31 Ohio St. 3d 65 | Ohio | 1987
Lead Opinion
The threshold issue presented by this appeal is whether Hartford’s insurance policy provides coverage for the claims asserted against Wedge by its employees. For the reasons that follow, we find that there is no coverage.
In Blankenship v. Cincinnati Milacron Chemicals (1982), 69 Ohio St. 2d 608, 23 O.O. 3d 504, 433 N.E. 2d 572, we held that neither the Ohio Constitution nor the workers’ compensation laws preclude an employee from enforcing common-law remedies against his employer for an intentional tort. In Jones v. VIP Development Co. (1984), 15 Ohio St. 3d 90, 15 OBR 246, 472 N.E. 2d 1046, paragraph one of the syllabus, we defined the term “intentional tort”:
“An intentional tort is an act committed with the intent to injure another, or committed with the belief that such injury is substantially certain to occur.”
We further explained: “Thus, a specific intent to injure is not an essential element of an intentional tort where the actor proceeds despite a perceived threat of harm to others which is substantially certain, not merely likely, to occur. It is this element of substantial certainty which distinguishes a merely negligent act from intentionally tortious conduct. * * *” (Emphasis sic.) 15 Ohio St. 3d at 95, 15 OBR at 250, 472 N.E. 2d at 1051.
The Jones definition of an “intentional tort” consists of a two-prong test. If a tortfeasor commits an act with (1) the intent to injure another or
Applying this test to the intentional tort allegations contained in Pariseau’s and Walls’ complaints, we are unable to discern any possibility of coverage under the policy issued to Wedge by Hartford. The policy covers bodily injuries “neither expected nor intended” by Wedge. Under the Jones test an intentional tort by Wedge must necessarily involve either an intent to injure or a belief that injury is substantially certain to occur. Clearly, no coverage is provided if Wedge intended to injure Pariseau and Walls. More importantly, we are unable to see how Wedge could have committed any acts with the belief that Pariseau or Walls were substantially certain to be injured, yet not have “expected” such injuries to occur.
Moreover, public policy is contrary to insurance against intentional torts. Blankenship, supra, at 615, 23 O.O. 3d at 509, 433 N.E. 2d at 577; Rothman v. Metropolitan Cas. Ins. Co. (1938), 134 Ohio St. 241, at 246, 12 O.O. 50, at 52, 16 N.E. 2d 417, at 420; Portaro v. American Guarantee & Liability Ins. Co. (N.D. Ohio 1962), 210 F. Supp. 411, 22 O.O. 2d 348, affirmed (C.A. 6, 1962), 310 F. 2d 897, 22 O.O. 2d 354.
Therefore, we hold that an intentional tort allegedly committed by an employer against its employee is not covered by an insurance policy which provides protection for bodily injuries “neither expected nor intended” by the employer.
Additionally, the insurance contract in the case sub judice provides no coverage for claims by the employees which arise out of and in the course of their employment. By this provision, a claim which does not rise to the level of intentional tort is excluded.
Because there is no possibility of coverage under the policy for either of the actions filed against Wedge, it follows that Hartford has no duty to defend those actions. Motorists Mut. Ins. Co. v. Trainor (1973), 33 Ohio St. 2d 41, 62 O.O. 2d 402, 294 N.E. 2d 874; Socony-Vacuum Oil Co. v. Continental Cas. Co. (1945), 144 Ohio St. 382, 29 O.O. 563, 59 N.E. 2d 199.
We are mindful of our decision in Willoughby Hills v. Cincinnati Ins. Co. (1984), 9 Ohio St. 3d 177, 9 OBR 463, 459 N.E. 2d 555, syllabus, wherein we held: “Where the insurer’s duty to defend is not apparent from the pleadings in the action against the insured, but the allegations do state a claim which is potentially or arguably within the policy coverage, or there is some doubt as to whether á theory of recovery within the policy
As in Willoughby Hills, Hartford’s policy states that its duty to defend exists “even if any of the allegations of the suit are groundless, false or fraudulent * * *.” Willoughby Hills, however, does not require a defense where the complaint contains no allegation that states a claim “potentially or arguably within the policy coverage.” There is no doubt here. No theory of recovery within the policy coverage has been pleaded, regardless of whether the allegations are true, false, fraudulent or groundless. Thus, Hartford has no duty to defend either action. See Zanco, Inc. v. Michigan Mut. Ins. Co. (1984), 11 Ohio St. 3d 114, 11 OBR 413, 464 N.E. 2d 513.
Accordingly, we reverse the judgment of the court of appeals and remand the cause to the trial court for entry of judgment in favor of Hartford.
Judgment reversed and cause remanded.
This intent or belief may be inferred from the tortfeasor’s conduct and the surrounding circumstances. Jones, supra, at 95, 9 OBR at 250, 472 N.E. 2d at 1051; see, also, Davis v. Tunison (1959), 168 Ohio St. 471, 7 O.O. 2d 296, 155 N.E. 2d 904, paragraph two of the syllabus.
Pariseau and Walls cannot recover from Wedge on claims not rising to the level of intentional tort. See Section 35, Article II of the Ohio Constitution and R.C. 4123.74. Cf. Blankenship, supra.
The parties do not dispute the propriety of declaratory judgment as a proper form of action. Under our holding this term in Preferred Risk Ins. Co. v. Gill (1987), 30 Ohio St. 3d 108, 30 OBR 424, 507 N.E. 2d 1118, it is clear that declaratory judgment is an appropriate means by which to resolve the issues presented in this case.
Concurrence in Part
concurring in part and dissenting in part. I agree that the appellant insurer has no duty to indemnify appellee Wedge Products in the event of an adverse judgment. However, I emphatically disagree with the majority’s holding that appellant has no duty to defend under these facts. In my view, this holding directly conflicts with our very recent decision in Preferred Risk Ins. Co. v. Gill (1987), 30 Ohio St. 3d 108, 30 OBR 424, 507 N.E. 2d 1118. We held therein that:
“Where the insurer does not agree to defend groundless, false or fraudulent claims, an insurer’s duty to defend does not depend solely on the allegations of the underlying tort complaint. Absent such an agreement, the insurer has no duty to defend or indemnify its insured where the insurer demonstrates in good faith in the declaratory judgment action that*69 the act of the insured was intentional and therefore outside the policy-coverage.” (Emphasis added.) Id. at paragraph two of the syllabus.
It is clear from the foregoing that the insurer will be relieved of its duty to defend upon a showing that the conduct complained of was outside coverage only where the insurer has not agreed to defend groundless, false or fraudulent claims. However, if the insurer has agreed to defend such groundless claims, it follows that the insurer cannot avoid its obligation to defend by showing that the conduct was outside coverage. In such a case, the insurer has represented to its insured that it will undertake the defense of any claim regardless of the true facts.
An examination of the relevant insurance policy in the instant cause brings forth the following provision:
“[T]he company [appellant] shall have the right and duty to defend any suit against the insured seeking damages on account of such bodily injury or property .damage, even if any of the allegations of the suit are groundless, false or fraudulent * * *. ” (Emphasis added.)
Appellant agreed by this provision to assume the defense of any unfounded claim asserted against its insured. Appellee’s insurance premiums no doubt reflected the cost of obtaining such a promise from appellant. To release appellant from its duty to defend in this case is not only fundamentally unfair, it is contrary to the language of the policy and to our holding in Preferred Risk, supra.
Accordingly, I concur in the reversal of the judgment of the court of appeals to the extent that it imposed on appellant a duty to indemnify appellee in the event of an adverse judgment. However, I would affirm the appellate court’s holding that appellant has an obligation to defend appellee on both claims.
