, an
insurer doing business in Texas, and their contractual relationship with their
insured, a company principally operating in Texas.” Id. at 346. The court noted
that Louisiana had little interest in whether the judgment was paid by Reddy Ice or
its insurer, or in regulating an insurance policy issued in Texas. Id.
Steadfast argues that Reddy Ice is distinguishable because it did not concern
the question presented here “regarding the public policies of the states,” which is
controlled by the general Restatement section 6 factors. In support of its argument,
Steadfast relies on American Home Assurance Co. v. Safway Steel Products Co.,
743 S.W.2d 693, 696 (Tex. App.—Austin 1987, writ denied). In American Home,
the insurers appealed a declaratory judgment in favor of the insured regarding
coverage for exemplary damages, and the court considered whether to apply the
laws of Texas, New York, Wisconsin, or Missouri. 743 S.W.2d at 698. After the
court concluded that Insurance Code section 21.42 required it to apply Texas law,
it nevertheless went on to consider the most significant relationship tests under the
Restatement. Id. at 697–98; but see Daccach, 217 S.W.3d at 443 (“[T]he factors in
10
section 6(2) of the Restatement do not come into play if there is statutory guidance
that the law is intended to govern the transaction.”).
The court in American Home concluded that the needs of the interstate
system were best served by imposing the law of the state in which the underlying
torts occurred that gave rise to the imposition of punitive damages. 743 S.W.2d at
699 (applying Restatement (Second) on Conflicts of Law § 6). Otherwise, it
reasoned, insurers could, “after paying the primary personal injury action under the
reservation of rights, seek a declaratory judgment in a state in which they were
doing business and whose public policy precludes insuring against punitive
damages.” Id. Steadfast asserts that, similarly here, the more general “significant
relationship” test under Restatement section 6 militates in favor of applying
Colorado law because the underlying tort that gave rise to the punitive damages
occurred in Colorado.
We note again, however, that the relevant contacts are those each state has
with this insurance dispute, and not with the underlying lawsuit. See Reddy Ice
Corp., 145 S.W.3d at 345. Moreover, the more general Restatement section 6
factors weigh in favor of applying Texas law to this insurance dispute. Regarding
the needs of the interstate system and the relevant policies of the forum, we
recognize that the public policy of Colorado prohibits an insurance carrier from
providing insurance coverage for punitive damages and Colorado has an
11
identifiable interest in upholding its public policies. See Duncan, 665 S.W.2d at
420–21; see also Lira v. Shelter Ins. Co., 913 P.2d 514, 517 (Colo. 1996).
However, that the underlying lawsuit arose in Colorado does not, in itself, mean
that Colorado has an interest that is superior to the interests of Texas. Regarding
the protection of justified expectations, Texas has a strong interest in protecting the
freedom of contract, the value of certainty of enforcement, and a Texas insured’s
expectations in entering an insurance contract in Texas with a Texas insurer. See
Duncan, 665 S.W.2d at 420–21; see Reddy Ice Corp., 145 S.W.3d at 345 (noting
that Texas has strong interest in outcome of insurance coverage dispute involving
insurer doing business in Texas with company principally operating in Texas).
Applying Colorado law in this case would invalidate a portion of Tesco’s
contract with Steadfast, and applying Texas law would uphold it. “[W]hen the law
of one state would invalidate the contract, but the law of another would uphold it,
the Restatement . . . favors applying the law of the state which would uphold the
validity of the contract.” Am. Home Assurance Co., 743 S.W.2d at 700–01.
Moreover, Steadfast has not established that, given the language of the
Policies, it has any reasonable expectation that Colorado law would govern their
scope. Texas courts have declined to treat multi-risk policies as separate policies,
each insuring an individual risk, “because giving such weight to the location of the
insured risk would potentially subject an insurer, through one contract, to the laws
12
of numerous states on issues that are more appropriately determined by the state’s
law that promulgated the policy.” Reddy Ice Corp., 145 S.W.3d at 345–46 (“By
analogy, the owner of a fleet of ships would potentially be liable throughout every
port city. . . .”).
We conclude that Texas law governs the scope of coverage afforded under
Tesco’s insurance contracts with Steadfast. Accordingly, we hold that the trial
court erred in concluding that Colorado law governs this dispute and granting
Steadfast summary judgment. Accordingly, we sustain Tesco’s first issue.
Punitive Damages
In its second issue, Tesco argues that the trial court erred in denying it
summary judgment because the punitive damages awarded against Tesco in the
underlying lawsuit are covered under the Policies issued by Steadfast and are
insurable under Texas law.
