Flynn v. United Contractors Ins. Co. CA4/1 (2014) · DecisionDepot
Flynn v. United Contractors Ins. Co. CA4/1
California Court of Appeal Jun 2, 2014 No. D062915Unpublished
Filed 6/2/14 Flynn v. United Contractors Ins. Co. CA4/1 NOT TO BE PUBLISHED IN OFFICIAL REPORTS California Rules of Court, rule 8.1115(a), prohibits courts and parties from citing or relying on opinions not certified for publication or ordered published, except as specified by rule 8.1115(b). This opinion has not been certified for publication or ordered published for purposes of rule 8.1115.
COURT OF APPEAL, FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION ONE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
JOHN FLYNN, D062915
Plaintiff and Appellant,
v. (Super. Ct. No. 37-2010-00060875-CU-IC-NC) UNITED CONTRACTORS INSURANCE COMPANY,
Defendant and Respondent.
APPEAL from a judgment of the Superior Court of San Diego County, Timothy
M. Casserly, Judge. Affirmed
John K. Saur for Plaintiff and Appellant.
Archer Norris, William Eric Blumhardt, Namvar A. Mokri and Daniel J.
McKenzie for Defendant and Respondent.
I.
INTRODUCTION
Appellant John Flynn, doing business as Flynn Company (Flynn), appeals from a
judgment entered in favor of defendant United Contractors Insurance Company (United
Contractors) after the trial court granted United Contractors's motion for summary
judgment. United Contractors provided a general liability insurance policy to Flynn
between June 1, 2006 and June 1, 2007. During the policy period and for a period of
time after the policy period ended, Flynn worked as a subcontractor providing glass and
glazing work for the doors and windows on a residential project for which Oakhurst
Builders was the general contractor. Later, Oakhurst Builders sued Flynn as a result of
Flynn's work on the project.
In response to a tender of the Oakhurst Builders complaint, United Contractors
declined to defend Flynn against the action and denied coverage for the claims asserted in
the complaint. Flynn brought this action against United Contractors, asserting that
United Contractors owed Flynn a defense. United Contractors moved for summary
judgment, which the trial court granted in full, relying on the ground that an "ongoing
operations" exclusion in Flynn's policy relieved United Contractors of any duty to defend
or indemnify Flynn with respect to the claims asserted in the Oakhurst Builders litigation.
On appeal, Flynn contends that the trial court erred in relying on the "ongoing
operations" exclusion. Specifically, Flynn asserts that this exclusion was not
" 'conspicuous, plain, and clear' " (quoting Haynes v. Farmers Ins. Exchange (2004) 32
Cal.4th 1198, 1204), and is thus unenforceable. Flynn also argues that the "ongoing
2
operations" exclusion, when given the interpretation proposed by United Contractors,
creates what amounts to illusory insurance coverage, because under that interpretation
there would be virtually no coverage for any property damage at all, in view of the one-
year policy period.
In response, United Contractors defends the enforceability of the "ongoing
operations" exclusion on which the trial court relied, and also contends that the trial court
could have relied on any number of other exclusions that demonstrate conclusively that
there was no coverage under the policy for the damages sought by Oakhurst Builders in
its complaint against Flynn, and, thus, that United Contractors did not have a duty to
defend or indemnify Flynn with respect to that action.
We conclude that no duty to defend (or ultimately indemnify) arose under the
Oakhurst Builders complaint because the damages sought in that complaint are excluded
from coverage under Flynn's general liability insurance policy. Given our conclusion that
there was no possibility of coverage, and, therefore, no duty to defend, the trial court did
not err in entering judgment in favor of United Contractors on Flynn's complaint in this
action.
II.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
A. Factual background
1. The project and complaint against Flynn
Oakhurst Builders was the general contractor on a residential construction project
located in La Jolla, California. Pursuant to a subcontract entered into in August 2006,
3
Oakhurst Builders retained Flynn to supply the glass, perform the glazing work, and
install the windows and doors for the project. Flynn began work on the project in March
2007 and continued to work on the project into May 2008.
