GM Northrup Corporation v. Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company

• Court: District Court, W.D. Washington
• Decided: March 16, 2023
• Docket: 3:22-cv-05243
• Status: Unknown

Opinion

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6 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 7 WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON AT TACOMA 8 9 GM NORTHRUP CORPORATION, a CASE NO. 3:22-cv-05243-RJB 10 Minnesota corporation, ORDER ON MOTION FOR 11 Plaintiff, SUMMARY JUDGMENT v. 12 MASSACHUSETTS BAY INSURANCE 13 COMPANY, a foreign insurance company; HANOVER INSURANCE COMPANY, 14 Defendants. 15 16 This matter comes before the Court on the Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company 17 (“Mass Bay”) and Hanover Insurance Company’s (“Hanover”) Motion for Summary Judgment. 18 Dkt. 33. The Court has considered the pleadings filed in support of and in opposition to the 19 motion and the file herein. 20 In this consolidated case1, Plaintiff GM Northrup Corporation (“Northrup”), a general 21 construction contractor, seeks a declaration that its insurance companies, Mass Bay and Hanover, 22 23 1 This case was consolidated with Massachusetts Bay Insurance Co. v. GM Northrup Corp., U.S. Dist. Court for the 24 Western Dist. of Wash. case number 3:22-cv-5465-BJR on October 5, 2022. Dkt. 26. As it does here, Mass Bay 1 are obligated to defend it and indemnify it in Beck v. Rhine Demolition, LLC, et. al., Pierce 2 County Washington Superior Court case no. 20-2-07117-5 (“Beck” or “underlying litigation”). 3 Both Mass Bay and Hanover assert cross claims for declaratory relief that they have no duty to 4 defend or indemnify Northup in Beck. The insurance companies now move for summary 5 judgment. Dkt. 33. For the reasons provided below, Mass Bay and Hanover’s motion (Dkt. 33)

6 should be denied, in part, and denied without prejudice, in part. 7 I. RELEVANT FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY 8 A. FACTS 9 1. Allegations in the Underlying Lawsuit 10 On October 15, 2020, the underlying lawsuit was filed. Beck v. Rhine Demolition, LLC, 11 et. al., Pierce County Washington Superior Court case no. 20-2-07117-5. The following 12 allegations are taken from the Beck Second Amended Complaint. 13 Northrup served as the general contractor for the construction of an O’Reilly Auto Parts 14 building located in Belfair, Washington through July of 2013. Dkt. 33-1 at 6. Northrup

15 allegedly failed to ensure that a fourth sanitary sewer line that extended onto adjacent property 16 was “properly designed, installed, identified, addressed, and/or documented.” Id. at 8. Between 17 March and May of 2019, the building on the adjacent property, the North Bay Mortgage 18 building, was demolished by Rhine Demolition LLC and others (“Rhine”). Id. at 5. During the 19 demolition, Rhine broke a sewer line, “damaging and disrupting the sewage out-flow and in-flow 20 for the adjacent O’Reilly Auto Parts Building which was connected to the damaged line.” Id. 21 22 23 sought declaratory relief regarding whether it has an obligation to defend or indemnify Northrup in the underling 24 litigation in that case. 1 Rather than repair and/or reporting the break, Rhine “plugged one end of the broken pipe and 2 filled the other end with dirt” causing “a highly pressurized pipeline condition.” Id. 3 On May 28, 2019, Christian Beck, an employee at the O’Reilly Auto Parts, went into the 4 store restroom. Id. at 11. While Mr. Beck was in the restroom, the “highly pressurized condition 5 within the sewage pipeline” resulted in “a catastrophic reverse flow event that projected large

6 volumes of raw sewage out of the store toilet.” Id. Mr. Beck was “immediately above” the 7 subject toilet at the time and was drenched in raw sewage. Id. at 11-12. Within a week of his 8 exposure to the sewage, Mr. Beck was hospitalized with a “severe staph bacterial infection” - 9 “disseminated/systematic MSSA infection” - which had progressed to toxic shock syndrome. Id. 10 at 12 and 16. After admission, he experienced multiorgan failure and sudden cardiac arrest 11 which resulted in significant brain damage and blindness. Id. at 17. Mr. Beck is now unable to 12 care for himself. Id. He is 24 years of age. Id. at 7. 13 The Second Amended Complaint maintains that Northrup breached its duty of care when 14 it failed to properly supervise and monitor the construction of the O’Reilly Auto Parts building,

