Mendota Insurance v. Hurst (965 F. Supp. 1282, 1997)

MEMORANDUM AND ORDER

LAUGHREY, District Judge.

Pending before the Court is Plaintiff Mendota Insurance Company’s (“Mendota”) Motion for Summary Judgment, together with Suggestions in Support, filed on November 4, 1996. Defendant Tina Hurst (“Ms. Hurst”) and Defendant Steven Jenkins (“Mr. Jenkins”) filed Suggestions in Opposition, to which Mendota filed Reply Suggestions. After due consideration of the above, and for the reasons set forth below, Plaintiffs Motion is granted in part, and the remaining prayers for judgment set forth in Mendota’s Complaint are dismissed,

I. Summary Judgment Standard

A moving party is entitled to summary judgment “if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” Fed.R.Civ.P. 56(c). When considering a motion for summary judgment, a court must scrutinize the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party and the non-moving party “must be given the benefit of all reasonable inferences.” Mirax Chem. Prod. Corp. v. First Interstate Commercial Corp., 950 F.2d 566, 569 (8th Cir.1991) (citation omitted). If the moving party meets its burden of proof, the burden shifts to the non-moving party who must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial to defeat the motion for summary judgment. . Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 2510, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986).

With these principles in mind, the Court turns to an examination of the facts.

II. Factual Background

Pursuant to Local Rule 13(G), Mendota’s Suggestions in Support begin with separately numbered paragraphs of concise statements of uncontroverted facts. Each fact is supported by reference to a specific part of the record where the fact is established. Rule 13(G) requires Ms. Hurst and Mr. Jenkins to specifically list the facts they contend are in dispute, and to “refer specifically to those portions of the record upon which [he/ she] relies.” Mr. Jenkins’ Opposition complies with the local rule, however, Ms. Hurst’s Opposition does not. Although Ms. Hurst denies the vast majority of the uncontroverted facts set forth by Mendota, not one of her denials is supported by record citation, affidavit or otherwise. Accordingly, pursuant to Rule 13(G)(1), for purposes of summary judgment, Ms. Hurst is deemed to have admitted each of Mendota’s uncontroverted facts. Such uncontroverted facts, together with any uncontroverted facts set forth in Ms. Hurst’s Suggestions in Opposition and/or in Mr. Jenkins’ Suggestions in Opposition, form the basis of the Court’s understanding of the factual background of this ease.

This matter arises out of an automobile accident that occurred on May 22,1993. The accident involved cars driven by Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Hurst. Mr. Hurst, Gary Hurst, Jr., and Matthew Hurst were passengers in the car driven by Ms. Hurst. Mr. Hurst was killed in the accident and Gary Hurst, Jr., Matthew Hurst and Ms. Hurst each suffered bodily injuries. At the time of the accident, Mr. Jenkins was covered by an automobile insurance policy issued by Plaintiff Mendota. The insurance policy covered bodily injuries up to $25,000 per person and contained a $50,000 per occurrence limitation. [Pl.’s Ex. U

On May 27, 1993, Mr. Andrew Gelbaeh, counsel for the Hursts, wrote a letter to the adjusting company hired by Mendota to investigate the accident. [Pl.’s Ex. 2.] The letter provided in relevant part, as follows:

In accordance with Missouri Revised Statute 408.040, this letter is a formal demand for payment of the policy limits of all liability insurance coverages that apply to this ease. My willingness to recommend a policy limits settlement with my clients is conditioned upon the above events occurring and this documentation being provided to me timely. My willingness to recommend a policy limits settlement is open for 60 days from the date of this letter.

[Pl.’s Ex. 2.] Additionally, the letter sets forth that Mr. Gelbach’s willingness to recommend a policy limits settlement was conditioned upon the production of variousdocuments and information, including the following: letters verifying total liability coverage and ownership of the vehicle, certified copies of the insurance policies, copies of Mr. Jenkins’ certificate of title, federal and state income tax returns, net worth statements, payroll checks and/or income records, and an affidavit stating how the accident occurred, and where and what alcohol Mr. Jenkins had consumed prior to the accident. [PL’s Ex. 2.] Mr. Gelbach’s recommendation was further conditioned upon his being able to take the sworn statement of. Mr. Jenkins within 60 days. [PL’s Ex. 2.]

