STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
11-830
SUCCESSION OF ACHILLE BIJEAUX
VERSUS
MILDRED BOURQUE BROYLES, ET AL.
**********
APPEAL FROM THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, NO. C-20053771 HONORABLE PATRICK LOUIS MICHOT, DISTRICT JUDGE
SHANNON J. GREMILLION JUDGE
Court composed of Sylvia R. Cooks, John D. Saunders, and Shannon J. Gremillion, Judges.
Saunders, J., dissents.
AFFIRMED
David John Calogero Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards P. O. Drawer 2908 Lafayette, LA 70502 (337) 237-1660 Counsel for Appellee: David Anderson Alford Stanford B. Gauthier, II
Stan Gauthier, II, APLC Michael G. Johnston, II Attorney at Law 1405 West Pinhook Rd, Ste 105 Lafayette, La 70503 (337) 234-0099 Counsel for Appellant: Succession of Achille Bijeaux James Patrick MacManus Attorney at Law P.O. Box 4708 Lafayette, LA 70502-4708 (337) 234-1720 Counsel for Appellee: Mildred Bourque Broyles
Thomas A. Roberts Larry E. Mobley Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C. 909 Poydras St., Suite 2400 New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 589-9700 Counsel for Appellees: David Anderson Alford Morgan, Stanley, Smith, Barney, LLC
G. Philip Shuler, III H. Michael Bush Kurt D. Duncan Chaffe, McCall, LLP 1100 Poydras St., Suite 2300 New Orleans, LA 70162-2300 (504) 585-7000 Counsel for Appellee: John Hancock Life Insurance(U.S.A.) GREMILLION, Judge.
The Succession of Achille Bijeaux appeals the judgment dismissing its
demands against John Hancock Life Insurance (U.S.A.) on summary judgment and
against David A. Alford and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, L.L.C. (Smith Barney)
on exceptions of peremption. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
FACTS
The Succession filed suit on July 21, 2005, against a number of defendants,
alleging that in February and March, 1998, Mildred Broyles forged Achille
Bijeaux’s signatures on applications for two annuity contracts that named Broyles
as beneficiary. It was also alleged that Alford acted as the agent of John Hancock
(then known as Manufacturer’s Life) and the employee of Smith Barney and that
he completed the applications and assisted Broyles in the forgery. Broyles then
allegedly converted Mr. Bijeaux’s funds from two banks to pay the annuity
contracts, again with Alford’s assistance.
Mr. Bijeaux died in January 2003. Broyles allegedly filed benefits
statements on the two annuities, again assisted by Alford, who submitted the
claims to John Hancock, which John Hancock paid. The Succession demanded
damages for the conversion of Mr. Bijeaux’s funds from Broyles and the funds
themselves from the remaining defendants.
Alford and Smith Barney filed exceptions of peremption, asserting that the
claims against them were barred by La.R.S. 9:5606, which provides for a three-
year peremptive period for claims for damages against insurance agents, brokers,
solicitors, or other licensees, calculated from the date of the alleged act or omission.
John Hancock filed a similar exception of peremption and a motion for summary
judgment. The motion for summary judgment was based on John Hancock’s
contention that Alford was not its agent and it was not liable for any of his actions, on the immunity from liability for paying the named beneficiary prior to notice of a
dispute found in La.R.S. 22:877, and on peremption under La.R.S. 9:5606.
The Succession maintained that La.R.S. 9:5606 did not apply at all. Its
argument was premised upon its contention that Bijeaux did not contract for
insurance services, and as he did not so contract, there was no “engagement to
provide insurance services,” as required by the statute.
The exceptions and motion for summary judgment were heard on the same
date. The trial court ruled in favor of Alford, Smith Barney, and John Hancock.
This appeal followed.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
The Succession assigns as errors the granting of the exceptions of
peremption in favor of Alford and Smith Barney and the granting of John
Hancock’s motion for summary judgment.
