PVCA, INC., AND RENOLA EQUITY FUND II, LLC VERSUS PACIFIC WEST TD FUND LP, AND LOUISIANA CITIZENS PROPERTY INSURANCE COMPANY FAIR PLAN AND MAF, INC. DBA WORLDCLAIM GLOBAL CLIAMS MANAGEMENT
NO. 2020-CA-0327
COURT OF APPEAL FOURTH CIRCUIT STATE OF LOUISIANA
JANUARY 20, 2021
Judge Tiffany G. Chase
APPEAL FROM ST. BERNARD 34TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT NO. 13-0134, DIVISION “DIVISION D” Honorable Darren M. Roy
JENKINS, J., CONCURS IN THE RESULT
Richard A. Tonry, II
Raymond Brinson
Brian L. Glorioso
TONRY BRINSON AND GLORIOSO, LLC
245 Pontchartrain Drive
Slidell, LA 70458
COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFFS/APPELLEES
Kermit L. Roux, III
Isaac H. Ryan
DEUTSCH KERRIGAN, LLP
755 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70130-3672
COUNSEL FOR INTERVENOR/APPELLEE
Elizabeth Borne
TABARY AND BORNE, LLC
Three Courthouse Square
Chalmette, LA 70043
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANT/APPELLANT
AFFIRMED
JANUARY 20, 2021
FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
Renola is the owner of Park View Condominiums, in Chalmette, Louisiana, a complex consisting of four buildings with a total of 71 units. The complex consisted of 13 individual condominium units and 58 rental units. PVCA is the condominium association representing the interest of the owners of the individually sold units. On August 29, 2012, Hurricane Isaac made landfall, causing damage to the complex and surrounding areas. Prior to Hurricane Isaac,
On September 2, 2012, Renola alleged, as a result of Hurricane Isaac, it suffered property damage covered by its Louisiana Citizens’ policy. Contemporaneously with reporting the loss, Renola retained WorldClaim Global Claims Management (hereinafter “WorldClaim“), an independent insurance adjuster, to determine the scope of the damage to the complex. Renola submitted estimates of the damage to the property to Louisiana Citizens. However, Louisiana Citizens rejected the estimates maintaining that the damages reflected did not accurately represent the damages caused to the complex by Hurricane Isaac. On January 31, 2013, due to the disrepair of the complex, the St. Bernard Parish Government issued a Hazard Notice to Renola declaring the complex hazardous, condemning it for occupancy due to the saturation of the electrical system which presented a potential fire hazard. As a result, the complex was deemed uninhabitable and all occupants were required to vacate the property.
On February 28, 2013, PVCA and Renola filed a petition for declaratory judgment and damages naming WorldClaim2, Louisiana Citizens and Pacific West as defendants. PVCA and Renola alleged that Louisiana Citizens failed to adequately adjust and tender payment under the terms of the policy; breached its duty of good faith and fair dealing in adjusting the claim; and asserted a claim for additional property damages, including loss of rental income, due to the delay in adjusting the claim. Pacific West subsequently filed a petition for intervention
DISCUSSION
Louisiana Citizens asserts multiple assignments of error, which can be summarized as follows: (1) the trial court erred in issuing several erroneous evidentiary rulings; (2) the trial court erred in failing to give certain jury instructions; and (3) the trial court failed to reconcile an inconsistent jury verdict. We will discuss each in turn.
Evidentiary Rulings
The parties filed multiple motions in limine prior to trial. On appeal, Louisiana Citizens asserts the trial court‘s rulings on two motions in limine were in error. First, it argues the trial court erred in granting Renola‘s motion in limine excluding evidence of other lawsuits and settlements between Renola and Pacific West.4 Louisiana Citizens maintains that the exclusion of this evidence prevented it from associating Renola‘s underlying financial issues to the current matter.
A trial court has broad discretion when considering evidentiary matters, including motions in limine. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd‘s London v. United States Steel Corp., 2019-1730, p. 1 (La. 1/28/20), 288 So.3d 120, 121. Thus, we are tasked with determining “whether the trial court abused its great discretion in ruling on a motion in limine.” Cooper v. Pub. Belt R.R., 2002-2051, p. 3 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1/22/03), 839 So.2d 181, 183.