Mendota received the May 27 letter on or about May 28, 1993, and immediately instructed its insurance adjuster to forward a copy of the letter to Mr. Jenkins’ personal attorney, Mr. Michael Fitzgerald. Upon Mendota’s receipt of the letter, Mendota undertook to provide the information within its control, including a certified copy of the insurance policy and a verification of the total insurance coverage available. Mendota, through Mr. Fitzgerald, requested that Mr. Jenkins provide the remaining information demanded in the May 27 letter.

On June 8, 1993, Mr. Gelbaeh sent a letter to the adjuster requesting that Mendota pay Mr. Hurst’s medical and funeral expenses and the medical expenses of the Hurst family members. [PL’s Ex. 6.] Shortly thereafter, on June 14, 1993, Mendota sent Mr. Gelbaeh a certified copy of the insurance policy and informed Mr. Gelbaeh that the requested information relating to Mr. Jenkins and his personal assets would have to be obtained directly from Mr. Fitzgerald. [PL’s Ex. 7.] The letter further stated as follows:

We will not be disputing coverage in this matter. I understand that this will be an obvious payment of our policy limits for the death of Gary Hurst, Sr.; however, I am requesting from you a copy of any medical records or documentation you have supporting the injuries suffered by his wife and children.

[PL’s Ex. 7.] Mr. Gelbaeh did not provide Mendota with any documentation as to the bodily injury claims before the expiration of the 60 day period established in Mr. Gelbach’s May 27,1993 letter. Additionally, Mr. Jenkins did not demand that Mendota settle the wrongful death claim or the bodily injury claims within policy limits within the 60 day time period.

On July 27, 1993, a wrongful death suit was filed against Mr. Jenkins in state court for the death of Mr. Hurst. [PL’s Ex. 10.] Pursuant to the insurance policy, Mendota appointed counsel to represent Mr. Jenkins in the lawsuit. The settlement negotiations between the parties continued, however, no settlement was ever reached. [Pl.’s Exs. 11-16, and 18.] On September 28, 1994, the wrongful death case proceeded to trial and the jury entered a verdict for $850,000 against Mr. Jenkins. Pursuant to Mo.Rev. Stat. § 408.040, the Court awarded $90,-128.35 in prejudgment interest to the Hursts. The Missouri Court of Appeals affirmed the prejudgment interest award, finding that Mr. Jenkins had, in his Answer, judicially admitted that a proper demand for settlement of the wrongful death claim was made. See Hurst v. Jenkins, 908 S.W.2d 783, 786 (Mo.App.1995). Mendota paid into the state court its $25,000 policy limits on the wrongful death judgment and paid the accrued prejudgment interest.

In October 1994, Mr. Gelbach and Mr. Fitzgerald both made formal demands that Mendota pay the entire $850,000 judgment in the wrongful death action. [Pl.’s Exs. 20 and 21.] Such demands were based upon allegations of inappropriate conduct and/or bad faith on the part of Mendota. Thereafter, Ms. Hurst, Gary Hurst, Jr., and Matthew Hurst each filed separate lawsuits in state court for the injuries they allegedly sustained in the accident. In each of the suits, the Hursts requested pre-judgment interest pursuant to Mo.Rev.Stat. § 408.040, and in each of his Answers, Mr. Jenkins denied a proper settlement demand was made.

On February 21, 1996, Mendota filed the instant case. By Order dated August 15, 1996, the Court dismissed Mendota’s inter-pleader claim set forth in Count I of its Complaint based upon a lack of subject matter jurisdiction. In Count II, Mendota seeks the following declaration from the Court: (1) that it did not act in bad faith in handling the wrongful death action or the Hursts’ bodily injury claims; (2) that Mendota has no obligation to pay any additional sums in connection with the judgment in the wrongful death action; and (3) that Mendota has no obligation to pay any amount in connection with the bodily injury claims in excess of $25,000. In Count III, Mendota seeks a judgment against all Defendants, declaring the following: (1) that the May 27, 1993, letter written by Mr. Gelbach was not a proper demand for settlement of the Hursts’ bodily injury claims pursuant to Mo.Rev.Stat. § 408.040; (2) that Mendota does not owe any prejudgment interest to the Hursts on their bodily injury claims; and (3) that Mendota has no obligation to pay any additional sums on the Hursts’ bodily injury claims in excess of the remaining policy limits. Mendota’s claims for declaratory relief set forth in Counts II and III of the Complaint are still pending before this Court.