To determine whether punitive damages for gross negligence are insurable,
we consider whether (1) the plain language of the Policies covers the punitive
damages awarded in the underlying lawsuit and (2) Texas public policy allows or
prohibits coverage under the circumstances of the case. See Fairfield Ins. Co. v.
Stephens Martin Paving, LP, 246 S.W.3d 653, 655 (Tex. 2008).
The plain language of an insurance policy, like any other contract, must be
given effect when the parties’ intent may be discerned from that plain language.
13
See Utica Nat’l Ins. Co. of Tex. v. Am. Indem. Co., 141 S.W.3d 198, 202 (Tex.
2004). If the policy language has only one reasonable interpretation, then it is not
ambiguous, and we construe it as a matter of law. Fiess v. State Farm Lloyds, 202
S.W.3d 744, 746 (Tex. 2006). If the contract is susceptible to two or more
reasonable interpretations, then it is ambiguous, and we must resolve the
uncertainty by adopting any reasonable construction that favors the insured. Id.
An intent to exclude coverage must be expressed in clear and unambiguous
language. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. v. Hudson Energy, Co., 811 S.W.2d 552, 555
(Tex. 1991).
Here, under the general commercial liability policy issued to Tesco,
Steadfast agreed to pay “those sums that [Tesco] becomes legally obligated to pay
as damages because of ‘bodily injury’ or ‘property damage’ to which this
insurance applies.” The coverage applies to “bodily injury” caused by an
“occurrence” that takes place within the “coverage territory,” during the “policy
period.” And the umbrella (excess) liability policy issued to Tesco provides that
Steadfast “will pay on behalf of [Tesco], those damages covered by this insurance
in excess of the total applicable limits of the underlying insurance.” Thus, the
Policies obligate Steadfast to pay “those sums” and “those damages” that Tesco
“becomes legally obligated to pay as damages” arising out of bodily-injury claims.
14
Generally, language in a standard form liability policy providing for
coverage for “sums” or “all sums” an insured becomes liable to pay as a result of
bodily injury encompasses punitive damages, if not otherwise excluded.
Westchester Fire Ins. Co. v. Admiral Ins. Co., 152 S.W.3d 172, 183 (Tex. App.—
Fort Worth 2004, pet. denied); Am. Home Assurance Co., 743 S.W.2d at 702.
There is no language in the Policies making any distinction as to the types of
damages covered or expressly excluding coverage for punitive damages. Steadfast
could have included an express exclusion from liability for punitive damages, but it
did not. Am. Home Assurance Co., 743 S.W.2d at 702. Thus, we conclude that the
plain language of the policies covers the punitive damages awarded against Tesco
in the underlying lawsuit. See Fairfield Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d at 655.
Next, we consider whether Texas public policy prohibits the enforcement of
an insurance contract covering punitive damages. See id. In Fairfield, the Texas
Supreme Court concluded that “the public policy of Texas does not prohibit
insurance coverage of exemplary damages[5] for gross negligence in the workers’
compensation context.” Id. at 670. Because the Texas Legislature has not
demonstrated an intent to generally prohibit or allow the insurance of exemplary
damages arising from gross negligence, however, the court declined to make a
“broad proclamation” of public policy outside the workers’ compensation context.
5
The term “exemplary damages” includes punitive damages. TEX. CIV. PRAC. &
REM. CODE ANN. § 41.001(5) (Vernon 2008).
15
Id. Instead, it offered “some considerations applicable to the analysis in other
cases.” Id. It also noted that “[t]he majority of states that have considered whether
public policy prohibits insurance coverage of exemplary damages for gross
negligence . . . have decided that it does not.” Id. at 660–61.
We note that the court, in rendering its decision in Fairfield, explained that
Texas has a “strong public policy in favor of preserving the freedom of contract.”
Id. at 664 (citing TEX. CONST. art. I, § 16 (“No . . . law impairing the obligation of
contracts[] shall be made.”)). The preservation of contractual freedom and
enforcement applies to the relationship between an insurer and insured. See
Fairfield Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d at 655; see also Am. Int’l Specialty Lines Ins. Co. v.
Triton Energy Ltd., 52 S.W.3d 337, 341–42 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2001, pet. dism’d
w.o.j.) (“Texas has a strong public policy of enforcing its insurance policies . . . .”).
“Courts weighing this interest should consider the reasonable expectations of the
parties and the value of certainty in enforcement of contracts generally.” Fairfield
Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d at 663.