ANALYSIS
The exceptions of peremption
Louisiana Revised Statute 9:5606 provides (Emphasis added):
A. No action for damages against any insurance agent, broker, solicitor, or other similar licensee under this state, whether based upon tort, or breach of contract, or otherwise, arising out of an engagement to provide insurance services shall be brought unless filed in a court of competent jurisdiction and proper venue within one year from the date of the alleged act, omission, or neglect, or within one year from the date that the alleged act, omission, or neglect is discovered or should have been discovered. However, even as to actions filed within one year from the date of such discovery, in all events such actions shall be filed at the latest within three years from the date of the alleged act, omission, or neglect.
B. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all persons whether or not infirm or under disability of any kind and including minors and interdicts.
C. The peremptive period provided in Subsection A of this Section shall not apply in cases of fraud, as defined in Civil Code Article 1953. 2 D. The one-year and three-year periods of limitation provided in Subsection A of this Section are peremptive periods within the meaning of Civil Code Article 3458 and, in accordance with Civil Code Article 3461, may not be renounced, interrupted, or suspended.
“Peremption” is defined as a period of time fixed by law for the existence of a
right. La.Civ. Code art. 3458. Once a peremptive period tolls, the obligation
sought to be enforced is extinguished. Id.
The Succession argues that section 5606 does not apply because this was not
an engagement to provide insurance services. This was not an engagement to
provide insurance services, the Succession argues, because its evidence would
have demonstrated that Bijeaux did not consent to the engagement. The
Succession also complains of the procedure employed by the trial court at the
hearing on the exceptions.
The Succession moved that the exceptions be dismissed because Smith
Barney and Alford had presented no evidence to demonstrate that there was an
insuring agreement, as the annuities were not filed. Smith Barney then offered the
depositions of Alford and Broyles, the Succession’s petition, and a motion to
traverse the detailed descriptive list filed in the succession proceedings. The
Succession’s counsel did not object to the introduction of these before the trial
court admitted them. The trial court then maintained the exceptions without
allowing the Succession to introduce evidence in opposition to the exceptions.
That testimony was then proffered.
An exception of peremption is considered a peremptory exception. Rando v.
Anco Insulations, Inc., 08-1163 (La. 5/22/09), 16 So.3d 1065. The party who files
the exception bears the burden of proof, unless the matter is facially barred. Id. In
the event that peremption is evident from the face of the pleadings, the burden of
proof shifts to the plaintiff. Id. If evidence is introduced, the trial court’s 3 conclusions are reviewed under the manifest error/clearly wrong standard. Id.
Further, “[p]eremptive statutes are strictly construed against peremption and in
favor of the claim. Of the possible constructions, the one that maintains the
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STATE OF LOUISIANA COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT
11-830
SUCCESSION OF ACHILLE BIJEAUX
VERSUS
MILDRED BOURQUE BROYLES, ET AL.
**********
APPEAL FROM THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT PARISH OF LAFAYETTE, NO. C-20053771 HONORABLE PATRICK LOUIS MICHOT, DISTRICT JUDGE
SHANNON J. GREMILLION JUDGE
Court composed of Sylvia R. Cooks, John D. Saunders, and Shannon J. Gremillion, Judges.
Saunders, J., dissents.
AFFIRMED
David John Calogero Davidson, Meaux, Sonnier, McElligott, Fontenot, Gideon & Edwards P. O. Drawer 2908 Lafayette, LA 70502 (337) 237-1660 Counsel for Appellee: David Anderson Alford Stanford B. Gauthier, II
Stan Gauthier, II, APLC Michael G. Johnston, II Attorney at Law 1405 West Pinhook Rd, Ste 105 Lafayette, La 70503 (337) 234-0099 Counsel for Appellant: Succession of Achille Bijeaux James Patrick MacManus Attorney at Law P.O. Box 4708 Lafayette, LA 70502-4708 (337) 234-1720 Counsel for Appellee: Mildred Bourque Broyles
Thomas A. Roberts Larry E. Mobley Barrasso, Usdin, Kupperman, Freeman & Sarver, L.L.C. 909 Poydras St., Suite 2400 New Orleans, LA 70112 (504) 589-9700 Counsel for Appellees: David Anderson Alford Morgan, Stanley, Smith, Barney, LLC
G. Philip Shuler, III H. Michael Bush Kurt D. Duncan Chaffe, McCall, LLP 1100 Poydras St., Suite 2300 New Orleans, LA 70162-2300 (504) 585-7000 Counsel for Appellee: John Hancock Life Insurance(U.S.A.) GREMILLION, Judge.