III. Analysis

A. Standards in Declaratory Judgment Actions

“It is well established that the Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201, granted the federal courts discretion ‘to make a declaration of rights; it did not impose a duty to do so.’ ” Alsager v. District Court of Polk County Iowa, Juv. Div., 518 F.2d 1160, 1163-64 (8th Cir.1975) (quoting Public Affairs Assoc., Inc. v. Rickover, 369 U.S. 111, 112, 82 S.Ct. 580, 581-582, 7 L.Ed.2d 604 (1962)). In determining whether or not declaratory relief is proper under a certain set of circumstances, the Court looks to: (1) whether the declaratory judgment will serve a useful purpose in clarifying and settling the legal issues between the parties; and (2) whether a declaratory judgment will afford relief from uncertainty, insecurity and controversy. Id. “It follows that when neither of these results can be accomplished, the court should decline to render the declaration prayed.” Id.

In order for the Court to issue a declaratory judgment, “there must be a dispute which ‘calls, not for an advisory opinion upon a hypothetical basis, but for an adjudication of present right upon established facts.’ ” Ashcroft v. Mattis, 431 U.S. 171, 172, 97 S.Ct. 1739, 1740, 52 L.Ed.2d 219 (1977) (quoting Aetna Life Ins. Co. v. Haworth, 300 U.S. 227, 242, 57 S.Ct. 461, 465, 81 L.Ed. 617 (1937)).

Mendota bears the burden of proof on its claims for declaratory relief set forth in Counts II and III. Reliance Life Ins. Co. v. Burgess, 112 F.2d 234, 237-38 (8th Cir.), cert. denied 311 U.S. 699, 61 S.Ct. 137, 85 L.Ed. 453 (1940).

A. Count II — Declaratory Judgment As To Whether Mendota Acted In Bad Faith

In Count II, Mendota seeks declaratory relief against Mr. Jenkins relating to any alleged bad faith on the part of Mendota in the handling of either the wrongful death or the bodily injury cases. Mendota requests that the Court declare the following: (1) that Mendota did not act in bad faith in handling the wrongful death case or the Hursts’ bodily injury claims; (2) that Mendota has no obligation to pay any additional sums in connection with the judgment in the wrongful death case; and (3) that Mendota has no obligation to pay any amount in connection with the bodily injury claims in excess of $25,000. [Compl. at pp. 22-23.]

The Court initially finds that an actual controversy exists as to whether Mendota acted in bad faith in handling the wrongful death action. As set forth above, both Mr. Gelbach and Mr. Fitzgerald demanded in writing that Mendota pay the entire $850,000 judgment in the wrongful death case. [Pl.’s Exs. 20 and 21.] In particular, Mr. Fitzgerald’s letter stated as follows:

The purpose of this letter is to demand that Northland/Mendota Insurance Company pay the $850,000 verdict plus interest and costs which have been assessed against Steven E. Jenkins as a result of the Cass County jury trial. Had the insurance company conducted its affairs in this matter in good faith, Steve Jenkins would not now be exposed to this verdict.

[Pl.’s Ex. 21.] Additionally, since the settlement negotiations of the wrongful death claim and the bodily injury claims are rooted in the same May 27,1993 demand letter, and because the Hursts have claimed an entitlement to pre-judgment interest in their bodily injury eases, there is uncertainty as to whether Mendota has any obligation to pay any additional amounts in connection with the judgments entered in the bodily injury cases. The Court finds that rendering a declaratory judgment on the issue of whether Mendota acted in bad faith in handling the bodily injury cases will clarify and settle the legal issues between the parties.