Tesco explains that it is a Texas-based company conducting oil and gas
services throughout the United States and maintains the Policies to cover its
operations throughout the United States. The Policies obligate Steadfast to pay
“those sums” and “those damages” that Tesco “becomes legally obligated to pay as
damages” arising out of bodily-injury claims, and they make no distinction as to
16
the types of damages covered, nor do they expressly exclude coverage for punitive
damages. In the absence of an express policy exclusion from liability for punitive
damages, the “average insured . . . would assume that the term damages would
include punitive damages, since they would become by judgment a sum that the
insured would be legally obligated to pay.” Am. Home Assurance Co., 743 S.W.2d
at 702. Further, Tesco’s reasonable expectation was that, at the time Steadfast
determined the premiums for the policies at issue, it “included within its
underwriting process the fact that it was issuing a liability policy to a Texas
company and that punitive damages are insurable under Texas law.”
Moreover, the court in Fairfield instructed that “a court should consider the
purpose” of exemplary, or punitive, damages. See Fairfield Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d
at 655. In Texas, the punishment imposed through an award of exemplary
damages is to be directed at the wrongdoer. 6 TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM. CODE ANN.
6
Exemplary damages can be awarded for gross negligence. TEX. CIV. PRAC. &
REM. CODE ANN. § 41.003(a) (Vernon Supp. 2013). In determining the amount of
exemplary damages, the trier of fact shall consider evidence, if any, relating to:
(1) the nature of the wrong;
(2) the character of the conduct involved;
(3) the degree of culpability of the wrongdoer;
(4) the situation and sensibilities of the parties concerned;
(5) the extent to which such conduct offends a public sense of justice
and propriety; and
(6) the net worth of the defendant.
Id. § 41.011(a) (Vernon 2008).
17
ch. 41 (Vernon 2008 & Supp. 2013). “Courts holding that insurance coverage for
punitive damages violates public policy generally do so on the theory that
wrongdoers should not be shielded from the consequences of their acts.”
Westchester Fire Ins. Co., 152 S.W.3d at 185. If the wrongdoer is permitted to
shift the burden to an insurance company, “punitive damages would serve no
useful purpose.” Id. at 186. For instance, Texas courts have “uniformly rejected
as against public policy” coverage under uninsured/underinsured motorist policies
when an insured seeks to recover from his own insurer punitive damages awarded
to the insured against a third-party tortfeasor. Fairfield Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d at
668. The concern is that insurance coverage for punitive damages could encourage
reckless conduct. Id. at 670.
However, “[t]he considerations may weigh differently when the insured is a
corporation or business that must pay exemplary damages for the conduct of one or
more of its employees.” Id. The Austin Court of Appeals observed that while
allowing exemplary-damages coverage shifts the burden of the punishment to the
“innocent members of society who purchase insurance,” which is contrary to the
purpose of such damages, disallowing such coverage for a large corporation means
that exemplary damages for the misconduct of one or a few employees will
“inevitably be passed on to the consumers of its products,” which is also contrary
to the purpose of punitive damages. Id. at 669 (discussing Am. Home Assurance
18
Co., 743 S.W.2d at 704). And when punitive damages are assessed against an
entire business based on the conduct of one employee, “it will often be the case
that stockholders, other employees, and even management as a larger group have
done little to deserve punishment.” Id. at 689 (Hecht, J., concurring). In cases
where the corporation is “less well-established or affluent, its inability to insure
against such liability may well cause a permanent financial collapse.” Am. Home
Assurance Co., 743 S.W.2d at 704.
When the insured is a corporation, courts applying Texas law have rejected,
on public policy grounds, allowing insurance coverage for punitive damages where
the facts of the case demonstrate “extreme circumstances” where “avoidable
conduct” by one or more employees causes injury. Am. Int’l Specialty Lines Ins.
Co. v. Res-Care, Inc., 529 F.3d 649, 663 (5th Cir. 2008) (considering actions of
nursing home staff who allowed resident to lie for prolonged period in pool of
bleach and then failed to provide medical care for chemical burns, resulting in
death of resident).7 In Res-Care, however, there were “documented systemic
problems of care” and a “course of conduct” by the corporation that was “so
extreme that the purposes of punishment and deterrence of conscious indifference
outweigh[ed] the normally strong public policy of permitting the right to contract
7
Although not binding precedent on Texas state courts, federal cases discussing
Texas law may be instructive on state law issues, and Texas state courts are not
prohibited from considering the reasoning of the federal courts in determining
matters of Texas law. Davenport v. Garcia, 834 S.W.2d 4, 20 (Tex. 1992).