15 “including, but not limited to reviewing, approving, identifying, and properly documenting 16 sewage, septic, and utilities-related construction and installation, but also that subcontractors 17 were complying with the industry standards of care and . . . safety protocols for conducting, 18 completing, and documenting their respective work. Id. at 19. Mr. Beck and his parents assert 19 negligence claims against Northrup and others for damages. Id. 20 2. Parties in this Case and the Insurance Policies 21 Northrup is nationwide construction company located in Minnesota. Dkt. 1-2. Both 22 Mass Bay and Hanover are Massachusetts companies. Dkts. 1 and 18. 23 24 1 On November 26, 2018, an insurance agency in Minnesota submitted a commercial 2 insurance application to the Hanover Insurance Group on behalf of Northrup. Dkt. 33-3 at 5. 3 (The Hanover Insurance Group is the parent company for both Mass Bay and Hanover. Dkt. 33- 4 5 at 26). Northrup’s account manager at the insurance company was in Wisconsin. Dkt. 33-3 at 5 3. The “Account Summary” provided, in part, that

6 About 80% of the field employees are [Minnesota] residents and travel temporarily to where the employer has projects. However, depending on the 7 requirements of many states, [Northrup] wants to be sure their WC carrier is licensed to do business in all 50 states. Outside of [Minnesota], we are not able to 8 predict in advance where [Northrup] will have most of their work in 2012. Our new carrier must be able to cover all the states and we would agree to audit based 9 on GL exposures being based in Minnesota.

10 Dkt. 33-3 at 90. 11 Based on the application to its parent company, Hanover Insurance Group, Mass Bay 12 issued a Commercial Line Policy (“CLP”) to Northrup for the policy period of December 31, 13 2018 to December 31, 2019. Dkt. 33-5. The bodily injury provision provides coverage for 14 “those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of ‘bodily 15 injury’ . . . to which this insurance applies.” Dkt. 33-5 at 167. The CLP contains an exclusion 16 for fungi or bacteria that states that the “insurance does not apply” to: 17 Fungi Or Bacteria

18 a. “Bodily injury” or “property damage” which would not have occurred, in whole or in part, but for the actual, alleged or threatened inhalation of, ingestion of, 19 contact with, exposure to, existence of, or presence of, any “fungi” or bacteria on or within a building or structure, including its contents, regardless of whether any 20 other cause, event, material or product contributed concurrently or in any sequence to such injury or damage. 21 Dkt. 33-5 at 199. Further, the CLP has two pollution exclusion endorsements, both of which 22 provide that the “insurance does not apply to:” 23

24 1 Pollution

2 “Bodily injury” . . . which would not have occurred in whole or part but for the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or 3 escape of “pollutants” at any time.

4 Dkt. 33-5 at 197 and 198. “Pollutants” are, in turn, defined as “any solid, liquid, gaseous or 5 thermal irritant or contaminant, including smoke, vapor, soot, fumes, acids, alkalis, chemicals 6 and waste. Waste includes materials to be recycled, reconditioned or reclaimed.” Dkt. 33-5 at 7 125. 8 Hanover issued Commercial Follow Form Excess and Umbrella Policy (“Excess Policy”) 9 to Northrup for the policy period of December 31, 2018 to December 31, 2019. Dkt. 33-6. As is 10 relevant here, the Excess Policy contains the following provisions: 11 1. Coverage A – Follow Form Excess Liability Insuring Agreement

12 a. We will pay on behalf of the insured those sums in excess of the “underlying insurance” which the insured becomes legally 13 obligated to pay as damages, provided:

14 (1) Such damages are covered by “underlying insurance”; 15 (2) The event which triggers coverage on the 16 “underlying insurance” takes place during the policy period of this insurance, and 17 (3) The applicable Limit of Insurance of the 18 “underlying insurance” is exhausted by payment of judgments, settlements, related costs or expenses for 19 damages also covered under this policy. We will not pay if the Limit of Insurance of “underlying 20 insurance” is exhausted by payment for damages to which this insurance does not also apply. 21 b. We will not pay damages that the “underlying insurance” does 22 not pay for any reason other than exhaustion of limits of the “underlying insurance” by payment of judgments, settlements, 23 related costs or expenses.

24 1 c. The terms and conditions of the “underlying insurance” in effect at the inception of this policy apply unless they are inconsistent 2 with the terms and conditions of this policy.

