Digitally signed by Susan Williams Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Cite as 2019 Ark. 365 Date: SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS 2023.12.13 10:30:28 -06'00' No.CV-18-389
Opinion Delivered: December 5, 2019
MARK CROCKETT AND MACON APPEAL FROM THE PHILLIPS CARTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT APPELLANTS [NO. 54CV-17-36 ]
V. HONORABLE RICHARD L. PROCTOR, JUDGE SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY AFFIRMED. APPELLEE
ROBIN F. WYNNE, Associate Justice
Mark Crockett and Macon Carter appeal from an order of the Phillips County
Circuit Court granting summary judgment in favor of Shelter Mutual Insurance Company
(Shelter) on their claim arising from medical expenses they incurred following an
automobile accident. On appeal, appellants contend that the trial court erred by granting
summary judgment in favor of Shelter because the policy language is ambiguous or,
alternatively, the policy language is against public policy and should be declared void.
Appellants also ask this court to reverse the denial of their motion in limine seeking to
exclude evidence of their health insurance or bill reductions by medical providers. We
affirm.
On February 12, 2016, appellants were passengers in a 2014 Nissan Versa that was
owned by Johnny Carter and being driven by Frank Ross. The vehicle was involved in an
accident. Carter had taken out a policy of insurance on the vehicle with Shelter. The policy contained a provision providing medical-expense benefits of up to $5000 per person.
Neither Crockett nor Carter had automobile medical-payment coverage. On March 2,
2017, appellants filed suit against Shelter, contending that they were entitled to medical
benefits under Carter’s policy with Shelter and that Shelter had “failed, refused and
neglected in bad faith” to make payments in violation of Arkansas Code Annotated section
23-89-202. Crockett alleged that he had incurred medical expenses in the amount of
$4,165.80, and that Shelter had paid only $2,706.68 and refused to pay the balance. Carter
alleged that he had incurred medical expenses in the amount of $10,443.47, that Shelter had
only paid $915 in benefits, and that Shelter refused to pay the balance up to the policy limit
of $5000. In addition to payment of their medical expenses, appellants sought a statutory
penalty, fees, and interest.
Shelter answered the complaint and subsequently filed a motion for summary
judgment. In the motion, Shelter contended that appellants’ medical providers had been
paid at a reduced rate that satisfied appellants’ medical expenses in full. Appellants opposed
the motion for summary judgment and filed a cross-motion for partial summary judgment.
They contended that they were entitled to additional funds under the policy’s medical-
benefits provision because the language of the policy was ambiguous, and that the policy
language was void as contrary to public policy. Appellants also filed a motion in limine
seeking to prevent Shelter from making any references at trial to payments it had made.
The trial court held a hearing on the parties’ various pretrial motions. On March 7,
2018, the trial court entered an order denying appellants’ motion for partial summary
2 judgment and motion in limine and granting Shelter’s motion for summary judgment. This
appeal followed.
The law is well settled regarding the standard of review used by this court in
reviewing a grant of summary judgment. Muccio v. Hunt, 2016 Ark. 178, 490 S.W.3d 310.
A trial court will grant summary judgment only when it is apparent that no genuine issues
of material fact exist requiring litigation and that the moving party is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law. Id. The burden of proof shifts to the opposing party once the moving
party establishes a prima facie entitlement to summary judgment; the opposing party must
demonstrate the existence of a material issue of fact. Id. After reviewing the evidence, the
trial court should deny summary judgment if, under the evidence, reasonable minds could
reach different conclusions from the same undisputed facts. Id.
Appellants argue that the trial court erred by granting summary judgment in favor of
Shelter because the applicable policy language is ambiguous. Language is ambiguous if there
is doubt or uncertainty as to its meaning and it is susceptible to more than one reasonable
interpretation. Smith v. Prudential Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 340 Ark. 335, 10 S.W.3d 846
(2000). Ordinarily, the question of whether the language of an insurance policy is ambiguous
is one of law to be resolved by the court. Western World Ins. Co. Inc. v. Branch, 332 Ark.
427, 965 S.W.2d 760. When a contract is unambiguous, its construction is a question of
law for this court. Id.; Unigard Sec. Ins. Co. v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc., 331 Ark. 211, 962
S.W.2d 735 (1998). When contracting parties express their intention in a written instrument
in clear and unambiguous language, it is the court’s duty to construe the writing in
3 accordance with the plain meaning of the language employed. Green v. Ferguson, 263 Ark.
601, 567 S.W.2d 89 (1978).
Part II, Coverage C of the insurance policy states “we will pay the reasonable
charges for necessary goods and services for the treatment of bodily injury sustained
by an insured.” (Emphasis original.) The policy defines “reasonable charges” as the lesser
of:
(a) The amount for which we can discharge the insured’s entire obligation to the person providing the goods and services; or
(b) The charges incurred for goods and services that in our judgment, are within the range of charges for the same or similar goods and services, in the geographic area where the services are rendered or the goods are purchased.
(Emphasis in original.) The policy defines “we” to mean the Shelter Company providing
the insurance.