19
between insurer and insured.” Id. at 664. The court held that “[t]his case
demonstrate[d] the kind of ‘avoidable conduct that causes injury’ where public
policy is best served by requiring the insured to bear the costs of punitive
damages.” Id.
However, “when the insured is a corporation or business that must pay
exemplary damages for the conduct of one or more of its employees,” and “other
employees and management are not involved in or aware of an employee’s
wrongful act, the purpose of exemplary damages may be achieved by permitting
coverage so as not to penalize the many for the wrongful act of one.” Fairfield Ins.
Co., 246 S.W.3d at 670. When a party seeks damages under these circumstances,
“courts should consider valid arguments that businesses be permitted to insure
against them.” Id.
Here, Tesco’s summary-judgment evidence includes copies of Phathong’s
petition and the judgment he obtained against Tesco in the underlying lawsuit, as
well as a pretrial order from the United States District Court, containing the
parties’ stipulated facts in that dispute. And Tesco recites in its brief some of the
facts from the underlying lawsuit, which include allegations that “the person
supervising the drill operations used an incorrect crossover sub and tried to force it
on the drill collar by directing and allowing [Phathong] to hold the crossover sub
with tongs.” Phathong asserted that Tesco “knew or should have known” of the
20
improper and dangerous use of the equipment on the rig. However, Tesco’s
evidence does not conclusively establish the extent to which other Tesco
employees and management were involved in or aware of the supervisor’s
wrongful conduct or the pervasiveness of the complained-of practice. See Res-
Care, 529 F.3d at 664; see also Fairfield Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d at 670. Thus, as
Steadfast asserts, fact issues preclude summary judgment in favor of Tesco.
We hold that Tesco conclusively established that insurance coverage for the
punitive damages awarded against it is not excluded under the language of the
Policies. However, Tesco has not conclusively established that the punitive
damages awarded against it are insurable as a matter of Texas public policy.
Accordingly, we hold that the trial court did not err in denying Tesco summary
judgment.
We overrule Tesco’s second issue.
Reservation of Rights
In its third issue, Tesco argues that “Steadfast is estopped, or has waived, its
asserted coverage defenses” because it “defended Tesco unconditionally and
without a reservation of rights until after the trial.” See State Farm Lloyds, Inc. v.
Williams, 791 S.W.2d 542, 550 (Tex. App.—Dallas 1990, no writ) (applying
Farmers Texas Cnty. Mut. Ins. Co. v. Wilkinson, 601 S.W.2d 520, 521–22 (Tex.
21
Civ. App.—Austin 1980), abrogated by Ulico Cas. Co. v. Allied Pilots Ass’n, 262
S.W.3d 773 (Tex. 2008)).
An insurer “does not bear the burden of showing that it does not have a
policy in place to cover a particular risk; the insured bears the burden to show that
a policy is in force and that the risk comes within the policy’s coverage.” Ulico
Cas. Co., 262 S.W.3d at 781–82. Whether punitive damages for gross negligence
are insurable depends on whether (1) the plain language of the policy covers the
damages and (2) Texas public policy allows or prohibits coverage under the
circumstances of the case. See Fairfield Ins. Co., 246 S.W.3d at 655. Thus, it is
Tesco’s burden to show that Texas public policy allows coverage for the punitive
damages awarded against it under the circumstances of this case.
Further, an insurance contract that contravenes public policy is not
enforceable as a matter of law. See Fairfield, 246 S.W.3d at 663–65, 671 n.5
(citing James v. Fulcrod, 5 Tex. 512, 520 (1851) (“[C]ontracts against public
policy are void and will not be carried into effect by courts of justice. . . .”)). And
there is “no right of noncoverage that is subject to being waived by the insurer,
even by assumption of the insured’s defense with knowledge of facts indicating
noncoverage and without obtaining a valid reservation of rights or non-waiver
agreement.” Ulico Cas. Co., 262 S.W.3d at 781–82 (abrogating Wilkinson, 601
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S.W.2d at 521–22). Thus, Steadfast did not waive its public policy issue by not
reserving its rights.
We overrule Tesco’s third issue.
Conclusion
We reverse the judgment of the trial court and remand for further
proceedings consistent with this opinion.
Terry Jennings
Justice
Panel consists of Justices Jennings, Higley, and Sharp.
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