3 d. The amount we will pay for damages is limited as described in section VI. LIMITS OF INSURANCE. . . . 4 2. Coverage B – Umbrella Liability Insuring Agreement 5 a. We will pay on behalf of the insured those sums in excess of the 6 “retained limit” shown in the Declarations which the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of “bodily 7 injury”, “property damage”, “personal injury” and “advertising injury” to which this coverage applies, . . . 8 Dkt. 33-6 at 16. Coverage B, the “Umbrella Liability,” does not apply to a law suit “covered by 9 underlying insurance.” Dkt. 33-6 at 17. 10 Like the CLP, the Excess Policy contains an exclusion for “fungi and bacteria” that 11 provides that coverage does not apply to: 12 Any liability or expense arising out of “fungi” or bacteria which would not have 13 occurred, in whole or in part, but for the actual, alleged or threatened inhalation of, ingestion of, contact with, exposure to, existence of, or presence of, any 14 “fungi” or bacteria on or within a building or structure, including its contents, regardless of whether any other cause, event, material or product contributed 15 concurrently or in any sequence to such injury or damage.

16 Dkt. 33-6 at 44. The Excess Policy contains two “pollution” exclusions. Dkt. 33-6 at 35 and 26. 17 As applicable to “Coverage A” - “Follow Form Excess Liability” only, this insurance does not 18 apply to: 19 Pollution

20 “Bodily injury” . . . which would not have occurred in whole or part but for the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, migration, release or 21 escape of “pollutants” at any time.

22 Dkt. 33-5 at 35. The Excess Policy provides that as to Coverage B - “Umbrella Liability” only 23 that the policy does not apply to: 24 1 j. Pollution

2 (1) “Bodily injury”, “property damage”, “personal injury” or “advertising injury” part but for the actual, alleged or threatened discharge, dispersal, seepage, 3 migration, release or escape of “pollutants” at any time.

4 Dkt. 33-6 at 26. The definition of “pollutants” in the Excess Policy is identical to that in the 5 CLP. Dkt. 33-6 at 33. 6 After Northrup tendered defense of the Beck case to both Mass Bay and Hanover, Mass 7 Bay agreed to defend it under a reservation of rights. Dkt. 14-3 at 2. Mass Bay’s reservation of 8 rights relied on the “fungi and bacteria” exclusion and the pollution exclusions. Id. 9 B. PENDING MOTION 10 Mass Bay and Hanover have now moved for summary judgment arguing that Minnesota 11 law governs this dispute and that under Minnesota law, the anti-concurrent loss provisions in the 12 policies preclude coverage. Dkt. 33. They maintain that they are entitled to declaratory relief. 13 Northrup opposes the motion and argues that Washington law applies. Dkt. 34. It 14 contends that under Washington law, the insurance companies have a continuing duty to defend 15 and under the Washington rule of “efficient proximate cause,” the policies provide coverage for 16 Mr. Beck’s injuries. Id. Mass Bay and Hanover have filed a reply (Dkt. 35) and the motion is 17 ripe for review. 18 II. DISCUSSION 19 A. CHOICE OF LAW

20 When, as here, a federal court sits in diversity, it applies the forum state’s choice-of-law 21 rules to “determine the controlling substantive law.” Patton v. Cox, 276 F.3d 493, 495 (9th Cir. 22 2002). “Under Washington law, when parties dispute choice of law, there must be an actual 23 conflict between the laws or interests of Washington and the laws or interests of another state 24 1 before the court will engage in a conflict-of-laws analysis.” Tilden-Coil Constructors, Inc. v. 2 Landmark American Ins. Co., 721 F.Supp.2d 1007, 1013 (W.D. Wash. 2010); Erwin v. Cotter 3 Health Ctrs., 161 Wn.2d 676 (2007). An actual conflict exists when the result of the issues are 4 different under the law of the two states. Seizer v. Sessions, 132 Wn.2d 642, 648 (1997). Absent 5 an actual conflict, Washington law presumptively applies. Erwin at 692. As the parties

6 contending that some other state law applies, Mass Bay and Hanover bear the burden of proving 7 the existence of a conflict of law. Teck Metals, Ltd. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, 8 735 F.Supp.2d 1231, 1234 (E.D. Wash. 2010). 9 1. Actual Conflict 10 Mass Bay and Hanover have established that an actual conflict between Washington law 11 and Minnesota law exists. 12 Washington follows the rule of “efficient proximate cause.” Xia v. ProBuilders Specialty 13 Ins. Co., 188 Wn.2d 171 (2017). “Under Washington law, the rule of efficient proximate cause 14 provides coverage where a covered peril sets in motion a causal chain, the last link of which is an

