Martin v. West American Insurance

1999 NMCA 158, 993 P.2d 763, 128 N.M. 446
CourtNew Mexico Court of Appeals
DecidedNovember 17, 1999
DocketNo. 19,514
StatusPublished
Cited by8 cases

This text of 1999 NMCA 158 (Martin v. West American Insurance) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering New Mexico Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Martin v. West American Insurance, 1999 NMCA 158, 993 P.2d 763, 128 N.M. 446 (N.M. Ct. App. 1999).

Opinion

OPINION

APODACA, Judge.

{1} Plaintiff Earl T. Martin (Insured) appeals the trial court’s summary judgment in favor of Defendant West American Insurance Company (Insurer). Insured sued Insurer for bad faith, breach of contract, unfair trade practices, and unfair insurance practices. The suit arose from Insurer’s initial denial of defense of a personal injury action against Insured and its subsequent denial of indemnification for a settlement Insured negotiated without Insurer’s participation or consent. Insured raises two issues on appeal: (1) his homeowner’s insurance policy covered the personal injury action because it arose out of self-defense, and (2) the trial court erred in concluding as a matter of law that Insurer acted in good faith in denying a defense. We affirm.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

{2} The homeowner’s insurance policy excluded coverage for bodily injury that was “expected or intended by the insured.” In July 1991, Insured had a physical confrontation with his stepdaughter in his home. The stepdaughter filed a complaint for personal injury against him in August 1993. The complaint alleged that Insured battered his stepdaughter, resulting in serious physical and emotional injuries. Additionally, the complaint stated that Insured’s conduct was “egregious and oppressive, and characterized by malice or wantonness.” The complaint did not allege Insured’s negligence or any facts from which it could be inferred that Insured ácted in self-defense.

{3} In September 1993, Insured notified Insurer of his stepdaughter’s lawsuit. After receiving the complaint, Insurer contacted the stepdaughter’s counsel to ascertain whether the stepdaughter was alleging negligence or unintentional conduct that might trigger a duty to defend or indemnify under the homeowner’s policy. The stepdaughter’s counsel informed Insurer that the suit was solely based on intentional battery. Insurer assigned a claims representative to investigate. The claims representative interviewed Insured by telephone that same month.

{4} In this interview, which was taped, Insured explained that his stepdaughter lived next door and that they had an argument concerning water use. After the argument, when Insured got out of the shower, he found his stepdaughter in his kitchen. He perceived that she was in a mood to quarrel. They yelled at each other, and Insured approached her to push her out the door. In response, she knocked his glasses off. He kept trying to push her out the door, and she kept lunging at him. The two exchanged blows and words. Insured denied that he was the aggressor. Later, there was other information provided by Insured to Insurer, which we discuss in other parts of this opinion.

{5} Insurer initially denied Insured’s claim for defense and indemnification. The letter of denial considered the stepdaughter’s allegations outside the scope of Insured’s coverage and advised Insured to contact Insurer if new facts emerged. Insured’s counsel responded, stating that Insured did not expect to involve Insurer in the lawsuit and that he understood the basis of denial. Later, Insured filed an answer denying his stepdaughter’s allegations. In his answer, he did not allege negligence or raise self-defense as an affirmative defense.

{6} By February 1995, Insured retained different counsel, who renewed his claim for policy benefits. Counsel stated to Insurer that Insured would refute the stepdaughter’s complaint on the basis of intent. Consequently, Insured maintained, a judgment in negligence could result if the stepdaughter amended her pleadings. Insured’s counsel also asserted that the policy would cover a negligence judgment. Insurer advised Insured to contact it with new facts or pleadings to consider. In April 1995, Insured informed Insurer that he intended to defend by asserting that he was not the aggressor and that the stepdaughter’s injuries were unintentional. He provided his deposition stating that the injuries were unintentional. Based on these new arguments, Insurer agreed, with a full reservation of rights, to defend Insured beginning April 28, 1995, the date it received Insured’s deposition.

{7} In May 1995, the trial on stepdaughter’s complaint against Insured commenced. The stepdaughter, however, never amended her complaint to allege negligence, and her case in chief focused on battery. A mistrial resulted part way through the trial because of the trial court’s acquaintance with the stepdaughter’s husband. Insured asked Insurer if it would contribute to a settlement, but Insurer declined. Insured did not ask if Insurer would continue its defense in a second trial. Insured and the stepdaughter then settled. Insured settled with the stepdaughter, specifically representing that there existed no monies from Insurer to satisfy the stepdaughter’s claims.

{8} After the settlement, Insured sent Insurer a bill for $17,375 .78, which represented legal expenses and costs resulting from the stepdaughter’s suit from April 28, 1995, through May 30, 1995. Insurer paid the requested amount. Later, Insured demanded payment of defense costs incurred before April 28, 1995, and for indemnification of his settlement with his stepdaughter. Insurer denied that claim. That denial resulted in Insured’s lawsuit against Insurer, in which he sought compensatory and punitive damages, interest, costs, and attorney fees under NMSA 1978, § 57-12-10 (1987) (regarding unfair trade practices), or NMSA 1978, § 59A-16-30 (1990) (regarding insurance practices).

{9} Both parties moved for summary judgment. Insured sought partial summary judgment on liability on the claims pled. Insurer moved for summary judgment on all issues raised by Insured. Both parties agreed to a determination as a matter of law. At the hearing, the trial court stated that issues concerning self-defense, defense of residence, and reasonable force in removing a provoking trespasser were not material to its decision.

{10} Although the trial court questioned the appropriateness of listening to Insured’s taped interview, it reasoned that it should consider all the facts available to Insurer at the time it denied coverage in evaluating Insurer’s good faith in making a decision concerning coverage. The trial court considered whether the taped interview raised factual issues of negligence, requiring Insurer to investigate further. The court determined that Insured was in a brawl with his stepdaughter, knew he was hitting her, was infuriated, and lost control. Consequently, the trial court concluded that Insured’s statement did not raise an inference of negligence requiring Insurer to investigate further. On this basis, the trial court denied Insured’s summary judgment motion and granted Insurer’s motion. The trial court did not expressly rule on the question of indemnity.

II. DISCUSSION

A. Standard of Review

{11} We review de novo questions of law appealed from an entry of summary judgment. See Gallegos v. State Bd. of Educ., 1997-NMCA-040, ¶ 11, 123 N.M. 362, 940 P.2d 468. On questions of law, we are in as good a position as the trial court to make a determination. See id.

B. Insurer’s Duties to Defend

{12} Insured argues that the trial court erred in holding that his homeowner’s insurance policy excluded acts of self-defense.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
1999 NMCA 158, 993 P.2d 763, 128 N.M. 446, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/martin-v-west-american-insurance-nmctapp-1999.