Exclusion of Other Lawsuits
Louisiana Citizens asserts that evidence of other lawsuits and settlements between Renola and Pacific West are relevant because it establishes Renola‘s underlying financial situation. “Evidence is relevant if it has any tendency to make the existence of any fact that is of consequence to the determination of the action more probable or less probable than it would be without the evidence.” Despaux v. RSC Equip. Rental Inc., 2017-0765, pp. 2-3 (La.App. 4 Cir. 4/25/18), 246 So.3d 806, 809 (citing
In the case sub judice, the basis of Renola‘s current lawsuit is the extent of damages to its complex as a result of Hurricane Isaac, not a dispute between two named insureds on a policy. The prior lawsuits between Renola and Pacific West are not relevant to the dispute between Louisiana Citizens and Renola on the issue of the contractual obligation regarding the adequacy and timeliness of insurance payments. Furthermore, the prejudicial effect of presenting the jury with evidence of Pacific West and Renola‘s prior lawsuits, which did not involve Louisiana Citizens’ contractual obligation to Renola, outweighs the probative value of the evidence. See Gurley v. Encompass Ins. Co. Of Am., 2007-1477, pp. 3-4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 5/14/08), 985 So.2d 299, 302. Thus, the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the evidence of prior lawsuits and settlements between Renola and Pacific West.
WorldClaim Adjustment Report
Louisiana Citizens argues the trial court erred in allowing evidence from WorldClaim to be admitted because WorldClaim entered into a contingency fee agreement with Renola, which is prohibited under Louisiana law. WorldClaim‘s
A public adjuster is prohibited from entering into a contract with an insured, which provides for a fee that is contingent upon the amount of any claim paid on behalf of the insured by the insurer.
Jury Instruction
Louisiana Citizens argues the trial court erred in not submitting a jury instruction advising the jury of the law between a public adjuster and an insured. Louisiana Citizens maintains that the jurors should have been instructed on the applicability of
In addressing jury instructions, the gravity of the error dictates the applicable standard of review. Seal v. State Farm Fire & Cas. Co., 2000-2375, p. 4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 3/20/02, 816 So.2d 868, 872.7 Jury instructions are reviewed under a manifest error standard of review. Fireman‘s Fund Ins. Co. v. R.S. Homes, LLC, 2019-0621, pp. 3-4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 3/25/20), 294 So.3d 59. “Trial courts are given broad discretion in formulating jury instructions and a trial court judgment should not be reversed so long as the charge correctly states the substance of the law.” Adams v. Rhodia, Inc., 2007-2110, p. 6 (La. 5/21/08), 983 So.2d 798, 804. Thus, “the adequacy of the jury instruction must be determined in the light of jury instructions as a whole... .” Adams, 2007-2110, p. 7, 983 So.2d at 805. In the case sub judice, we will determine if the trial court was manifestly erroneous in omitting the jury instruction.
“A trial judge is only required to give a jury instruction which properly reflects the law that is applicable to the facts of a particular case.” Fireman‘s Fund Ins. Co., 2019-0621, p. 7, 294 So.3d at 61. The record establishes that the jury
Additionally, the trial court‘s exclusion of the jury instruction on
Jury Verdict
Louisiana Citizens challenges the jury verdict on three grounds: (1) the jury erred in finding that Renola satisfactorily demonstrated the damage to the property was a result of Hurricane Isaac; (2) the jury erred in finding Louisiana Citizens arbitrary and capricious by failing to pay Renola within the statutory period; and (3) the jury erred in awarding Renola lost profits.
Our Supreme Court has provided that:
It is well-settled that a court of appeal may not set aside a trial court‘s or a jury‘s finding of fact in the absence of manifest error or unless it is clearly wrong. Blair v. Tynes, 621 So.2d 591, 601 (La. 1993); Rosell v. ESCO, 549 So.2d 840, 844 (La. 1989). To reverse a fact-finder‘s determination, the appellate court must find from the record that a reasonable factual basis does not exist for the finding of the trial court, and that the record establishes that the finding is clearly wrong. Mart v. Hill,
505 So.2d 1120 (La. 1987). Where the jury‘s findings are reasonable, in light of the record viewed in its entirety, the court of appeal my not reverse. Even where the court of appeal is convinced that it would have weighed the evidence differently to reach a different result, reversal of the trial court is improper unless the trial court‘s ruling is manifestly erroneous, or clearly wrong. Blair, supra.
