West v. W. Va. Dept. of Transportation, No. 34749

SYLLABUS BY THE COURT

      1. “The appellate standard of review for an order granting or denying a renewed motion for a judgment as a matter of law after trial pursuant to Rule 50(b) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure [1998] is de novo.” Syl. Pt. 1, Fredeking v. Tyler, 224 W.Va. 1, 680 S.E.2d 16 (2009).

      2. “Although the ruling of a trial court in granting or denying a motion for a new trial is entitled to great respect and weight, the trial court's ruling will be reversed on appeal when it is clear that the trial court has acted under some misapprehension of the law or the evidence.” Syl. Pt. 4, Sanders v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 159 W.Va. 621, 225 S.E.2d 218 (1976).

Per Curiam:

      This appeal is brought by the defendants below, (See footnote 1) the West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, and Paul A. Mattox in his capacity as Commissioner of Highways (hereinafter collectively referred to as “DoH”) from the judgment entered March 19, 2008, by the Circuit Court of Brooke County after a trial by jury resulting in a verdict in favor of plaintiffs below, Keith West and Susan West, (hereinafter jointly referred to as “Wests”) in an amount of over $ 8 million. (See footnote 2) Although DoH raises numerous questions in this appeal, the dispositive issue is whether the applicable State liability insurance policy provides coverage under the circumstances presented in this case. Based upon our consideration of the issues raised in the briefs and oral arguments in light of the relevant documents and legal precedents, we reverse the judgment of the lower court and remand the case for further proceedings in order to determine the threshold issue of whether a properly executed State liability insurance policy was in place at the time the West accident occurred.

I. Factual and Procedural Background

      The case on which this appeal is based was filed by the Wests following a motor vehicle accident on January 20, 2005. Mr. West was a passenger in a truck his father was driving on Route 7, near Morgantown, West Virginia. There was slush on the road and the father lost control of the vehicle while entering a sharp curve. Although he regained control of the vehicle, the father was unable to bring the truck to a stop and steered the vehicle between a guardrail and telephone pole believing that the truck would come to rest in a meadow. Unfortunately, what the father conceived to be a meadow was actually a hillside. The truck rolled over while proceeding down the hill. The father was not injured, but Mr. West was ejected from the vehicle and sustained fractures to an upper arm and hip socket. No DoH employees were present at the site when the West accident occurred.

      The subject guardrail had been damaged during a previous accident, which by all accounts occurred on February 1, 2004. A shortening of the guardrail resulted from this prior incident due to the impact causing the guardrail to buckle and bend backward toward itself. DoH maintains it requested Penn Line to repair the guardrail on November 8, 2004, but the repair did not occur until February 7, 2005, or eighteen days after Mr. West was injured at the site.

      On April 19, 2006, the Wests filed suit against DoH and Penn Line, the company which eventually repaired the guardrail in question through its contract with DoH. The negligence claims the Wests levied against DoH involved negligent selection of Penn Line as a contractor, and failure to post a warning at the site of the damaged guardrail. The Wests' complaint also alleged that Penn Line was negligent in failing to install, repair, erect and/or replace the damaged section of guardrail, and for not engaging another entity to complete the repair in a more timely manner.

      With regard to the State's liability insurance policy, the complaint asserted that the Wests were seeking recovery from DoH pursuant to the State's National Union Fire Insurance Company policy number RMGL 480-62-96 “under and up to the limit of said liability insurance coverage.” The complaint goes on to state: “In the event that the defendants DoH and Mattox invoke the exclusion contained under 'Endorsement #7' [of the State liability insurance policy], plaintiffs seek a determination by the Court, and for the Court to enter a declaratory judgment, declaring that the same is null and void as being[] vague, ambiguous, unconscionable and against public policy.” (See footnote 3)

      In Penn Line's answer to the complaint, it raised a cross-claim against DoH seeking indemnification. In answer to Penn Line's cross-claim, DoH invoked immunity pursuant to Article VI, Section 35 of the West Virginia Constitution, and sought indemnification against Penn Line should DoH nonetheless be found liable based on the acts or omissions of Penn Line.