In December 2009, Oakhurst Builders filed a complaint against Flynn arising from
Flynn's work on the project. The complaint asserted five causes of action, including
breach of contract, negligence, express indemnity, implied contractual indemnity, and
contribution. The complaint generally alleged that Flynn had breached the contract
between Oakhurst Builders and Flynn by failing to perform as required under the
contract, including by failing to follow the plans and specifications as required under the
contract.
Under the second cause of action for negligence, Oakhurst Builders alleged that
Flynn failed to use reasonable care in selecting, installing and assembling the glass and
related glazing work, and that, as a proximate result, some of the glass and related work
was defective and failed, requiring its repair and replacement, including demolition of
areas surrounding Flynn's defective work. Oakhurst Builders further claimed that as a
proximate result of Flynn's defective work, it had incurred costs to investigate and repair
the subject property, and also incurred the loss of use of the property.
2. The insurance policy
Flynn was insured under a general liability policy (the Policy) issued by United
Contractors for the period between June 1, 2006 to June 1, 2007.
In describing the coverage provided under the Policy, the Policy states:
4
"We will pay those sums that the Named Insured becomes legally obligated to pay as Tort Damages because of Bodily Injury or Property Damage to which this insurance applies. We have the right and duty to defend the Named Insured against any Suit seeking Tort Damages. However, we have no duty to defend the Named Insured when any other insurer is obligated to defend the Named Insured. . . . We have no duty to defend the named Insured or any other Insured against any Suit seeking damages for Bodily Injury or Property Damage to which this insurance does not apply."
"Property Damage" is defined to mean:
"a. Physical injury to tangible property, including all resulting loss of use of that physically injured property. All such loss of use shall be deemed to occur at the time of the physical injury that caused it.
"b. Property Damage does not include any of the following:
"(1) the loss of use of tangible property that is not physically injured;
"(2) the loss of use of physically injured tangible property arising from Your failure to complete the work called for in Your contract for whatever reason;
"(3) any injury or damage, arising in whole or in part, from Your delay or failure to complete Your work for whatever reason."1
3. Oakhurst Builders tenders the complaint to United Contractors
Flynn did not tender its defense to United Contractors after the complaint was
filed. However, in May 2010, Oakhurst Builders tendered the complaint to United
Contractors, arguing that it was an "additional insured" under the policy. Oakhurst
Builders sought to have United Contractors "honor the additional insured provisions and
1 We provide additional information regarding the specific language of the policy, including certain relevant exclusions, in the discussion section of this opinion, post. 5
the direct, first party claims being made [by Oakhurst Builders]." United Contractors
treated the tender by Oakhurst Builders as a tender by Flynn.
United Contractors advised Flynn by letter that it would decline to provide a
defense to Flynn in the Oakhurst Builders's action, based on the allegations of the
complaint. The letter identified a number of grounds for this determination, including the
applicability of exclusions j(5) and (6), k, l, and rr in the Policy.
B. Procedural background
Flynn filed a complaint for damages against both United Contractors and
Probuilders Specialty Insurance Company, which issued Flynn a general liability policy
subsequent to the expiration of the United Contractors policy at issue in this appeal. As
to United Contractors, the complaint alleged two causes of action: breach of contract and
breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.
Approximately 11 months after the complaint was filed, United Contractors filed a
motion for summary judgment, arguing that it had no duty to defend or indemnify Flynn
with respect to the underlying complaint in the Oakhurst Builders action.
Flynn opposed the summary judgment motion, arguing that the subject exclusions
did not apply to completely eliminate any potential for coverage under the Policy. Flynn
also argued that the "ongoing operations" exclusion included as part of exclusion j(5) was
not conspicuous, plain, or clear, and was therefore unenforceable.
After a hearing, the trial court issued a minute order in which it affirmed its prior
tentative ruling granting United Contractors's motion for summary judgment. The court
concluded that the "ongoing operations" exclusion language in the Policy, provided in
6
exclusion "j. Damage to Property Exclusion," "indicate[d] there is no coverage for
property damage of any kind that arises from operations that are ongoing during the
policy period, i.e., operations that are not completed before the policy expires. The
[United Contractors] policy was in effect from 6/1/06 to 6/1/07. . . . [United
Contractors] offers deposition testimony from Plaintiff, in which he indicates he was
performing work pursuant to change orders as late as May 2008. . . . Thus, Plaintiff's
work continued for almost a year after the policy period expired. This evidence indicates
that Plaintiff's work was ongoing beyond the time the policy expired and thus there was
no coverage under the [subject] language above."