Rabalais v. Nash, 2006-0999, p. 4 (La. 3/9/07), 952 So.2d 653, 657. Applying this legal principle, we will address each in turn.
Satisfactory Proof of Loss
Louisiana Citizens argues that Renola failed to establish satisfactory proof that the damage to the complex was a result of Hurricane Isaac. Additionally, Louisiana Citizens maintains that Renola failed to adequately mitigate its damages.
Satisfactory proof of loss need not be in any particular format, but must include sufficient facts that completely notify the insurer of the extent of the damages. Dudenhefer v. Louisiana Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp., 2019-0387, p. 7 (La.App. 4 Cir. 9/25/19), 280 So.3d 771, 777. The record reflects that WorldClaim provided extensive details of Hurricane Isaac water damage and cost estimates for repairs. WorldClaim began its inspection of the complex on September 1, 2012. Its estimate consisted of four separate reports for each building in the complex and outlined water damage found to be a result of Hurricane Isaac. WorldClaim subsequently recommended a water remediation specialist due to the amount of water that entered the complex through the roof and siding during Hurricane Isaac.
On September 10, 2012, Emergency Services 24, Inc. (hereinafter “ES-24“) performed moisture meter readings and documented the extent of the water damage throughout the complex. The ES-24 report indicated that moisture reading was completed in a majority of the units in each building, with some units being inaccessible. The report noted significant moisture in the floors, walls and ceilings
On November 13, 2012, Renola retained Servpro, a water remediation company, to provide a second opinion regarding the extent of damages to the complex as a result of water intrusion. Servpro inspected the complex on November 14, 2012, concurring with ES-24‘s findings and determining that majority of the units had varying degrees of water damage and the complex required extensive water remediation procedures.
WorldClaim submitted (1) an invoice from ES-24 for the moisture meter reading in the amount of $31,610.00; (2) a tarp proposal in the amount of $16,350.00; (3) a demolition estimate in the amount of $188,509.07; and a water remediation dry out estimate in the amount of $485,199.32. WorldClaim subsequently submitted a “Partial-Sworn Statement in Proof of Loss” to Louisiana Citizens outlining the estimates of repairs to the complex based on its assessment of damages as of November 20, 2012. Based on the record before this Court, we find Renola presented satisfactory proof of loss to Louisiana Citizens.
In addressing Louisiana Citizens’ argument that it failed to mitigate its damages, Renola asserts that it could not mitigate the damage to the complex because of Louisiana Citizens’ failure to tender adequate payment.
Jeffrey Castellaw, director of PVCA and Renola, testified that it was not reasonable to begin remediation measures on the property after Hurricane Isaac because it would have been expensive, and Louisiana Citizens had not provided adequate money in order to begin the process. Renola and Louisiana Citizens were in a constant dispute over the extent of the damage. Renola maintains that water damage was a result of wind blowing water during Hurricane Isaac, causing it to enter the walls of the buildings. Conversely, Louisiana Citizens’ position is that Hurricane Isaac did not cause all of the water damage asserted by Renola. Both parties had multiple inspections of the complex completed but still disagreed on the extent of the damage.
The record reflects that WorldClaim emailed Louisiana Citizens on September 14, 2012, requesting approval to tarp the buildings in order to prevent further damage. WorldClaim advised that due to recent storms, moisture levels were elevated due to the lack of exterior sheathing and roof tiles. The adjuster for Louisiana Citizens responded on September 15, 2012, advising that he did not have the authority to allow “any repairs or mitigation” and that due to the large deductibles, “mitigation may not leave enough funds to do all the repairs.” Renola‘s initial attempts to mitigate the damage were prevented by Louisiana Citizens’ failure to provide authority to move forward with repairs or mitigation.
Based on the foregoing, a reasonable factual basis exists for the jury‘s findings.