      Penn Line also filed a third-party complaint against the driver of the truck which the driver countered with a motion to dismiss. The trial court signed an agreed order on May 4, 2007, dismissing the third-party complaint against the driver with prejudice “based on the good faith settlement heretofore entered into between plaintiffs and . . . [the father].”

      On February 4, 2008, Penn Line filed a “Motion for Summary Judgment for Affirmative Finding of Insurance Coverage.” Four days later the Wests filed a “Motion for Summary Judgment on Declaratory Judgment Action” regarding coverage under the State's liability insurance policy. Arguments were heard on these motions on February 20, 2008; the lower court's rulings on the motions appeared in an order signed on February 26, 2008. The order conveys the trial court's initial finding that a declaratory judgment action was the proper course to decide the controversies. Thereafter, the order reflects the circuit court's conclusion that the policy issued by the National Union Fire Insurance Company was in place during the time of the accident and that the policy, without modification by
endorsement, provided coverage for the accident. The lower court specifically found that Endorsement No. 7, delineating circumstances in which coverage is excluded, (See footnote 4) was not part of the insurance contract because it was not signed. Finding that the lack of signature created an inherent ambiguity as to whether the insurance contract was modified by the provisions of Endorsement No. 7, the lower court concluded that the ambiguity had to be strictly construed against the insurance company in favor of providing coverage. The order further reflects the lower court's finding that even if the terms of Endorsement No. 7 were applicable, DoH had a duty to inspect guardrails and inspection was not an activity specifically excluded from coverage by the terms of Endorsement No. 7. Based upon these findings, the lower court granted both the Wests' motion for summary judgment on the declaratory judgment action and Penn Line's motion for summary judgment for an affirmative finding of insurance coverage. However, the lower court denied Penn Line's motion for summary judgment with respect to liability because the court concluded that issues of material fact remained in dispute.

      On February 27, 2008, the trial court entered an order captioned “Stipulation and Agreed Order of of [sic] Dismissal of Defendant Penn Line Service, Inc.” As related in this order, the Wests' claims against Penn Line were dismissed with prejudice due to a settlement between the parties. The order also reflects that the dismissal with prejudice included “all cross-claims filed against Penn Line by defendant West Virginia Department of Transportation, Division of Highways, for any indemnification and/or contribution.”

      The jury trial began on March 4, 2008, and concluded on March 7, 2008. DoH claims that the trial court made various flawed rulings before and during the trial which left the agency virtually defenseless, (See footnote 5) and it was because of these errors that the jury returned a verdict in favor of the Wests for over $8 million. (See footnote 6)

      DoH thereafter filed motions for a new trial, entry of judgment as a matter of law and entry of an order modifying or altering judgment. By order dated June 24, 2008, the lower court denied the post-trial motions for judgment as a matter of law or a new trial. The order further reflects that a ruling on the motion to modify judgment was deferred. Rather than remitting the judgment by the amount which exceeded the $1 million limit of the State liability insurance policy as requested in DoH's motion to modify, the lower court ordered discovery “to determine the full extent of insurance which may apply to the payment of any and/or all of the Judgment in this case.” (See footnote 7) The matter regarding other sources of insurance proceeds is pending before the lower court.

DoH filed its petition for appeal with this Court on January 23, 2009, with review being granted by order dated March 12, 2009.

II. Standard of Review

This case is before us from an order denying a renewed motion for entry of a judgment as a matter of law and a motion for a new trial. (See footnote 8) The standards we follow in conducting our review of such matters is settled. This Court recently held that “[t]he appellate standard of review for an order granting or denying a renewed motion for a judgment as a matter of law after trial pursuant to Rule 50(b) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure [1998] is de novo.” Syl. Pt. 1, Fredeking v. Tyler, 224 W.Va. 1, 680 S.E.2d 16 (2009). As for our review of rulings on motions for new trials, we explained in syllabus point four of Sanders v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 159 W.Va. 621, 225 S.E.2d 218 (1976), that “[a]lthough the ruling of a trial court in granting or denying a motion for a new trial is entitled to great respect and weight, the trial court's ruling will be reversed on appeal when it is clear that the trial court has acted under some misapprehension of the law or the evidence.”

