Mendota Insurance v. Hurst

965 F. Supp. 1282, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11540, 1997 WL 310036
CourtDistrict Court, W.D. Missouri
DecidedApril 8, 1997
DocketNo. 96-0202-CV-W-5
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 965 F. Supp. 1282 (Mendota Insurance v. Hurst) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering District Court, W.D. Missouri primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Mendota Insurance v. Hurst, 965 F. Supp. 1282, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11540, 1997 WL 310036 (W.D. Mo. 1997).

Opinion

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

LAUGHREY, District Judge.

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Mendota Insurance Company’s (“Mendota”) Motion for Summary Judgment, together with Suggestions in Support, filed on November 4, 1996. Defendant Tina Hurst (“Ms. Hurst”) and Defendant Steven Jenkins (“Mr. Jenkins”) filed Suggestions in Opposition, to which Mendota filed Reply Suggestions. After due consideration of the above, and for the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs Motion is granted in part, and the remaining prayers for judgment set forth in Mendota’s Complaint are dismissed,

I. Summary Judgment Standard

A moving party is entitled to summary judgment “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). When considering a motion for summary judgment, a court must scrutinize the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and the non-moving party “must be given the benefit of all reasonable inferences.” Mirax Chem. Prod. Corp. v. First Interstate Commercial Corp., 950 F.2d 566, 569 (8th Cir.1991) (citation omitted). If the moving party meets its burden of proof, the burden shifts to the non-moving party who must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial to defeat the motion for summary judgment. . Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).

With these principles in mind, the Court turns to an examination of the facts.

II. Factual Background

Pursuant to Local Rule 13(G), Mendota’s Suggestions in Support begin with separately numbered paragraphs of concise statements of uncontroverted facts. Each fact is supported by reference to a specific part of the record where the fact is established. Rule 13(G) requires Ms. Hurst and Mr. Jenkins to specifically list the facts they contend are in dispute, and to “refer specifically to those portions of the record upon which [he/ she] relies.” Mr. Jenkins’ Opposition complies with the local rule, however, Ms. Hurst’s Opposition does not. Although Ms. Hurst denies the vast majority of the uncontroverted facts set forth by Mendota, not one of her denials is supported by record citation, affidavit or otherwise. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 13(G)(1), for purposes of summary judgment, Ms. Hurst is deemed to have admitted each of Mendota’s uncontroverted facts. Such uncontroverted facts, together with any uncontroverted facts set forth in Ms. Hurst’s Suggestions in Opposition and/or in Mr. Jenkins’ Suggestions in Opposition, form the basis of the Court’s understanding of the factual background of this ease.

[1284]*1284This matter arises out of an automobile accident that occurred on May 22,1993. The accident involved cars driven by Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Hurst. Mr. Hurst, Gary Hurst, Jr., and Matthew Hurst were passengers in the car driven by Ms. Hurst. Mr. Hurst was killed in the accident and Gary Hurst, Jr., Matthew Hurst and Ms. Hurst each suffered bodily injuries. At the time of the accident, Mr. Jenkins was covered by an automobile insurance policy issued by Plaintiff Mendota. The insurance policy covered bodily injuries up to $25,000 per person and contained a $50,000 per occurrence limitation. [Pl.’s Ex. U

On May 27, 1993, Mr. Andrew Gelbaeh, counsel for the Hursts, wrote a letter to the adjusting company hired by Mendota to investigate the accident. [Pl.’s Ex. 2.] The letter provided in relevant part, as follows:

In accordance with Missouri Revised Statute 408.040, this letter is a formal demand for payment of the policy limits of all liability insurance coverages that apply to this ease. My willingness to recommend a policy limits settlement with my clients is conditioned upon the above events occurring and this documentation being provided to me timely. My willingness to recommend a policy limits settlement is open for 60 days from the date of this letter.

[Pl.’s Ex. 2.] Additionally, the letter sets forth that Mr. Gelbach’s willingness to recommend a policy limits settlement was conditioned upon the production of variousdocuments and information, including the following: letters verifying total liability coverage and ownership of the vehicle, certified copies of the insurance policies, copies of Mr. Jenkins’ certificate of title, federal and state income tax returns, net worth statements, payroll checks and/or income records, and an affidavit stating how the accident occurred, and where and what alcohol Mr. Jenkins had consumed prior to the accident. [PL’s Ex. 2.] Mr. Gelbach’s recommendation was further conditioned upon his being able to take the sworn statement of. Mr. Jenkins within 60 days. [PL’s Ex. 2.]

Mendota received the May 27 letter on or about May 28, 1993, and immediately instructed its insurance adjuster to forward a copy of the letter to Mr. Jenkins’ personal attorney, Mr. Michael Fitzgerald.1 Upon Mendota’s receipt of the letter, Mendota undertook to provide the information within its control, including a certified copy of the insurance policy and a verification of the total insurance coverage available. Mendota, through Mr. Fitzgerald, requested that Mr. Jenkins provide the remaining information demanded in the May 27 letter.

On June 8, 1993, Mr. Gelbaeh sent a letter to the adjuster requesting that Mendota pay Mr. Hurst’s medical and funeral expenses and the medical expenses of the Hurst family members. [PL’s Ex. 6.] Shortly thereafter, on June 14, 1993, Mendota sent Mr. Gelbaeh a certified copy of the insurance policy and informed Mr. Gelbaeh that the requested information relating to Mr. Jenkins and his personal assets would have to be obtained directly from Mr. Fitzgerald. [PL’s Ex. 7.]2 The letter further stated as follows:

We will not be disputing coverage in this matter. I understand that this will be an obvious payment of our policy limits for the death of Gary Hurst, Sr.; however, I am requesting from you a copy of any medical records or documentation you have supporting the injuries suffered by his wife and children.

[PL’s Ex. 7.] Mr. Gelbaeh did not provide Mendota with any documentation as to the bodily injury claims before the expiration of the 60 day period established in Mr. Gelbach’s May 27,1993 letter. Additionally, Mr. Jenkins did not demand that Mendota settle the wrongful death claim or the bodily injury claims within policy limits within the 60 day time period.

On July 27, 1993, a wrongful death suit was filed against Mr. Jenkins in state court for the death of Mr. Hurst. [PL’s Ex. 10.] Pursuant to the insurance policy, Mendota [1285]*1285appointed counsel to represent Mr. Jenkins in the lawsuit. The settlement negotiations between the parties continued, however, no settlement was ever reached. [Pl.’s Exs. 11-16, and 18.] On September 28, 1994, the wrongful death case proceeded to trial and the jury entered a verdict for $850,000 against Mr. Jenkins. Pursuant to Mo.Rev. Stat. § 408.040, the Court awarded $90,-128.35 in prejudgment interest to the Hursts.

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965 F. Supp. 1282, 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 11540, 1997 WL 310036, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/mendota-insurance-v-hurst-mowd-1997.