Board of Public Education v. National Union Fire Insurance

709 A.2d 910, 1998 Pa. Super. LEXIS 457
CourtSuperior Court of Pennsylvania
DecidedMarch 16, 1998
StatusPublished
Cited by36 cases

This text of 709 A.2d 910 (Board of Public Education v. National Union Fire Insurance) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Superior Court of Pennsylvania primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Board of Public Education v. National Union Fire Insurance, 709 A.2d 910, 1998 Pa. Super. LEXIS 457 (Pa. Ct. App. 1998).

Opinions

EAKIN, Judge:

The Board of Education of the School District of Pittsburgh (the “School District”) appeals from the order of the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County granting the motion for judgment on the pleadings filed by National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh, PA (“National Union”). For the following reasons, we reverse.

On April 2, 1992, a civil rights complaint was filed on behalf of a minor student, (“R.C.S.”), against the School District, the Board of Public Education of the City of Pittsburgh, the principal of the Margaret Milliones Middle School, and Rudolph B. Walls, president of the middle school’s parent-teacher organization. The complaint alleged that because of various enumerated shortcomings by the School District et. al, Walls was able to sexually molest R.C.S., in violation of the student’s civil rights.

[912]*912The School District informed its insurer, National Union, of the allegations both prior to and upon service of the complaint, and requested that National Union provide a defense on behalf of all named defendants, except Walls, under the “School Leaders Error and Omissions Policy.” National Union failed to acknowledge receipt of the complaint until after the answer was due to be filed and after a default judgment had been entered.1 By letter dated April 29, 1992, National Union disclaimed coverage and refused to defend the School District in the matter, citing the following language in the policy:

This policy does not apply:

a) to any claim involving allegations of ... criminal acts ...
b) to any claims arising out of ... (3) assault or battery ....
c) to any claim arising out of bodily injury to ... any person_

The record reflects repeated requests by the School District’s solicitor that National Union reconsider its refusal to defend, emphasizing the underlying complaint alleged negligent supervisory conduct and not conduct expressly excluded under the policy. The School District ultimately settled the ease on February 23, 1994, then filed the instant action against National Union, alleging breach of contract and bad faith.2

On March 9, 1995, National Union filed a motion for judgment on the pleadings as to issues of coverage under the policy, which motion was granted by the trial court. The trial court reasoned “[t]he language utilized in the assault and battery exclusion is clear and unambiguous. No matter how the allegations against the School District are phrased in the R.C.S. claim, all the claims against all the Defendants therein ‘arise out of the assaults and batteries by Defendant Walls against R.C.S.” Trial Court Opinion (Corrected), 8/9/95, at 8-9. This appeal followed.

The School District contends the trial court erred in determining (1) its causes of action for breach of contract and bad faith are barred by the terms of the policy, (2) the terms of the assault and battery exclusion relieve National Union of its duty to defend and indemnify against the claims asserted by R.C.S., and (3) National Union had no duty to defend or indemnify against the claims asserted by a non-insured under the policy.

A motion for judgment on the pleadings is properly granted only if the pleadings show no genuine issue of fact exists, and the mov-ant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Kelly v. Nationwide Insurance Co., 414 Pa.Super. 6, 9-10, 606 A.2d 470, 471 (1992). On appeal, our scope of review is plenary; we must consider whether the trial court’s order “was based on a clear error of law or whether there were facts disclosed by the pleadings which should properly go to the jury.” Id. (quoting Vogel v. Berkley, 354 Pa.Super. 291, 296, 511 A.2d 878, 880 (1986)). We must limit our consideration to the pleadings and relevant documents and exhibits attached thereto. Kelly, 414 Pa.Super. at 10, 606 A.2d at 471. We must accept as true the well-pleaded facts of the non-moving party, considering against that party only those facts it admits. Id.

Although we are reviewing the trial court’s interpretation of the instant policy in light of the claims raised in the underlying complaint, we need not defer to the trial court’s finding since the construction of a contract of insurance is a question of law. United Services Automobile Association v. Elitzky, 358 Pa.Super. 362, 368, 517 A.2d 982, 985 (1986), alloc. denied, 515 Pa. 600, 528 A.2d 957 (1987). Our primary purpose in interpreting such contracts is to “ascertain the intent of the parties as manifested by the language of the written agreement.” American States Insurance Co. v. Maryland Casualty Co., 427 Pa.Super. 170, 181, 628 A.2d 880, 886 (1993) (quoting Standard Venetian Blind Co. v. American Empire Insurance Co., 503 Pa. 300, 305, 469 A.2d 563, 566 [913]*913(1983)). If the policy language is clear, such language is given effect by the court. Id. If the language is ambiguous, however, we will construe the agreement against the drafter. Insurance Co. of Pennsylvania v. Hampton, 441 Pa.Super. 382, 385, 657 A.2d 976, 978, alloc. denied, 542 Pa. 647, 666 A.2d 1056 (1995).

An insurer’s duty to defend is distinct from, and broader than, its duty to indemnify an insured. Aetna Casualty and Surety Co. v. Roe, 437 Pa.Super. 414, 421, 650 A.2d 94, 98 (1994). An insurer is not obligated to defend all claims asserted against its insured; its duty is determined by the nature of the allegations in the underlying complaint. Wilson v. Maryland Casualty Co., 377 Pa. 588, 594, 105 A.2d 304, 307 (1954); Elitzky, 358 Pa.Super. at 368, 517 A.2d at 985. An insurer must defend its insured if the underlying complaint alleges facts which, if true, would actually or potentially bring the claims within the policy coverage. Roe, 437 Pa.Super. at 422, 650 A.2d at 99; Humphreys v. Niagara Fire Insurance Co., 404 Pa.Super. 347, 354, 590 A.2d 1267, 1271, alloc. denied, 528 Pa. 637, 598 A.2d 994 (1991).

An insurer who refuses to defend its insured from the outset does so at its peril, Roe, 437 Pa.Super. at 423, 650 A.2d at 99; Stidham v. Millvale Sportsmen’s Club, 421 Pa.Super. 548, 564, 618 A.2d 945, 953 (1992), because the duty to defend remains with the insurer until it is clear the claim has been narrowed to one beyond the terms of the policy. Britamco Underwriters, Inc. v. Weiner, 431 Pa.Super. 276, 283,

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709 A.2d 910, 1998 Pa. Super. LEXIS 457, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/board-of-public-education-v-national-union-fire-insurance-pasuperct-1998.