The Court begins its examination of the allegations of bad faith by focusing upon Mendota’s Complaint and Mr. Jenkins’ Answer. Under Count 11 of its Complaint, Mendota pled the following:

70. [Mendota] acted reasonably and in good faith in responding to the Hursts’ counsel’s conditional settlement recommendations, in requesting pertinent medical information and records from which to evaluate the bodily injury claims and in tendering payment of the applicable policy limits for the wrongful death claim.

71. - [Mendota’s] conduct did not proximately cause or result in the entry of judgment against Jenkins in excess of applicable policy limits.

[Compl. at ¶¶ 70-71.] In Mr. Jenkins’ Answer, Mr. Jenkins admitted both of these allegations. [Jenkins’ Ans. at ¶ 8.] “As a rule, ‘admissions in the pleadings ... are in the nature of judicial admissions ■ binding upon the parties, unless withdrawn or amended.’ ” Missouri Housing Dev. Com’n v. Brice, 919 F.2d 1306, 1314 (8th Cir.1990) (quoting Scott v. Comm’r of Internal Revenue, 117 F.2d 36, 40 (8th Cir.1941)). Such judicial admissions may even serve as the basis of granting summary judgment against the party making the admission. Id. at 1315 (citation omitted).

Mr. Jenkins has neither sought to amend nor withdraw his Answer. Accordingly, although such admissions may be inconsistent with any prior allegations made by Mr. Jenkins himself or his counsel, Mr. Jenkins is deemed to have admitted the above facts. Such admissions are consistent with Mr. Jenkins’ Opposition to Mendota’s Motion for Summary Judgment, wherein Mr. Jenkins stated that “[w]ith respect to the wrongful death claim, this is not a case where settlement negotiations were unsuccessful due to bad faith on the part of Mendota.” [Jenkins’ Opp. at p. 5.]

Accordingly, based upon Mr. Jenkins’ judicial admissions, Mendota is entitled to summary judgment as to any claim that Mendota acted in bad faith in connection with the May 27,1998, letter or in tendering the applicable policy limits in the wrongful death case. Mendota is further entitled to summary judgment as to any claim that Mendota’s conduct caused or resulted in the verdict in excess of the policy limits in the wrongful death case.

Turning to the issues surrounding the bodily injury cases, in its Motion, Mendota argues that there is simply no evidence of bad faith. The elements of a cause of action against a liability insurer for bad faith refusal to settle a claim are:

(1) the liability insurer has assumed control over negotiation,' settlement, and legal proceedings brought against the insured;

(2) the insured has demanded that the insurer settle the claim brought against the insured;

(3) the insurer refuses to settle the claim within the liability limits of the policy; and

(4) in so refusing, the insurer acts in bad faith, rather than negligently.

State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Metcalf, by Wade, 861 S.W.2d 751, 756 (Mo.App.1993).

In the instant case, the only evidence before this Court relating to a proposal by the Hursts to settle the bodily injury claims within policy limits is the May 27, 1993, letter. As set forth above, Mr. Jenkins has judicially admitted that Mendota acted in good faith in responding to such letter. All of the other settlement demands contained in the documents submitted to the Court were in excess of applicable policy limits. [Pl.’s Exs. 25 and 30.] Accordingly, there is no evidence before this Court that would satisfy the third element of a bad faith claim. Additionally, with respect to the fourth element, there is no evidence of bad faith on the part of Mendota with respect to the handling of the bodily injury claims.

Plaintiff Mendota has met its burden of proof in demonstrating a lack of any evidence to support a claim of bad faith in the handling of the Hursts’ bodily injury claims. Mr. Jenkins, in his Opposition, has failed to put forth any evidence showing that there is a genuine issue for trial on this issue. Accordingly, as to Count II, Mendota is entitled to summary judgment on its request for a declaration that Mendota did not act in bad faith in handling the Hursts’ bodily injury claims.

To the extent Mendota seeks a declaration from this Court that it has no obligation to pay any money in addition to the amounts it has already paid in connection with either the wrongful death ease or the bodily injury cases, this Court refuses to enter a declaratory judgment. [