The trial court rejected Flynn's argument that this exclusion was not conspicuous,
plain and clear. The court determined that it was clear that all of the language in the
paragraphs under the "Property Damage" exclusion related to exclusions from coverage,
and that there was no need to specifically highlight or use larger font for certain
exclusions but not for other exclusions. The court further concluded that the specific
words used were plain and clear. Because the court determined that the "ongoing
operations" exclusion applied, such that there could be no coverage for Flynn's work on
the Oakhurst Builders's project, the court found that it was unnecessary for the court to
consider the other policy exclusions that United Contractors had raised in its motion.
7
The court entered judgment in favor of United Contractors on November 21, 2012.
Flynn filed a timely notice of appeal.2
III.
DISCUSSION
A. Governing law
1. The law governing summary judgment
A moving party is entitled to summary judgment when the party establishes that it
is entitled to the entry of judgment as a matter of law. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd.
(c).) A defendant may make this showing by demonstrating that the plaintiff cannot
establish one or more elements of all of his causes of action, or that the defendant has a
complete defense to each cause of action. (Towns v. Davidson (2007) 147 Cal.App.4th
461, 466.)
In reviewing a trial court's ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the
reviewing court makes " 'an independent assessment of the correctness of the trial court's
ruling, applying the same legal standard as the trial court in determining whether there
are any genuine issues of material fact or whether the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law. [Citations.]' [Citation.]" (Trop v. Sony Pictures
Entertainment, Inc. (2005) 129 Cal.App.4th 1133, 1143.)
2 Flynn filed a notice of appeal after the court entered its minute order granting United Contractors's motion for summary judgment, but prior to entry of judgment. In accordance with the rules proscribing liberal construction of a notice of appeal, we will treat Flynn's notice of appeal as a valid, albeit premature, appeal from the judgment. (See Cal. Rules of Court, rule 8.104(e).) 8
"While [an] appellate court must review a summary judgment motion by the same
standards as the trial court, it must independently determine as a matter of law the
construction and effect of the facts presented. [Citation.] Accordingly, we are not bound
by the trial court's stated reasons and review only the ruling, not its rationale." (Blue
Shield of California Life & Health Ins. Co. v. Superior Court (2011) 192 Cal.App.4th
727, 732.) Further, we may affirm an order granting summary judgment on a ground not
relied on by the trial court, if the parties have been afforded an opportunity to brief the
issue. (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (m)(2).)3
2. The law governing an insurer's duty to defend
It is well established that "[t]he insurer's duty to defend is broader than its duty to
indemnify." (Crawford v. Weather Shield Mfg., Inc. (2008) 44 Cal.4th 541, 547.)
"The . . . duty [to indemnify] runs only to claims that are actually covered by the policy,
while the duty to defend extends to claims that are merely potentially covered." (Ibid.)
Whether an insurer has a duty to defend "depends, in the first instance, on a
comparison between the allegations of the complaint and the terms of the policy. . . .
[¶] . . . [¶] If any facts stated or fairly inferable in the complaint, or otherwise known or
3 The Code of Civil Procedure requires that, if we affirm on a ground not relied upon by the trial court, we must "afford the parties an opportunity to present their views on the issue by submitting supplemental briefs." (Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (m)(2).) For the reasons stated below, we are affirming the judgment on grounds not relied upon by the trial court. However, the parties had an opportunity to address those grounds and in fact did address those grounds in their appellate briefing; they also addressed them in the trial court. There is thus no need to afford them a further opportunity to address the issues in supplemental briefing. (See ibid; Byars v. SCME Mortgage Bankers, Inc. (2003) 109 Cal.App.4th 1134, 1147, fn. 7.) 9
discovered by the insurer, suggest a claim potentially covered by the policy, the insurer's
duty to defend arises and is not extinguished until the insurer negates all facts suggesting
potential coverage. On the other hand, if, as a matter of law, neither the complaint nor
the known extrinsic facts indicate any basis for potential coverage, the duty to defend
does not arise in the first instance." (Scottsdale Ins. Co. v. MV Transportation (2005) 36
Cal.4th 643, 654-655.)