III. Discussion

      DoH raises numerous issues in this appeal which fall within three general categories: (1) whether DoH's constitutional immunity from suit is excepted under the facts of the West accident because the claims are covered under the terms of a State liability insurance policy, (2) whether satisfaction of the judgment against DoH is limited to proceeds from any applicable State liability insurance policy; and (3) whether the trial court committed reversible error (a) by finding as a matter of law that DoH was negligent, (b) by excluding the driver of the vehicle from the verdict form, (c) by not allowing evidence that Mr. West was not wearing a seatbelt when the accident occurred, and (d) by not informing the jury of a settlement reached with another defendant during the course of the trial. For the reasons detailed below, only the first issue needs to be considered in order to dispose of this appeal.

      DoH focusing on the language of Endorsement No. 7 maintains that the lower court was incorrect in deciding the threshold question of whether the applicable State liability insurance policy extended coverage for injuries resulting from the West accident. If the claims are not covered by the policy, DoH maintains it is immune from suit pursuant to Article VI, § 35 of the West Virginia Constitution. (See footnote 9) Indeed, as we most recently observed in Wrenn v. West Virginia Department of Transportation, “the State is still constitutionally
immune from claims arising out of any activity or responsibility that is not covered under. . . [any insurance] policy [purchased or contracted for by the Board of Risk and Insurance Management (BRIM)]. W.Va. Code § 29-12-5(a)(4).” No. 34717, slip op. at 7.

      Hence, we turn our focus to the State liability policy purportedly in effect at the time of the accident in light of the lower court's determinations. As earlier noted in this opinion, the lower court found that National Union Fire Insurance Company policy RMGL 480-62-96 was in effect at the time the West accident occurred in January 2005, and provided coverage for the accident if no endorsement would otherwise alter its terms. DoH argued below as it does here that Endorsement No. 7 to the policy provides such modification because no DoH employees were present at the scene when the accident occurred. However, the court below concluded that the exclusionary language of Endorsement No. 7 was inapplicable to the situation at hand for two reasons: (1) the signature line on the certified copy of Endorsement No. 7 examined by the lower court was not signed; and (2) even if Endorsement No. 7 had been signed, inspection is not specified among the exclusionary acts listed in the endorsement. (See footnote 10) The precise ruling of the trial court with regard to the availability of State insurance to cover this accident appears in the trial court's February 26, 2008, order as follows:

It is undisputed, and the Court FINDS and CONCLUDES that policy RMGL 480-62-96 issued by the National Union Fire Insurance Company was in place for the period covering July 1, 2004, to July 1, 2005. This policy was in place at the time the West accident occurred in January 2005. The Court further FINDS and CONCLUDES that the policy's Comprehensive Liability Coverage, if unmodified by any applicable endorsements, clearly provides coverage for the accident at issue.

Emphasis in original. The February 26, 2008, order also indicates that in order to arrive at this decision the lower court relied on a certified copy of the State insurance policy attached as an exhibit to Penn Line's brief in support of its motion for an affirmative finding of State insurance coverage. The referenced exhibit was not physically attached to the copy of the Penn Line brief in the record certified to this Court. Based upon both our need to review the document relied upon by the lower court and the lower court's incorporation of the document into the record by reference in the February 26, 2008, order, we instructed the Clerk of this Court to obtain a copy of the document. (See footnote 11)

Review of the policy relied upon by the lower court disclosed that not only was Endorsement No. 7 of the policy unsigned, but no signature appeared on any part of the policy, including the declarations page. The lack of signature on the contract for insurance is legally significant because at the time Policy RMGL 480-62-96 was issued, there was a statutory requirement that all contracts of insurance be signed. W. Va. Code § 33-12-11 (2002). (See footnote 12)