The Succession of Achille Bijeaux appeals the judgment dismissing its
demands against John Hancock Life Insurance (U.S.A.) on summary judgment and
against David A. Alford and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney, L.L.C. (Smith Barney)
on exceptions of peremption. For the reasons that follow, we affirm.
FACTS
The Succession filed suit on July 21, 2005, against a number of defendants,
alleging that in February and March, 1998, Mildred Broyles forged Achille
Bijeaux’s signatures on applications for two annuity contracts that named Broyles
as beneficiary. It was also alleged that Alford acted as the agent of John Hancock
(then known as Manufacturer’s Life) and the employee of Smith Barney and that
he completed the applications and assisted Broyles in the forgery. Broyles then
allegedly converted Mr. Bijeaux’s funds from two banks to pay the annuity
contracts, again with Alford’s assistance.
Mr. Bijeaux died in January 2003. Broyles allegedly filed benefits
statements on the two annuities, again assisted by Alford, who submitted the
claims to John Hancock, which John Hancock paid. The Succession demanded
damages for the conversion of Mr. Bijeaux’s funds from Broyles and the funds
themselves from the remaining defendants.
Alford and Smith Barney filed exceptions of peremption, asserting that the
claims against them were barred by La.R.S. 9:5606, which provides for a three-
year peremptive period for claims for damages against insurance agents, brokers,
solicitors, or other licensees, calculated from the date of the alleged act or omission.
John Hancock filed a similar exception of peremption and a motion for summary
judgment. The motion for summary judgment was based on John Hancock’s
contention that Alford was not its agent and it was not liable for any of his actions, on the immunity from liability for paying the named beneficiary prior to notice of a
dispute found in La.R.S. 22:877, and on peremption under La.R.S. 9:5606.
The Succession maintained that La.R.S. 9:5606 did not apply at all. Its
argument was premised upon its contention that Bijeaux did not contract for
insurance services, and as he did not so contract, there was no “engagement to
provide insurance services,” as required by the statute.
The exceptions and motion for summary judgment were heard on the same
date. The trial court ruled in favor of Alford, Smith Barney, and John Hancock.
This appeal followed.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
The Succession assigns as errors the granting of the exceptions of
peremption in favor of Alford and Smith Barney and the granting of John
Hancock’s motion for summary judgment.
ANALYSIS
The exceptions of peremption
Louisiana Revised Statute 9:5606 provides (Emphasis added):
A. No action for damages against any insurance agent, broker, solicitor, or other similar licensee under this state, whether based upon tort, or breach of contract, or otherwise, arising out of an engagement to provide insurance services shall be brought unless filed in a court of competent jurisdiction and proper venue within one year from the date of the alleged act, omission, or neglect, or within one year from the date that the alleged act, omission, or neglect is discovered or should have been discovered. However, even as to actions filed within one year from the date of such discovery, in all events such actions shall be filed at the latest within three years from the date of the alleged act, omission, or neglect.
B. The provisions of this Section shall apply to all persons whether or not infirm or under disability of any kind and including minors and interdicts.
C. The peremptive period provided in Subsection A of this Section shall not apply in cases of fraud, as defined in Civil Code Article 1953. 2 D. The one-year and three-year periods of limitation provided in Subsection A of this Section are peremptive periods within the meaning of Civil Code Article 3458 and, in accordance with Civil Code Article 3461, may not be renounced, interrupted, or suspended.
“Peremption” is defined as a period of time fixed by law for the existence of a
right. La.Civ. Code art. 3458. Once a peremptive period tolls, the obligation
sought to be enforced is extinguished. Id.