"Any doubt as to whether the facts establish the existence of the defense duty must
be resolved in the insured's favor." (Montrose Chemical Corp. v. Superior Court (1993)
6 Cal.4th 287, 299-300 (Montrose).) A court may conclude that no duty to defend exists
only where the underlying complaint " 'can by no conceivable theory raise a single issue
which would bring it within the policy coverage.' " (Ibid., quoting Gray v. Zurich
to show that the claim is not covered, or may not be covered, but are insufficient to
eliminate the possibility that resultant damages . . . will fall within the scope of coverage,
therefore add no weight to the scales." (Montrose, supra, at p. 300.)
B. Analysis
In the underlying action, Oakhurst Builders alleged that Flynn breached the
contract with Oakhurst Builders by, among things, failing to complete the work in a
timely manner, failing to follow the plans and specifications, and failing to pay suppliers.
Oakhurst Builders also alleged that some of Flynn's work was defective and had failed,
requiring the repair and replacement of his glass and related work, as well as the
demolition of areas surrounding Flynn's defective work.
10
Flynn's policy with United Contractors provides that United Contractor agreed to
"pay those sums that the Named Insured becomes legally obligated to pay as Tort
Damages because of Bodily Injury or Property Damage to which this insurance
applies." The Policy goes on to say that it "applies to Bodily Injury and Property
Damage only if: [¶] (1) The Bodily Injury or Property Damage is caused by an
Occurrence that takes place in the Coverage Territory; and [¶] (2) The Bodily Injury
and Property Damage is caused by an Occurrence which takes place during the Policy
Period whether or not such Occurrence is known to any Insured; and [¶] (3) The
Bodily Injury or Property Damage resulting from such Occurrence first takes place
during the Policy Period; and [¶] (4) The Bodily Injury or Property Damage arises
from Your Work performed within the scope of operations: [¶] a. disclosed in Your
application and; [¶] b. specifically insured under this policy."4
The Policy defines "Property Damage" as follows:
"29. Property Damage means:
"a. Physical injury to tangible property, including all resulting loss of use of that physically injured property. All such loss of use shall be deemed to occur at the time of the physical injury that caused it.
"b. Property Damage does not include any of the following:
"1. The loss of use of tangible property that is not physically injured;
4 Although there does not appear to be an explanation of the use of bolding throughout the Policy, our review suggests that many of the bolded terms are included in the "DEFINITIONS" section of the Policy. 11
"2. The loss of use of physically injured tangible property arising from Your failure to complete the work called for in Your contract for whatever reason;
"3. Any injury or damage, arising in whole or in part, from Your delay or failure to complete Your work for whatever reason."5
In the "EXCLUSIONS" section, under "j. Damage to Property Exclusion," the
Policy excludes from coverage, "That particular part of real property on which You or
any contractors or subcontractors working directly or indirectly on Your behalf are
performing operations, if the Property Damage arises out of those operations."
Exclusion "k. Damage to Your Product Exclusion" provides that "Property Damage to
Your Product" is excluded from coverage. Under exclusion "l. Damage to Your Work
Exclusion," the Policy excludes coverage for "Property Damage to Your Work or any
part of it included in the products-completed operations hazard."6
Further, in exclusion "m. Damage to Impaired Property and Property Not
Physically Injured Exclusion," the Policy excludes from coverage the following:
"Property Damage to Impaired Property and property that has not been physically injured, arising out of:
5 We focus our analysis on the "Property Damage" aspect of the Policy because there was no allegation of bodily injury in the underlying complaint. The parties appear to agree that the bodily injury provisions do not apply here.