      DoH had indicated in its brief that it would be able to supply a signed copy of the State insurance policy, which we directed the Clerk to obtain. Comparison of the policy relied upon by the lower court and the policy submitted by DoH revealed differences between the documents going beyond the appearance of a signature on the declarations page. Although the policy supplied by DoH was not part of the appellate record and could not be relied upon for any substantive purpose in this appeal, (See footnote 13) its existence does bring into sharper focus an oversight of the trial court. In light of Pittsburgh Elevator v. West Virginia Bd. of Regents, 172 W. Va. 743, 310 S.E.2d 675 (1983), the fundamental issue that needs to be determined in this case is whether a valid insurance policy exists which would cover the Wests' claims. Under these circumstances, it would be premature for this Court to address any issues regarding the effect Endorsement No. 7 could have on the insurance coverage that may be available. See Syl. Pt. 2, in part, Harshbarger v. Gainer, 184 W.Va. 656, 403 S.E.2d 399 (W.Va. 1991) (“'Courts are not constituted for the purpose of making advisory decrees or resolving academic disputes.' Mainella v. Board of Trustees of Policemen's Pension or Relief Fund of City of Fairmont, 126 W.Va. 183, 185-86, 27 S.E.2d 486, 487-88 (1943).”).

      The February 26, 2008, order simply provides no legal basis for the conclusory ruling that a State liability policy was in place at the time the accident occurred. The order reveals careful examination of the blank signature line on Endorsement No. 7, without mention of the omission of the statutorily required signature on the insurance contract. Based upon the above, we reverse the judgment in this case and remand the matter for further proceedings to address the threshold legal determination of whether a properly executed State insurance policy was in effect at the time the West accident occurred. After making this determination, the trial court should consider what effect, it any, the decision regarding the status of State insurance coverage has on the previously entered judgment relating to Endorsement No. 7 so that an appealable order regarding the same may be entered.

IV. Conclusion

In keeping with the foregoing, the judgment of the Circuit Court of Brooke County is hereby reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

Reversed and Remanded.

Footnote: 1

Penn Line Service, Inc. (hereinafter “Penn Line”) was originally named as another defendant in the complaint, but the claims against the company were dismissed as part of a settlement agreement.

Footnote: 2

The order from which appeal is taken is dated June 24, 2008, which reflects inter alia the trial court's denial of DoH's motions for entry of a judgment as a matter of law and a new trial.

Footnote: 3

The public policy argument is not related to the appealed trial court rulings before us. However, we decided most recently in syllabus point six of Wrenn v. West Virginia Department of Transportation, W.Va. , S.E.2d (No. 34717, filed November 2, 2009), that upon consideration of “the breadth of the Division of Highway's 'primary functions,' and the expense that would be incurred by providing insurance coverage for every function, . . . the exclusions contained in Endorsement No. 7 to the State's liability insurance policy . . . do[] not violate the laws and public policy of West Virginia.”

Footnote: 4

The text of Endorsement No. 7 to Policy No. RMGL 480-62-96 reads as follows:

It is agreed that the insurance afforded under this policy does not apply to any claim resulting from the ownership, design, selection, installation, maintenance, location, supervision, operation, construction, use, or control of streets (including sidewalks, highways or other public thoroughfares), bridges, tunnels, dams, culverts, storm or sanitary sewers, rights-of way, signs, warnings, markers, markings, guardrails, fences, or related or similar activities or things but it is agreed that the insurance afforded under this policy does apply (1) to claims of “bodily injury” or “property damage”which both directly result from and occur while employees of the State of West Virginia are physically present at the site of the incident at which the “bodily injury” or “property damage” occurred performing construction, maintenance, repair, or cleaning (but excluding inspection of work being performed or materials being used by others) and (2) to claims of “bodily injury” or “property damage” which arise out of the maintenance or use of sidewalks which abut buildings covered by the policy.

Emphasis in original.

Footnote: 5