The Succession argues that section 5606 does not apply because this was not
an engagement to provide insurance services. This was not an engagement to
provide insurance services, the Succession argues, because its evidence would
have demonstrated that Bijeaux did not consent to the engagement. The
Succession also complains of the procedure employed by the trial court at the
hearing on the exceptions.
The Succession moved that the exceptions be dismissed because Smith
Barney and Alford had presented no evidence to demonstrate that there was an
insuring agreement, as the annuities were not filed. Smith Barney then offered the
depositions of Alford and Broyles, the Succession’s petition, and a motion to
traverse the detailed descriptive list filed in the succession proceedings. The
Succession’s counsel did not object to the introduction of these before the trial
court admitted them. The trial court then maintained the exceptions without
allowing the Succession to introduce evidence in opposition to the exceptions.
That testimony was then proffered.
An exception of peremption is considered a peremptory exception. Rando v.
Anco Insulations, Inc., 08-1163 (La. 5/22/09), 16 So.3d 1065. The party who files
the exception bears the burden of proof, unless the matter is facially barred. Id. In
the event that peremption is evident from the face of the pleadings, the burden of
proof shifts to the plaintiff. Id. If evidence is introduced, the trial court’s 3 conclusions are reviewed under the manifest error/clearly wrong standard. Id.
Further, “[p]eremptive statutes are strictly construed against peremption and in
favor of the claim. Of the possible constructions, the one that maintains the
enforcement of the claim or action, rather than the one that bars enforcement
should be adopted.” Id., at 1083.
Here, the trial court ruled on the exception before allowing the Succession to
offer testimony. This constituted legal error. Evidence is allowed on exceptions of
peremption. Id. However, because the succession proffered evidence, and this
court is constitutionally vested with jurisdiction to review findings of law and fact,
we are required to render judgment on a complete record. La.Code Civ.P. art.
2164; Gonzales v. Xerox Corp., 320 So.2d 163 (La.1975).
The Succession argues that this was not an engagement to provide insurance
services because the evidence fails to demonstrate that Bijeaux consented to the
purchase of the annuities. It claims that Alford’s testimony, in which he asserted
that Bijeaux told him in English that he wanted to name Broyles as the beneficiary,
was in complete contrast to the testimonies of the other witnesses whose testimony
was proffered. Because Bijeaux did not understand English, he could have neither
consented to purchasing the annuities nor to naming Broyles the beneficiary.
We need not reach this issue. Alford’s alleged acts occurred in 1998. The
annuities were delivered to Achille Bijeaux. The annuities clearly identified
Broyles as the beneficiary. It was incumbent upon Bijeaux to review the annuities
and if he did not understand them, to make inquiries. His receipt of the policies
represented constructive notice sufficient to commence the tolling of peremption.
Boes Iron Works, L.L.C. v. Galatas, 07-336 (La.App. 5 Cir. 12/11/07), 974 So.2d
713; Roadhouse Bar-B-Que, Inc. v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyds, 04-1697
(La.App. 3 Cir. 5/4/05), 909 So.2d 619. Because the suit was filed more than three 4 years after the alleged act, omission, or neglect, it is barred by peremption. The
fraud exception to La.R.S. 9:5606 only applies to the one-year peremptive period.
Boes Iron Works, L.L.C., 974 So.2d 713.
The motion by John Hancock
The provisions of La.R.S. 9:5606 apply equally to the situation of John
Hancock as they do to that of Smith Barney and Alford. The suit was filed well
after the preemptive period expired. Because the claim against John Hancock is
preempted, we need not examine the other issues raised in its motion for summary
judgment.
CONCLUSION
The transactions involving the purchase of the annuities by Bijeaux are
subject to the three-year preemptive period created in La.R.S. 9:5606. The
judgment of the trial court dismissing the demands against David Alford, Smith
Barney, and John Hancock are affirmed. All costs of this proceeding are taxed to
appellant, the Succession of Achille Bijeaux.
AFFIRMED.