6 The "Products-Completed Operations Hazard" states that it "[i]ncludes all Bodily Injury and Property Damage occurring away from premises You own or rent and arising out of Your Product or Your Work except: [¶] (1) Products that are still in Your physical possession; or [¶] (2) Work that has not yet been completed." The Policy then provides four different occurrences that will cause an insured's work to be "deemed completed." 12
"(1) A defect, deficiency, inadequacy or dangerous condition in Your Product or Your work; or
"(2) A delay or failure by You or anyone acting on Your behalf to perform a contract or agreement in accordance with its terms.
"This Exclusion applies to any property, real or personal, which is otherwise not physically injured or damaged, but which must be demolished, removed, repaired, replaced, altered, modified, or damaged in order to remove, repair or replace Your Work or Your Product."
The Policy defines "Impaired Property" as "tangible property, other than Your
Product or Your Work, that cannot be used or is less useful because: [¶] a. It
incorporates Your Product or Your Work that is known or thought to be defective,
deficient, inadequate or dangerous; or [¶] b. You have failed to fulfill the terms of a
contract or agreement; [¶] if such property can be restored to use by [¶] a. The repair,
replacement, adjustment or removal of Your Product or Your work; or [¶] b. Your
fulfilling the terms of the contract or agreement. [¶] Impaired Property, includes all
property, real or personal, which is damaged in the course of demolishing, removing,
repairing, replacing, altering, or adjusting Your Work or Your Product."
The Policy defines "Your Product" as:
"a. Any goods or products, other than real property, manufactured, sold, handled, distributed or disposed of by:
"(1) You;
"(2) Others trading under Your name; or
"(3) A person or organization whose business or assets you have acquired; and
13
"b. Containers (other than vehicles), materials, parts or equipment furnished in connection with such goods or products.
"Your Product includes:
"a. Warranties or representations made at any time with respect to the fitness, quality, durability, performance, or use of Your Product; and
"b. The providing of or failure to provide warnings or instructions."
The Policy defines "Your Work" as:
"a. Work or operations performed by You or on Your behalf; and
"b. Materials, parts or equipment furnished in connection with such work or operations.
"Your Work includes:
"a. Warranties or representations made at any time with respect to the fitness, quality, durability, performance or use of Your Work; and
"b. The providing of or failure to provide warnings or instructions."
As various courts have explained, general liability policies for contractors "are not
designed to provide contractors and developers with coverage against claims their work is
inferior or defective." (Maryland Casualty Co. v. Reeder (1990) 221 Cal.App.3d 961,
967.) This is because "[t]he risk of replacing and repairing defective materials or poor
workmanship has generally been considered a commercial risk which is not passed on to
the liability insurer. [Citations.] Rather, liability coverage comes into play when the
insured's defective materials or work cause injury to property other than the insured's
own work or products." (Ibid., italics added.) " 'Replacement and repair costs are to
some degree within the control of the insured. They can be minimized by careful
14
purchasing, inspection of material, quality control and hiring policies. If replacement and
repair costs were covered, the incentive to exercise care or to make repairs at the least
possible cost would be lessened since the insurance company would be footing the bill
for all scrap. Replacement and repair losses tend to be more frequent than losses through
injury to other property, but replacement and repair losses are limited in amount since the
greatest loss cannot exceed the cost of total replacement. If the insured will stand these
losses, insurance can be provided more cheaply since the company will be freed from
administering many small claims for repairs, and it can set a rate for the more unusual
risk of injury to property other than the contractor's work or product. This risk can be the
hazardous one since there are no natural limitations on the damage the contractor might
do to a homeowner's or a neighbor's property.' [Citation.]" (Id. at pp. 967–968.)
Thus, a general liability insurance policy is not designed to serve as a performance
bond or an all risk policy. (See Western Employers Ins. Co. v. Arciero & Sons, Inc.
(1983) 146 Cal.App.3d 1027, 1031.) Again, the risk of repairing defective materials used
by the contractor or poor workmanship completed by the contractor is to be borne by the
contractor, and not passed on to the general liability insurer.