Bad Faith Penalties
“[T]he determination of whether an insurer acted in bad faith turns on the facts and circumstances of each case, because a prerequisite to any recovery under the statute is a finding that the insurer not only acted (or failed to act) but did so arbitrarily, capriciously, and without probable cause.” Maloney Cinque, L.L.C. v. Pac. Ins. Co., Ltd., 2011-0787, p. 12 (La.App. 4 Cir. 1/25/12), 89 So.3d 12, 22. “As this determination is largely factual, great deference is accorded to the trier of fact.” Id. (citing Smith v. Anderson, 1995-2057, p. 9 (La. 9/5/96), 679 So.2d 372, 377).
Louisiana Citizens argues that Renola did not establish it acted in bad faith by failing to pay the claim within either the thirty-day or sixty-day statutory period.8 It maintains that the claim was not timely paid because Louisiana Citizens and Renola disagreed on the scope of the loss. Thus, Louisiana Citizens asserts, the jury erred in finding it arbitrary and capricious and awarding bad faith penalties to Renola.
Louisiana Citizens began its initial inspection of the property on September 10, 2012. Louisiana Citizens did not agree with scope of the damage as asserted by Renola. After multiple inspections, Louisiana Citizens issued the following payments in November 2012: (1) $18,160.26; (2) $10,722.35; (3) $9,512.04; and (4) $10,135.59 for wind damage to the complex as a result of Hurricane Isaac.
On November 28, 2012, Louisiana Citizens rejected the partial proof of loss submitted on behalf of Renola. Louisiana Citizens retained Rimkus, engineering experts, to further inspect the property. Multiple subsequent inspections of the property continued through 2013, with different insurance adjusters representing
January 2013: $15,641.80, $7,543.28, $29,595.14, and $21,724.89;
April 2013: $10,583.80;
May 2013: $11,555.60, $585.53, and $10,397.11;
October 2014: $5,911.27 and $6,406.36.
In order to obtain penalties for bad faith handling of a claim, a party must establish that: (1) the insured received satisfactory proof of loss; (2) the insurer failed to pay the claim within the applicable statutory period; and (3) the failure to pay was arbitrary, capricious and without probable cause. Aghighi v. Louisiana Citizens Prop. Ins. Corp., 2012-1096, p. 4 (La.App. 4 Cir. 6/19/13), 119 So.3d 930, 933.
Having already determined that Renola established satisfactory proof of loss, we turn to the whether the insurer failed to pay the claim within the applicable statutory period. “An insurer‘s actions are found to be arbitrary, capricious, or without probable cause when its refusal to pay is unjustified.” Dudenhefer, 2019-0387, p. 7, 280 So.3d at 777. It is undisputed that Louisiana Citizens did not pay the claim within the applicable statutory period. However, it maintains the claim was not paid timely because the extent of the damages were in dispute. During the initial stages of the claims process, Louisiana Citizens informed Renola that it disputed Renola‘s estimate of damages. Specifically regarding the water damage to the complex. The record reflects that Renola took multiple steps to demonstrate to Louisiana Citizens that there was damage to the complex as a result of water intrusion from Hurricane Isaac.
Loss of Profits
Louisiana Citizens asserts the jury erred in awarding $810,000.00 in loss of rental income to Renola because the property was losing income before Hurricane Isaac occurred. “As a general rule ‘damages for loss of profits may not be based on speculation and conjecture; however, such damages need be proven only within reasonable certainty.‘” Breton Sound Oyster Co. LLC v. Stiel Ins. Co. of New Orleans Inc., 2017-0955, p. 14 (La.App. 4 Cir. 12/12/18), 299 So.3d 80, 90 (quoting Maloney, 2011-0787, p. 18, 89 So.3d at 25). “Broad latitude is given in proving lost profits because this element of damages is often difficult to prove and mathematical certainty or precision is not required.” Id.
