Natl. Eng. Con. v. U.S. Fid. Guar., Unpublished Decision (5-11-2004)

2004 Ohio 2503
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedMay 11, 2004
DocketCase No. 03AP-435.
StatusUnpublished
Cited by6 cases

This text of 2004 Ohio 2503 (Natl. Eng. Con. v. U.S. Fid. Guar., Unpublished Decision (5-11-2004)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Ohio Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Natl. Eng. Con. v. U.S. Fid. Guar., Unpublished Decision (5-11-2004), 2004 Ohio 2503 (Ohio Ct. App. 2004).

Opinion

OPINION
{¶ 1} National Engineering Contracting Company ("National") and Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("Liberty") appeal from the judgment of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas denying its motion for summary judgment and granting summary judgment in favor of defendant United States Fidelity Guaranty Company ("USFG").1 For the reasons that follow, we affirm in part and reverse in part.

{¶ 2} On February 21, 1983, National entered into a contract with Lake County, Ohio, as the general contractor on a public project to construct plant improvements at the Greater Mentor Wastewater Treatment Facility. National was required to furnish all the material, supplies, tools, equipment, and labor necessary for the completion of this project. One of the terms of this contract required National to provide certain equipment, including the screw pumps at issue. National subsequently entered into a contract with CPC Engineering Corporation ("CPC," now Wheelabrator). CPC was to design, manufacture, and furnish nine enclosed screw pumps to be used in construction of the plant improvements in accordance with specifications provided by Lake County. The screw pumps were delivered to the facility in October 1983. National stored the pumps on the facility's property. Installation of the pumps was completed in 1985. CPC turned over operation of the pumps to Lake County on May 3, 1985 with a one-year warranty.

{¶ 3} After installation, Lake County began to experience problems with the pumps. For example, corrosion was apparent on the screw pumps' bearings and ring roller surfaces. Within a few weeks, the pumps began producing excessive noise. Lake County sought correction of these problems from CPC. From approximately 1987 through 1992, CPC attempted to repair the problems. Lake County dealt exclusively with CPC during this time. Eventually, CPC ceased its efforts to repair.

{¶ 4} On March 26, 1996, Lake County sued CPC and National. It alleged that CPC designed, manufactured, and sold defective screw pumps and sought $3.6 million in damages. Lake County alleged that National had improperly stored the pumps sold by CPC and improperly installed the equipment. National was insured under a commercial general liability policy issued by USFG for the period of January 1, 1983 through January 1, 1986. A subsequent policy was issued to cover January 1, 1986 through January 1, 1987. National was served with the summons and complaint and forwarded copies of each to USFG on April 3, 1996. National requested that USFG provide a defense and indemnity as some of the claims were potentially covered during the time USFG's policies were in effect. USFG denied coverage and denied its duty to defend. From January 1, 1987 forward, National was insured under a commercial general liability policy issued by Liberty. National also forwarded copies of the lawsuit to Liberty and Liberty agreed to provide a defense under a reservation of rights. During the course of the lawsuit, Liberty kept USFG informed as to the proceedings and developments. On November 12, 1996, National provided USFG with discovery responses that documented damage to Lake County as early as 1985 in relation to the screw pumps. National reiterated its request that USFG provide a defense. USFG refused.

{¶ 5} In January 1997, Lake County filed an amended complaint asserting additional causes of action against National. The amended complaint alleged that CPC failed to provide National with lower bearings in any of the screw pumps that met contractual specifications, thereby breaching its contract with Lake County and National. Lake County alleged that National breached the contract by purchasing the defective screw pumps from CPC, resulting in premature wear of the ring and roller surfaces of the pumps, excessive noise, and excessive vibrations. Lake County further claimed that National improperly stored and installed the pumps resulting in a breach of contract, engaged in misrepresentation, and breached implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

{¶ 6} On May 29, 1997, the parties in the Lake County lawsuit attended a court-mandated settlement conference where a settlement was reached. CPC agreed to pay $540,000 and National agreed to pay $240,000. National also reimbursed Liberty in the amount of $76,482.92 in defense costs. National and Liberty agreed that National would pay $100,000 of the settlement, Liberty would pay $140,000, and then they would both seek recovery of their respective contributions from USFG. National and Liberty filed the instant lawsuit against USFG alleging breach of the insurance contract (duty to defend), breach of contract (duty to indemnify), subrogation, contribution/indemnification, and declaratory judgment. National demanded judgment in the amount of $176,482.92 ($100,000 plus defense costs of $76,482.92), plus costs, expenses, and interest. Liberty demanded judgment in the amount of $140,000 plus prejudgment interest, costs, expenses, attorney fees, and any applicable interest.

{¶ 7} The parties filed cross-motions for summary judgment. USFG claimed that as a matter of law, it had no duty to defend or indemnify National. National claimed the USFG policies provided coverage for the claims, thus USFG owed National a duty to defend. Liberty claimed it was entitled to subrogation to recover from USFG the settlement sums it paid in settlement of the claims asserted against National. The trial court granted USFG's motion for summary judgment. The trial court found that based on the business risk exclusions, USFG had no duty to defend. National and Liberty filed a motion for reconsideration, which the court denied. However, the parties had questions about whether the decision was a final appealable order. The court issued a judgment entry stating that its decision was based on exclusion (m) instead of (o), and that summary judgment was granted as to all claims. The court stated pursuant to Civ.R. 54(B) there was no just reason for delay. The instant appeal followed.

{¶ 8} National and Liberty ("appellants") assert the following assignments of error:

1. The trial court erred to the prejudice of the Plaintiffs/Appellants in denying their Motion for Summary Judgment and finding that Defendant/Appellee United States Fidelity Guaranty Company ("USFG") did not breach its applicable insurance policies with Plaintiff/Appellant National Engineering Contracting Company ("National") because two "business risk" exclusions therein — Exclusion (m) and Exclusion (A)(2)(d)(iii) — applied and barred National from defense and indemnity coverage for the underlying lawsuit.

2. The trial court erred to the prejudice of Plaintiffs/Appellants in denying their Motion for Summary Judgment and finding that, because USFG did not owe a duty to defend and indemnity to National, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company ("Liberty Mutual") was not entitled to subrogation from USFG of the amount of its payment of the settlement in the underlying action.

3. The trial court erred to the prejudice of Plaintiffs/Appellants in denying their Motion for Summary Judgment and denying their recovery of prejudgment interest under O.R.C. 1343.03(A) on defense costs and indemnity payments due from Defendant/Appellee USFG.

4.

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Bluebook (online)
2004 Ohio 2503, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/natl-eng-con-v-us-fid-guar-unpublished-decision-5-11-2004-ohioctapp-2004.