Flynn argues that "there is a very strong potential that at least some of the
negligently caused damage alleged against Flynn in paragraph 14 of the Oakhurst
complaint constitutes property damage which is at least potentially covered by the
[United Contractors] policy." The allegations of the Oakhurst Builders's complaint on
which Flynn relies to suggest that there is a potential for coverage are included in
paragraphs 9 and 14 of the complaint. Paragraph 9 provides:
15
"FLYNN breached the Contract by failing to perform all the conditions and requirements to be performed by FLYNN under the Contract. Such breach includes but is not limited to failing to complete the work required under the Contract, failing to complete such work in a timely fashion, failing to follow the plans and specifications as required under the Contract, and failure to pay suppliers." (Italics added.)7
Paragraph 14 of the Oakhurst Builders's complaint provides:
"FLYNN negligently, carelessly, and wrongfully failed to use reasonable care in selecting, manufacturing, preparing, constructing, handling, installing, cutting, supervising, inspecting, and assembling the glass and the related glazing work. As a proximate and legal result of the negligence of FLYNN, some of the glass and related work is defective and has failed, requiring repair and replacement of the glass and related work as well as demolition of areas surrounding the defective work of FLYNN. As a proximate and legal result thereof, OAKHURST BUILDERS has been, and continues to be, damaged in an amount to be proven at trial. As a further proximate and legal result of the negligence of FLYNN, OAKHURST BUILDERS will incur and/or has incurred costs to investigate and repair the Real Property, and has incurred loss of use of the Real Property in an amount to be proven at trial." (Italics added.)8
We begin by noting that there is no allegation in the underlying complaint that
Flynn's allegedly defective work caused physical injury to some portion of the residence
other than the windows, doors or related glazing work.9 Thus, a duty to defend would
arise only if it is fairly inferable from the allegations of the complaint that some portion
7 With respect to paragraph 9, Flynn focuses on and highlights the italicized portion of the quoted language.
8 Again, Flynn focuses on and highlights the italicized portions of the quoted language from the underlying complaint.
9 Although Flynn highlights the references to "related work" in paragraph 14, it is clear from the entire paragraph that the term "related work" is simply a short reference to "the related glazing work" mentioned in the first sentence of that paragraph. 16
of the damages sought in the underlying action are for physical injuries to portions of the
project apart from Flynn's glass and related glazing work. We conclude no such
inference can be fairly drawn based on the allegations of this complaint.
First, paragraph 9 clearly does not allege any facts that demonstrate that the
damages sought might be potentially covered by the Policy. Flynn highlights the
allegations that Flynn breached the contract with Oakhurst Builders by "failing to
complete [the contracted] work in a timely fashion," and "failing to follow the plans and
specifications as required under the Contract." However, these allegations do not suggest
that Flynn's work caused damage to other property in the project. Rather, these
allegations specifically refer to Flynn's failure to meet his contractual obligations, and do
not allege injuries or damages apart from contractual damages. The Policy does not
provide coverage for contractual damages, but, instead, covers only "those sums that the
Named Insured becomes legally obligated to pay as Tort Damages because of Bodily
Injury or Property Damage to which this insurance applies." Thus, the allegations of
paragraph 9 do not suggest the existence of a claim potentially covered by the Policy.
We next consider whether the allegations of paragraph 14 leave open the
possibility that any damages resulting from the lawsuit could fall within the scope of
coverage of the Policy. The initial factual allegation of paragraph 14, i.e., that "FLYNN
negligently, carelessly, and wrongfully failed to use reasonable care in selecting,
inspecting, and assembling the glass and the related glazing work," do not allege any
damages that could be covered under the Policy. Rather, these allegations specifically
17
refer only to Flynn's conduct, and do not allege any damages arising from Flynn's
allegedly negligent and/or wrongful conduct in performing his own work.
The next sentence of paragraph 14 asserts that "[a]s a proximate and legal result of
the negligence of FLYNN some of the glass and related work is defective and has failed,
requiring repair and replacement of the glass and related work as well as demolition of
areas surrounding the defective work of FLYNN." (Italics added.) To the extent that
Flynn contends that the defects in, and failure of, the "glass and related work" referenced
in this allegation triggers coverage under the Policy, we must reject such a position. As
noted, exclusion "l" excludes from coverage any property damage to Flynn's own work.