Appellants’ argument regarding ambiguity is rooted in the fact that their counsel
negotiated with the medical providers to take less than the full amount of the bills in
satisfaction of the debt. They contend that the phrase “the amount for which we can
discharge” in the definition of “reasonable charges” could, in addition to Shelter’s
interpretation of the language, be reasonably interpreted to mean the amount for which
Shelter itself was responsible for discharging. They argue that, as a result of the ambiguity
in the policy language, summary judgment was not proper in this case.
Appellants are incorrect in their assertion that the applicable policy language is
ambiguous. In the context of a debt, to “discharge” means “to get rid of (as a debt or
obligation) by performing an appropriate action (as payment).” Discharge, Merriam-Webster’s
4 Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed. 2009). There is no reasonable interpretation of the term
“discharge” that could render it applicable to negotiating a lower amount as opposed to
paying the amount. Shelter discharged appellants’ debts through its payments. The trial court
did not err in granting summary judgment on this basis.
Next, appellants contend that the language in Shelter’s policy is against the public
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Digitally signed by Susan Williams Reason: I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Cite as 2019 Ark. 365 Date: SUPREME COURT OF ARKANSAS 2023.12.13 10:30:28 -06'00' No.CV-18-389
Opinion Delivered: December 5, 2019
MARK CROCKETT AND MACON APPEAL FROM THE PHILLIPS CARTER COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT APPELLANTS [NO. 54CV-17-36 ]
V. HONORABLE RICHARD L. PROCTOR, JUDGE SHELTER MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY AFFIRMED. APPELLEE
ROBIN F. WYNNE, Associate Justice
Mark Crockett and Macon Carter appeal from an order of the Phillips County
Circuit Court granting summary judgment in favor of Shelter Mutual Insurance Company
(Shelter) on their claim arising from medical expenses they incurred following an
automobile accident. On appeal, appellants contend that the trial court erred by granting
summary judgment in favor of Shelter because the policy language is ambiguous or,
alternatively, the policy language is against public policy and should be declared void.
Appellants also ask this court to reverse the denial of their motion in limine seeking to
exclude evidence of their health insurance or bill reductions by medical providers. We
affirm.
On February 12, 2016, appellants were passengers in a 2014 Nissan Versa that was
owned by Johnny Carter and being driven by Frank Ross. The vehicle was involved in an
accident. Carter had taken out a policy of insurance on the vehicle with Shelter. The policy contained a provision providing medical-expense benefits of up to $5000 per person.
Neither Crockett nor Carter had automobile medical-payment coverage. On March 2,
2017, appellants filed suit against Shelter, contending that they were entitled to medical
benefits under Carter’s policy with Shelter and that Shelter had “failed, refused and
neglected in bad faith” to make payments in violation of Arkansas Code Annotated section
23-89-202. Crockett alleged that he had incurred medical expenses in the amount of
$4,165.80, and that Shelter had paid only $2,706.68 and refused to pay the balance. Carter
alleged that he had incurred medical expenses in the amount of $10,443.47, that Shelter had
only paid $915 in benefits, and that Shelter refused to pay the balance up to the policy limit
of $5000. In addition to payment of their medical expenses, appellants sought a statutory
penalty, fees, and interest.
Shelter answered the complaint and subsequently filed a motion for summary
judgment. In the motion, Shelter contended that appellants’ medical providers had been
paid at a reduced rate that satisfied appellants’ medical expenses in full. Appellants opposed
the motion for summary judgment and filed a cross-motion for partial summary judgment.
They contended that they were entitled to additional funds under the policy’s medical-
benefits provision because the language of the policy was ambiguous, and that the policy
language was void as contrary to public policy. Appellants also filed a motion in limine
seeking to prevent Shelter from making any references at trial to payments it had made.
The trial court held a hearing on the parties’ various pretrial motions. On March 7,
2018, the trial court entered an order denying appellants’ motion for partial summary
2 judgment and motion in limine and granting Shelter’s motion for summary judgment. This
appeal followed.
The law is well settled regarding the standard of review used by this court in
reviewing a grant of summary judgment. Muccio v. Hunt, 2016 Ark. 178, 490 S.W.3d 310.
A trial court will grant summary judgment only when it is apparent that no genuine issues
of material fact exist requiring litigation and that the moving party is entitled to judgment
as a matter of law. Id. The burden of proof shifts to the opposing party once the moving
party establishes a prima facie entitlement to summary judgment; the opposing party must
demonstrate the existence of a material issue of fact. Id. After reviewing the evidence, the
trial court should deny summary judgment if, under the evidence, reasonable minds could
reach different conclusions from the same undisputed facts. Id.
Appellants argue that the trial court erred by granting summary judgment in favor of
Shelter because the applicable policy language is ambiguous. Language is ambiguous if there
is doubt or uncertainty as to its meaning and it is susceptible to more than one reasonable
interpretation. Smith v. Prudential Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 340 Ark. 335, 10 S.W.3d 846
(2000). Ordinarily, the question of whether the language of an insurance policy is ambiguous
is one of law to be resolved by the court. Western World Ins. Co. Inc. v. Branch, 332 Ark.