15 uncovered peril.” Id. at 182-183. “If the initial event, the efficient proximate cause, is a covered 16 peril, then there is coverage under the policy regardless of whether subsequent events within the 17 chain, which may be causes-in-fact of the loss, are excluded by the policy.” Id. at 183. “[T]he 18 efficient proximate cause rule applies only when two or more perils combine in sequence to 19 cause a loss and a covered peril is the predominant or efficient cause of the loss.” Id. 20 As to Northrup’s potential liability, the Second Amended Complaint in Beck alleges that 21 Mr. Beck injuries were caused by Northrup’s negligent design, installation and construction of 22 the sewer line. It is Northrup’s alleged negligence that is the initial event – the efficient 23 proximate cause – combined with the later events – the resultant release of the sewage - that 24 1 caused Mr. Beck’s injuries. But for the alleged faulty design, installation and construction, the 2 injury would not have taken place. 3 Both the CLP and Excess Policy contain the materially same exclusion for bacteria and 4 fungi exposure that applies “regardless of whether any other cause, event, material or product 5 contributed concurrently or in any sequence to such injury or damage.” This portion of the

6 exclusion is the “anti-concurrent cause” clause. The CLP and the Excess Policy’s Coverage A. - 7 “Follow Form Excess Liability” portion contain the materially same pollution exclusions and 8 also have an anti-concurrent cause clause. The Excess Policy’s “Coverage B.” - “Umbrella 9 Liability” portion does not contain an anti-concurrent cause clause. 10 In Washington, the efficient proximate cause rule cannot be circumvented by an 11 exclusionary clause. Key Tronic Corp., Inc. v. Aetna (CIGNA) Fire Underwriters Ins. Co., 124 12 Wn.2d 618, 626 (1994). Accordingly, the anti-concurrent cause clauses in the polices are not 13 enforceable in Washington. Minnesota law produces a different result. Under Minnesota law, 14 parties can contract out of application of the concurrent-causation or efficient proximate cause

15 doctrine with anti-concurrent cause language. Friedberg v. Chubb & Son, Inc., 832 F. Supp.2d 16 1049, 1057 (D. Minn. 2011). The result of the issue is different under the laws of the two states 17 so an actual conflict exists. Seizer at 648. The next step is to consider which of the two states’ 18 laws applies. 19 2. Washington’s Choice of Law Rules 20 Washington courts follow the “most significant relationship test” as set forth in the 21 Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws (1971) (“Restatement”) § 188 to determine choice of 22 law questions when the parties to a contract did not make an express choice of law. Shanghai 23 Commercial Bank Ltd. v. Kung Da Chang, 189 Wn.2d 474, 484–85 (2017); Erwin at 1120-1121. 24 1 Five “contacts” are to be considered in determining which state has the most significant 2 relationship: 3 (a) the place of contracting,

4 (b) the place of negotiation of the contract,

5 (c) the place of performance,

6 (d) the location of the subject matter of the contract, and

7 (e) the domicile, residence, nationality, place of incorporation and place of business of the parties. 8 Restatement § 188(2). “These contacts are to be evaluated according to their relative importance 9 with respect to the particular issue.” Id. 10 a. Place of Contracting. The place of contracting does not favor either Minnesota or 11 Washington. Northup and its broker were in Minnesota. Mass Bay and Hanover are in 12 Massachusetts where their executives signed the policies. Northrup’s account manager for the 13 insurance broker was in Wisconsin. All parties were aware that the policies would cover all 50 14 states. 15 b. Place of Negotiation of the Contract. The place of negotiation of the insurance 16 polices is unhelpful in this analysis. There is no evidence that these policies were “negotiated.” 17 c. Place of Performance. The place of performance is neutral. The place of performance 18 under the insurance contract was uncertain at the time of contracting. In its application for 19 insurance, Northrup informed Mass Bay and Hanover that it performed construction in all 50 20 states and needed an insurance carrier that was licensed in all states. The parties contemplated 21 that the policies would cover all 50 states. The place of performance can bear little weight if 22 uncertain or unknown at the time of contracting. Restatement § 188 Comment e. 23 24 1 d. Location of the Subject Matter of the Contract. Similarly, the location of the 2 subject matter of the contract is also unhelpful in determining the outcome here. The parties 3 specifically contemplated that Northrup would be performing construction throughout the 4 country. The location of these construction projects were not fixed to any particular place. 5 e. Domicile, Residence, Nationality, Place of Incorporation and Place of Business of

