Westfield Insurance v. R.L. Diorio Custom Homes, Inc.

932 N.E.2d 369, 187 Ohio App. 3d 377
CourtOhio Court of Appeals
DecidedMarch 15, 2010
DocketNo. CA2009-09-125
StatusPublished
Cited by3 cases

This text of 932 N.E.2d 369 (Westfield Insurance v. R.L. Diorio Custom Homes, Inc.) 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
Westfield Insurance v. R.L. Diorio Custom Homes, Inc., 932 N.E.2d 369, 187 Ohio App. 3d 377 (Ohio Ct. App. 2010).

Opinion

Powell, Judge.

{¶ 1} Defendant-appellant, R.L. Diorio Custom Homes, Inc., appeals the judgment of the Warren County Court of Common Pleas granting summary judgment in favor of plaintiff-appellee, Westfield Insurance Co.

[379]*379{¶ 2} On January 9, 2008, David and Brenda Schumacher filed an underlying action against Diorio regarding Diorio’s construction of their home and certain business practices. Among other allegations, the Schumachers alleged breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation on the basis that (1) Diorio failed to construct much of the home in a workmanlike manner, (2) Diorio failed to construct the home in a timely manner, and (3) Diorio misrepresented the time and expenses associated with the construction.1

{¶ 3} Pursuant to a commercial general liability (“CGL”) policy held by Diorio, Westfield defended Diorio in the underlying action under a reservation of rights. The CGL coverage form, which sets forth the terms and conditions of CGL coverage, provides:

{¶ 4} “SECTION I — COVERAGES
{¶ 5} “COVERAGE A. BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY
{¶ 6} “1. Insuring Agreement
{¶ 7} “a. We will pay those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of * * * ‘property damage’ to which this insurance applies. We will have the right and duty to defend the insured against any ‘suit’ seeking those damages. However, we will have no duty to defend any ‘suit’ seeking damages for * * * ‘property damage’ to which this insurance does not apply. * * *
{¶ 8} “ b. This insurance applies to * * * ‘property damage’ only if:
{¶ 9} “(1) The * * * ‘property damage’ is caused by an ‘occurrence’ * *

{¶ 10} The term “occurrence” is defined in Section V, paragraph 13, as “an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions.” “Property damage” is defined in paragraph 17 to include “[p]hysical injury to tangible property, including all resulting loss of use of that property. All such loss of use shall be deemed to occur at the time of the physical injury that caused it.” “Property damage” also includes “[ljoss of use of tangible property that is not physically injured. All such loss of use shall be deemed to occur at the time of the ‘occurrence’ that caused it.”

{¶ 11} On December 26, 2008, Westfield filed a declaratory judgment action, seeking a declaration that it did not have a duty to defend the underlying action and that no coverage existed under the CGL policy. Westfield later moved for summary judgment to that effect. The trial court granted the motion and also [380]*380dismissed Diorio’s counterclaim, which sought a declaratory judgment requiring Westfield to defend and indemnify it against the Schumachers’ claims. In granting summary judgment against Diorio, the trial court stated that the Schumachers’ complaint in the underlying case did not “assert damage as the result of an ‘occurrence’ as defined in the policy. Consequently, there is no duty to defend [Diorio] in that action.” From that order, Diorio timely appeals, asserting two assignments of error.

{¶ 12} Assignment of Error No. 1:

{¶ 13} “The trial court erred in granting summary judgment to Westfield.”

{¶ 14} Assignment of Error No. 2:

{¶ 15} “The trial court erred in dismissing Diorio’s counterclaim.”

{¶ 16} For ease of discussion, we will address both of Diorio’s assignments of error concurrently. Diorio first argues the trial court erred in granting summary judgment in favor of Westfield because the insurer had a duty to defend Diorio in the underlying action. Diorio asserts that the Schumachers’ complaint is ambiguous as to the damages sought and that the only damages specifically pleaded are consequential to construction delays. Thus, Diorio argues that the damages sought should be covered under the CGL policy.

{¶ 17} In its second assignment of error, Diorio argues that the trial court erred in dismissing its counterclaim against Westfield for “the same reasons the trial court erred” in granting summary judgment and finding that the claims in the underlying action could not even “potentially or arguably” give rise to coverage under the policy. As stated, Diorio, in its counterclaim, sought a declaration from the trial court that Westfield is obligated, under the policy, to defend Diorio against any and all claims contained in the Schumachers’ complaint and indemnify Diorio if liability is determined in the underlying action.

{¶ 18} This court conducts a de novo review of a trial court’s decision on summary judgment. Burgess v. Tackas (1998), 125 Ohio App.3d 294, 296, 708 N.E.2d 285. A court may grant summary judgment only when (1) there is no genuine issue as to any material fact, (2) the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, and (3) it appears from the evidence submitted that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party, who is entitled to have the evidence construed most strongly in his favor. Civ.R. 56(C); Welco Indus., Inc. v. Applied Cos. (1993), 67 Ohio St.3d 344, 346, 617 N.E.2d 1129.

{¶ 19} “An insurer’s duty to defend is broader and distinct from its duty to indemnify. The scope of the allegations in the complaint against the insured determines whether an insurance company has a duty to defend the insured. [381]*381The insurer must defend the insured in an action when the allegations state a claim that potentially or arguably falls within the liability insurance coverage. However, an insurer need not defend any action or claims within the complaint when all the claims are clearly and indisputably outside the contracted coverage.” (Citations omitted.) Ohio Govt. Risk Mgt. Plan v. Harrison, 115 Ohio St.3d 241, 2007-Ohio-4948, 874 N.E.2d 1155, ¶ 19; Paramount Parks, Inc. v. Admiral Ins. Co., Warren App. No. CA2007-05-066, 2008-Ohio-1351, 2008 WL 757533, ¶20.

{¶ 20} As described above, the Schumachers’ complaint alleges that Diorio failed to construct their home in a workmanlike manner, failed to construct the home in a timely manner, and misrepresented the time and expenses relating to the construction of their home. The Schumachers further allege that as a result of Diorio’s breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation, they have suffered damages in excess of $25,000.

{¶ 21} After an independent and thorough review of the record, we find that the allegations contained in the Schumachers’ complaint failed to assert damages as the result of an “occurrence” as defined in the policy. A CGL policy like the one at issue does not insure against claims for defective or negligent workmanship or construction, because defective workmanship does not constitute an “accident.” Paramount Parks at ¶ 25; Heile v. Herrmann (1999), 136 Ohio App.3d 351, 353, 736 N.E.2d 566. Therefore, claims for defective or negligent workmanship do not constitute an “occurrence” under the policy. Id.

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Related

Allstate Vehicle & Property Ins. Co. v. Inabnitt
2022 Ohio 2098 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2022)
Powell v. Warren Cty. Bd. of Commrs.
2020 Ohio 5570 (Ohio Court of Appeals, 2020)

Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
932 N.E.2d 369, 187 Ohio App. 3d 377, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/westfield-insurance-v-rl-diorio-custom-homes-inc-ohioctapp-2010.