At the time of Hurricane Isaac, Renola‘s property consisted of 13 rental units. Renola submits that it lost rental income because St. Bernard Parish condemned the property, due to the saturation of the electrical system, and the property was uninhabitable and no longer rentable. Richard Murphy, Renola‘s real estate appraisal expert, testified that he conducted an “as-is” appraisal of the property in 2014 and determined that the complex was valued at $555,000.00. Mr. Murphy stated that he also conducted a “retrospective” appraisal of the property as if it were in pre-Hurricane Isaac condition. Utilizing a 2010 valuation date, Mr. Murphy opined that the property, in good condition, would be worth $3,280,000.00. In calculating this appraisal, Mr. Murphy testified that he used
Mr. Murphy further testified that he conducted an appraisal in 2019 to determine the value of the property if it had been rebuilt after Hurricane Isaac and re-entered into commerce. He used an income approach to evaluate the property by determining rental amounts for each unit, considering comparable apartment complexes and deducting necessary expenses. Utilizing this valuation method, Mr. Murphy determined the income value of the property was $3,830,000.00.9
Mr. Murphy also conducted an analysis of the potential annual net earnings of the complex based on the number of rentable units. He opined that, based on a ninety percent occupancy rate, Renola‘s net rental income totaled $354,395.00 annually. Approximately two years elapsed between the filing of Renola‘s initial claim and the final remittance of payment by Louisiana Citizens. Thus, the jury‘s award of $810,000.00 is supported by the evidence and will not be disturbed upon review.
For the aforementioned reasons, we find a reasonable basis exists for the jury‘s findings.
PVCA, Renola and Pacific West‘s Answer to Appeal
Through their answer to Louisiana Citizens’ appeal, Appellees, PVCA, Renola and Pacific West, seek review of the jury‘s award for additional property damage/total loss of the buildings and the 50% bad faith penalty. Appellees also seek attorney‘s fees and costs associated with the current appeal.
Additional Property Damage and Bad Faith Award
Appellees maintain the jury erred in not awarding additional property damage despite awarding loss of rental income. They argue it is inconsistent for the jury to award $810,000.00 for loss of rental income and award nothing for additional property damage/total loss of the buildings. Appellees also assert that the jury erred in only penalizing Louisiana Citizens 50% for failing to timely adjust the claim.
A damages award will only be disturbed on appeal where there is a clear abuse of the trier of fact‘s discretion. Waingwright v. Fontenot, 2000-0492, p. 6 (La. 10/17/00), 774 So.2d 70, 74. In the case sub judice, we find no abuse of discretion in the jury‘s failure to award additional property damages. The record reflects sufficient evidence for the jury to determine that the compensable damage to Renola was the loss of rental income. The jury determined that Louisiana Citizens failed to timely tender $1,143,184.00 to Renola after presenting satisfactory proof of loss. Thus, the jury awarded actual damages for property loss. Specifically, the question posed to the jury was “[w]hat additional damages did the Plaintiffs suffer as a result of Citizens Insurance‘s breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing?” The jury concluded that the “additional damage” was the actual loss of rental income. Based on the record before this Court, we find the jury did not abuse its broad discretion in awarding loss of rental income for additional damages. Thus, we find no inconsistency between the jury‘s refusal to award additional property damages and its award for loss of rental income
Likewise, we find a reasonable factual basis exists for the jury‘s bad faith penalty award.
Attorney‘s Fees
Appellees request attorney‘s fees and costs associated with defending this appeal. It is well settled that,
[A]ttorney fees [are] usually awarded where a party who was awarded attorney fees by the trial court is forced to and successfully defends an appeal. The award of additional attorney fees is to keep the appellate judgment consistent with the underlying judgment. To determine the amount of attorney fees, factors that are considered include “the skill exercised by the attorney and the time and work required on appeal.”
Maldonado v. Cannizzaro, 2018-0177, p. 14 (La.App. 4 Cir. 10/10/18), 257 So.3d 733, 743, writ denied, 2018-1749 (La. 1/8/19), 260 So.3d 591 (quoting State of Louisiana Dept. of Transp. & Develop. v. Monteleone, 2011-1013, p. 34 (La.App. 5 Cir. 11/13/12), 106 So.3d 153, 174); See also Gloria‘s Ranch, L.L.C. v. Tauren Expl., Inc., 2017-1518, 2017-1519, 2017-1522, p. 23 (La. 6/27/18), 252 So.3d 431, 446.
Although Appellees have successfully defended this appeal, we find the record before this Court insufficient to determine an appropriate amount of attorney‘s fees. Additionally, the record reflects that on November 13, 2019, the parties stipulated that all matters related to attorney‘s fees and costs would be reserved to a post-trial contradictory hearing. Accordingly, we decline to award attorney‘s fees for this appeal.
DECREE
Accordingly, we affirm the judgment of the trial court and deny the relief requested in Appellees’ answer to appeal.
AFFIRMED