6 the Parties. This factor is neutral. Northrup is a Minnesota corporation principally doing 7 business in Minnesota. Mass Bay is a Massachusetts corporation and Hanover is a New 8 Hampshire corporation; both are principally doing business in Massachusetts. All parties do 9 business in Washington state. 10 The factors to be considered in Restatement § 188 do not lead to a clear conclusion of the 11 proper choice of law here. Considerations in Restatement § 188 should also be evaluated with 12 the principles set out in Restatement § 6(2). Restatement § 188(1)-(2). The general underlying 13 principles set out in § 6(2) are: 14 (a) the needs of the interstate and international systems,

15 (b) the relevant policies of the forum,

16 (c) the relevant policies of other interested states and the relative interests of those states in the determination of the particular issue, 17 (d) the protection of justified expectations, 18 (e) the basic policies underlying the particular field of law, 19 (f) certainty, predictability and uniformity of result, and 20 (g) ease in the determination and application of the law to be applied. 21 Restatement (Second) of Conflict of Laws § 6(2) (1971). These principles help evaluation of the 22 interests and policies of potentially concerned states and the extent to which those policies relate 23 to the transaction at issue. Johnson v. Spider Staging Corp., 87 Wash.2d 577, 582 (1976). 24 1 a. Needs of the Interstate and International Systems. This factor does not favor 2 application of any particular state’s laws. 3 b. Washington’s Policies. Washington’s policies strongly favor application of 4 Washington law. In Washington, insurance policies are considered to be unlike traditional 5 contracts, but “abound with public policies considerations,” including that “policies should

6 operate to afford to affected members of the public – frequently innocent third persons – the 7 maximum protection possible consonant with fairness to the insurer.” Oregon Auto. Ins. Co. v. 8 Salzberg, 85 Wn.2d 372, 377 (1975). “Washington has a paramount interest in the health and 9 safety of its people.” Canron, Inc. v. Fed. Ins. Co., 82 Wn. App. 480 (1996). Washington’s 10 public policy interest in protecting innocent members of the public, like Mr. Beck, by ensuring 11 that its insurance laws are applied in Washington is strong. There is no showing that application 12 of Washington law here is not fair to the insurance companies. They each do business in 13 Washington and are regularly subject to Washington insurance law. 14 c. Relevant Policies of Minnesota and Relative Interest in Minnesota in

15 Determination of the Issue. While Minnesota has an interest in application of its insurance law, 16 it has little or no connection with the events that give rise to this case. In national coverage 17 cases, like these, Minnesota’s interest is minimal. The alleged negligent acts (construction) took 18 place in Washington as did Mr. Beck’s injuries. 19 d. Protection of Justified Expectations. This factor favors application of Washington 20 law. The parties to the insurance contract were aware that construction may be taking place in 21 all 50 states. They were aware that the laws of an individual state would apply. 22 e. Basic Policies Underlying the Insurance Law. As stated above, the basic policies 23 underlying insurance law favor application of Washington law. 24 1 f. Certainty, Predictability and Uniformity of Result. Application of Washington law 2 increases the certainty, predictability and uniformity of the result. Parties who do business in 3 Washington with insurance policies without choice of law provisions will be able to predict that 4 Washington insurance law will apply to the insured’s activities in Washington state. 5 g. Ease in the Determination and Application of the Law to be Applied. This factor

6 does not favor application of either state’s law. Both are relatively easy to determine and apply. 7 Considering all the factors, Washington has the “most significant relationship” to this 8 case and Washington law applies. 9 B. WASHINGTON SUBSTANTIVE LAW AND FEDERAL PROCEDURAL LAW APPLIES 10 Under the rule of Erie R.R. Co. v. Tompkins, 304 U.S. 64 (1938), federal courts sitting in 11 diversity jurisdiction, as is the case here, apply state substantive law and federal procedural law. 12 Gasperini v. Center for Humanities, Inc., 518 U.S. 415, 427 (1996). In applying Washington 13 law, the Court must apply the law as it believes the Washington Supreme Court would apply it. 14 Gravquick A/S v. Trimble Navigation Intern. Ltd., 323 F.3d 1219, 1222 (9th Cir. 2003). 15 “‘[W]here there is no convincing evidence that the state supreme court would decide differently, 16 a federal court is obligated to follow the decisions of the state's intermediate appellate courts.’” 17 Vestar Dev. II, LLC v. Gen. Dynamics Corp., 249 F.3d 958, 960 (9th Cir.2001)(quoting Lewis v. 18 Tel. Employees Credit Union, 87 F.3d 1537, 1545 (9th Cir.1996)). 19 C. SUMMARY JUDGMENT STANDARD 20 Summary judgment is proper only if the pleadings, the discovery and disclosure materials 21 on file, and any affidavits show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the 22 movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a). The moving party is 23 entitled to judgment as a matter of law when the nonmoving party fails to make a sufficient 24 1 showing on an essential element of a claim in the case on which the nonmoving party has the 2 burden of proof. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317, 323 (1985). There is no genuine issue 3 of fact for trial where the record, taken as a whole, could not lead a rational trier of fact to find 4 for the nonmoving party. Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio Corp., 475 U.S. 574, 586 5 (1986) (nonmoving party must present specific, significant probative evidence, not simply “some