427, 965 S.W.2d 760. When a contract is unambiguous, its construction is a question of
law for this court. Id.; Unigard Sec. Ins. Co. v. Murphy Oil USA, Inc., 331 Ark. 211, 962
S.W.2d 735 (1998). When contracting parties express their intention in a written instrument
in clear and unambiguous language, it is the court’s duty to construe the writing in
3 accordance with the plain meaning of the language employed. Green v. Ferguson, 263 Ark.
601, 567 S.W.2d 89 (1978).
Part II, Coverage C of the insurance policy states “we will pay the reasonable
charges for necessary goods and services for the treatment of bodily injury sustained
by an insured.” (Emphasis original.) The policy defines “reasonable charges” as the lesser
of:
(a) The amount for which we can discharge the insured’s entire obligation to the person providing the goods and services; or
(b) The charges incurred for goods and services that in our judgment, are within the range of charges for the same or similar goods and services, in the geographic area where the services are rendered or the goods are purchased.
(Emphasis in original.) The policy defines “we” to mean the Shelter Company providing
the insurance.
Appellants’ argument regarding ambiguity is rooted in the fact that their counsel
negotiated with the medical providers to take less than the full amount of the bills in
satisfaction of the debt. They contend that the phrase “the amount for which we can
discharge” in the definition of “reasonable charges” could, in addition to Shelter’s
interpretation of the language, be reasonably interpreted to mean the amount for which
Shelter itself was responsible for discharging. They argue that, as a result of the ambiguity
in the policy language, summary judgment was not proper in this case.
Appellants are incorrect in their assertion that the applicable policy language is
ambiguous. In the context of a debt, to “discharge” means “to get rid of (as a debt or
obligation) by performing an appropriate action (as payment).” Discharge, Merriam-Webster’s
4 Collegiate Dictionary (11th ed. 2009). There is no reasonable interpretation of the term
“discharge” that could render it applicable to negotiating a lower amount as opposed to
paying the amount. Shelter discharged appellants’ debts through its payments. The trial court
did not err in granting summary judgment on this basis.
Next, appellants contend that the language in Shelter’s policy is against the public
policy of the State of Arkansas, as reflected in Arkansas Code Annotated section 23-89-202
(Repl. 2014), which states as follows,
Every automobile liability insurance policy covering any private passenger motor vehicle issued or delivered in this state shall provide minimum medical and hospital benefits, income disability, and accidental death benefits under policy provisions and on forms approved by the Insurance Commissioner to the named insured and members of his or her family residing in the same household injured in a motor vehicle accident, to passengers injured while occupying the insured motor vehicle, and to persons other than those occupying another vehicle struck by the insured motor vehicle, without regard to fault, as follows:
(1) MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL BENEFITS. All reasonable and necessary expenses for medical, hospital, nursing, dental, surgical, ambulance, funeral expenses, and prosthetic services incurred within twenty-four (24) months after the automobile accident, up to an aggregate of five thousand dollars ($5,000) per person, and may include any nonmedical remedial care and treatment rendered in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing. Expenses for hospital room charges may be limited to semiprivate accommodations; (2) INCOME DISABILITY BENEFITS. Seventy percent (70%) of the loss of income from work during a period commencing eight (8) days after the date of the accident, and not to exceed fifty-two (52) weeks, but subject to a maximum of one hundred forty dollars ($140) per week. In the case of a nonincome earner, the benefits shall consist of expenses not to exceed seventy dollars ($70.00) per week, or any fractional part of a week, which are reasonably incurred for essential services in lieu of those the injured person would have performed without income during a period commencing eight (8) days after the date of the accident and not to exceed fifty-two (52) weeks; and
5 (3) ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFITS. The sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000), to be paid to the personal representative of the insured, should injury, sickness, or disease resulting from an automobile accident cause death within one (1) year from the date of the accident.
Although appellants’ precise argument is somewhat difficult to discern, it appears that they
are contending that they are entitled under section 23-89-202 to receive payment of the
difference between what the providers billed and the amount the providers agreed to accept
from Shelter up to $5000. The clear intention of section 23-89-202 is to afford those
covered under an applicable policy of insurance a minimum of $5000 in available coverage
so that their medical expenses can be covered up to that amount. There is nothing in the
statute that would permit appellants to receive the difference between what the providers
billed and what they accepted as full satisfaction of the debt. Nor would such a decision
reflect sound public policy, as it would result in insurers providing benefits in addition to
medical benefits, which is neither required by the statute nor contemplated under the
insurance policy provisions at issue.
Appellants’ final argument is that the trial court erred in denying their motion in
limine. As the trial court did not err in granting summary judgment, this argument is moot.
Affirmed.
Stoner Law PLLC, by: Kyle Stoner; and
David Hodges, for appellants.
Matthews, Sanders & Sayes, P.A., by: Mel Sayes, for appellee.