The complaint provides no basis to conclude that the allegation that some of the "glass
and related work is defective and has failed" is anything but a direct reference to Flynn's
work.
While the complaint also states that Flynn's alleged negligence required the
"demolition of areas surrounding the defective work of FLYNN," this statement does not
suggest the possibility of coverage. Under exclusion "m," the Policy specifically
excludes coverage for the demolition of portions of the property that "[are] otherwise not
physically injured or damaged, but which must be demolished, removed, repaired,
replaced, altered, modified, or damaged in order to remove, repair or replace Your Work
or Your Product." The reference to "demolition of areas surrounding the defective
work" alleges the need to demolish parts of the property that were not injured as a result
of Flynn's work. Rather, the portions referred to are areas of the property that had to be
demolished in order to effectuate the repair and replacement of Flynn's alleged defective
18
work. The damages created by this type of demolition are clearly excluded from
coverage under the Policy.
Finally, the only other statement in the underlying complaint to which Flynn
points, and the only other statement that we have found that seems potentially relevant to
Flynn's assertion of the potential for coverage, is the following sentence, also in
paragraph 14: "As a further proximate and legal result of the negligence of FLYNN,
OAKHURST BUILDERS will incur and/or has incurred costs to investigate and repair
the Real Property, and has incurred loss of use of the Real Property in an amount to be
proven at trial." (Italics added.) Flynn contends that United Contractors has not "even
attempted to prove that the damage alleged in" this portion of paragraph 14, "which
damage was alleged to have been negligently caused by Mr. Flynn, and which damage
allegedly (a) necessitated the repair of the Real Property, and (b) caused the loss of use of
the Real Property, was not the physical injury to tangible property and/or loss of use of
that injured property." However, in making this argument, Flynn fails to acknowledge
that the repair and loss of use must be due to physically injured property that is not
Flynn's work in order to be covered by the Policy. There is no suggestion in the
complaint, nor any basis on which an inference may be drawn, that the "repair" of the
"Real Property" and the "loss of use of the Real Property" is a result of physical injury to
parts of the property that are not either Flynn's work or surrounding undamaged work that
had to be demolished in order to repair and replace Flynn's work. The entire paragraph
refers to the repair and replacement of the glass and glazing work, specifically, and
mentions the demolition of the surrounding areas in order to repair and replace Flynn's
19
work. One cannot reasonably infer from the final sentence of paragraph 14 that Oakhurst
Builders is seeking damages for repairing physically injured property that was not Flynn's
work, apart from any portions that had to be demolished in order to repair his work.
Rather, the entire complaint is seeking relief for Flynn's alleged breach of contract and
the cost of repairing and/or replacing his allegedly defective work. None of the claims
asserted has a potential for policy coverage.
Because we conclude that none of the facts stated or fairly inferable in the
complaint suggest a claim potentially covered by the policy, and because there has been
no showing that United Contractors knew or discovered other facts that would suggest
potential coverage, United Contractors's duty to defend did not arise. Although the trial
court reached the same conclusion based on its finding that an exclusion to coverage in
the Policy for so-called "ongoing operations" provided in exclusion "j" excluded the
claims in the underlying complaint from coverage, we need not address that contention
because we are affirming the trial court's judgment on different grounds that the parties
have already addressed on appeal. (See Code Civ. Proc., § 437c, subd. (m)(2).)
20
IV.
DISPOSITION
The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.
AARON, J.
WE CONCUR:
NARES, Acting P. J.
IRION, J.
21
AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that the insurer had no duty to defend or indemnify the insured because the underlying complaint alleged damages arising from defective workmanship and failure to complete work, which were excluded from coverage under the policy's property damage and work-related exclusions.
Issues
Whether the trial court erred in finding the 'ongoing operations' exclusion enforceable.
Whether the insurer had a duty to defend the insured against the underlying construction defect complaint.
Disposition. Affirmed
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“We conclude that no duty to defend (or ultimately indemnify) arose under the Oakhurst Builders complaint because the damages sought in that complaint are excluded from coverage under Flynn's general liability insurance policy.”