6 metaphysical doubt.”). Conversely, a genuine dispute over a material fact exists if there is 7 sufficient evidence supporting the claimed factual dispute, requiring a judge or jury to resolve 8 the differing versions of the truth. Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 253 (1986); 9 T.W. Elec. Serv. Inc. v. Pacific Elec. Contractors Ass’n, 809 F.2d 626, 630 (9th Cir. 1987). 10 The determination of the existence of a material fact is often a close question. The court 11 must consider the substantive evidentiary burden that the nonmoving party must meet at trial, 12 which is a preponderance of the evidence in most civil cases. Anderson, 477 U.S. at 254; T.W. 13 Elect., 809 F.2d at 630. The court must resolve any factual issues of controversy in favor of the 14 nonmoving party only when the facts specifically attested by that party contradict facts

15 specifically attested by the moving party. The nonmoving party may not merely state that it will 16 discredit the moving party’s evidence at trial, in the hopes that evidence can be developed at trial 17 to support the claim. T.W. Elect., 809 F.2d at 630 (relying on Anderson, 477 U.S. at 18 255). Conclusory, non-specific statements in affidavits are not sufficient, and “missing facts” 19 will not be “presumed.” Lujan v. Nat’l Wildlife Fed., 497 U.S. 871, 888–89 (1990). 20 D. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT ON DUTY TO DEFEND 21 In Washington, “the duty to defend is different from and broader than the duty to 22 indemnify.” Am. Best Food, Inc. v. Alea London, Ltd., 168 Wash.2d 398, 404 (2010)(internal 23 citation omitted). The duty to indemnify exists only if the insurance policy actually covers the 24 1 insured’s liability, whereas the duty to defend arises when the policy could conceivably cover 2 allegations in a complaint. Xia, at 6 (internal citations omitted). “[A]n insurer must defend a 3 complaint against its insured until it is clear that the claim is not covered.” Id. (citing Am. Best 4 Food, at 405). 5 Mass Bay and Hanover’s motion for summary judgment denying a duty to defend

6 Northrup in the underlying litigation (Dkt. 33) should be denied. Based on the allegations in the 7 Beck Second Amended Complaint, the policies at issue could conceivably apply. As to 8 Northrup’s potential liability, the alleged efficient proximate cause of Mr. Back’s injuries was 9 Northrup’s negligent work building the O’Reilly Auto Parts Store. The anti-concurrent cause 10 clauses in the exclusions are not enforceable in Washington. Key Tronic at 626. Mass Bay has a 11 continuing obligation to continue to defend Northrup in the Beck case. 12 E. MOTION FOR SUMMARY JUDGMENT DUTY TO INDEMNIFY 13 Mass Bay and Hanover’s motion for summary judgment on its duty to indemnify (Dkt. 14 33) should be denied without prejudice. The underlying litigation is ongoing. It is not yet clear

15 whether either insurance company will be required to indemnify Northrup for a judgment against 16 it, if any. 17 III. ORDER 18 Therefore, it is hereby ORDERED that: 19  Massachusetts Bay Insurance Company and Hanover Insurance Company Motion 20 for Summary Judgment (Dkt. 33) IS DENIED, as to the duty to defend and 21 DENIED WITHOUT PREJUDICE as to the duty to indemnify. 22 The Clerk is directed to send uncertified copies of this Order to all counsel of record and 23 to any party appearing pro se at said party’s last known address. 24 1 Dated this 16th day of March, 2023. A 2

3 ROBERT J. BRYAN United States District Judge 4

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