Nickerson v. Stonebridge Life Insurance Co. (2016) · DecisionDepot
Nickerson v. Stonebridge Life Insurance Co.
California Court of Appeal Nov 3, 2016 No. B234271APublished
Before: Aldrich, Edmon, Stratton
Filed 11/3/16 Opinion on remand from Supreme Court CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION THREE
THOMAS NICKERSON, B234271
Plaintiff and Appellant, (Los Angeles County Super. Ct. No. BC405280) v.
STONEBRIDGE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEALS from orders and a judgment of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, Mary Ann Murphy, Judge. Order denying motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is affirmed, order granting the new trial motion is vacated, and the judgment is modified and affirmed. Shernoff Bidart Echeverria Bentley, William M. Shernoff, Howard S. Shernoff, Travis M. Corby; The Ehrlich Law Firm and Jeffrey Isaac Ehrlich for Plaintiff and Appellant. Baute Crochetiere & Wang, David P. Crochetiere, Henry C. Wang; Reed Smith and Margaret A. Grignon for Defendant and Appellant.
Amy Bach; Knapp & Roberts and David L. Abney for United Policyholders as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant. _________________________ INTRODUCTION The sole issue raised by both parties to this appeal concerns the punitive damage award, specifically, whether the trial court’s remittitur of that award from $19 million to $350,000 based on a ratio of punitive to compensatory damages of 10:1 comports with due process. Thomas Nickerson sued Stonebridge Life Insurance Company (Stonebridge) challenging the insurer’s partial denial of his claim for hospitalization benefits. The trial court ruled that a policy provision limiting coverage was not conspicuous, plain, and clear and was therefore unenforceable, entitling Nickerson to $31,500 in additional benefits under the policy. A jury then found that Stonebridge had breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing and awarded Nickerson $35,000 in compensatory damages for emotional distress. The jury found Stonebridge acted with fraud and fixed the punitive damage award at $19 million. The trial court conditionally granted Stonebridge’s new trial motion unless Nickerson consented to a reduction of the punitive damages to $350,000.1 Both parties appeal. After weighing all of the relevant factors and circumstances pursuant to State Farm Mut. Automobile Ins. Co. v. Campbell (2003) 538 U.S. 408 (State Farm) and Simon v. San Paolo U.S. Holding Co., Inc. (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1159 (Simon),
1 For convenience, we refer to the remitted punitive damage amount of $350,000 as the remitted punitive damage award or the punitive damage award.
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we held the trial court’s remittitur of punitive damages was proper. The Supreme Court granted review, limited to the question of whether, when assessing the constitutionality of the punitive damages award, we properly excluded as compensatory damages, the award of attorney fees under Brandt v. Superior Court (1985) 37 Cal.3d 813, on the basis that such fees were awarded by the trial court after the jury had rendered its verdict. (Nickerson v. Stonebridge Life Ins. Co. (2016) 63 Cal.4th 363, 371.) The Supreme Court did not address the bulk of our opinion in which we determined that the ratio of punitive to compensatory damages of 10:1 passed constitutional muster under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The Supreme Court held only that the Brandt fees should be included as compensatory damages in the ratio calculation irrespective of whether such fees were awarded by the trial court or the jury. (Id. at p. 368.) The Supreme Court reversed our previous opinion and remanded the case to this court for further proceedings consistent with its decision. Pursuant to the opinion of the Supreme Court, we hold that the Brandt fees should be included in the compensatory damages, modify the judgment and, as modified, affirm it. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND 1. The insurance policy Stonebridge insured Nickerson under a policy (the policy) providing coverage for hospital confinement, intensive care unit confinement, and emergency room visits. Stonebridge agreed to pay indemnity in the amount of $350 per day for each day of confinement in a hospital for a covered injury, $350 per day for each day of confinement in a hospital intensive care unit, and
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$150 per visit to a hospital emergency room. Although payment of claims under this policy is related to healthcare services rendered to the insured, the policy is not healthcare insurance that pays for medical expenses. The insured is free to use the funds in any manner he or she wishes, i.e., for rent or a car payment. The policy’s insuring clause for the “Accidental Daily Hospital Confinement Benefit” stated: “We will pay the Daily Hospital Confinement Benefit stated on the Schedule Page for each day of Confinement due to a covered injury, beginning with the first day of Confinement. A Covered Person must be under the professional care of a Physician, and such Confinement must begin within 90 days of the accident causing the injury.” (Capitalization omitted.) A definitions section contained 10 definitions, including: “HOSPITAL CONFINEMENT/CONFINEMENT/CONFINED means being an inpatient in a Hospital for the necessary care and treatment of an Injury. Such confinement must be prescribed by a Physician. “Confinement does not include outpatient care and treatment, including outpatient surgery or outpatient observation received in a Hospital. “[¶] . . . [¶] “NECESSARY TREATMENT means medical treatment which is consistent with currently accepted medical practice. Any confinement, operation, treatment, or service not a valid course of treatment recognized by an established medical society in the United States is not considered ‘Necessary Treatment.’ No treatment or service or expense in connection therewith, which is experimental in nature, is considered ‘Necessary Treatment.’
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“We may use Peer Review Organizations or other professional medical opinions to determine if health care services are: “1. medically necessary; and “2. consistent with professionally recognized standards of care with respect to quality, frequency, and duration; and “3. provided in the most economical and medically appropriate site for treatment. “If services do not meet these criteria, expenses related to those services will not be deemed ‘Necessary Treatment.’ ” The policy defined a “Hospital” as an institution that, among other things, is engaged primarily in providing “medical, diagnostic, and major surgery facilities for medical care and treatment of sick and injured persons on an inpatient basis,” excluding any institution or any part of an institution operated primarily as a “convalescent home, convalescent, rest, or nursing facility.” The policy period began in October 2007, and the policy stated that coverage would continue as long as Nickerson continued to pay his monthly premium. 2. Nickerson’s injury and hospitalization Nickerson served in the United States Marines and therefore is entitled to medical care at Veterans Administration (VA) hospitals at no cost. He was involved in a snowmobile accident in 1997 and became paralyzed from his chest down. He now relies on a wheelchair. Nickerson is single and has worked as a live-in caretaker for other veterans since 2000 in exchange for free rent. His only income is a very small military pension. Nickerson was sitting in a motorized wheelchair on a lift about to be lowered from his van when he accidently struck the
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control, causing the wheelchair to lurch forward. He fell from the wheelchair on the lift down to the pavement. The accident occurred on February 11, 2008. He suffered a broken leg and was taken to a VA hospital in Long Beach, first to the emergency room and then to a spinal cord unit, that was equipped to treat paraplegics and quadriplegics. Nickerson’s primary care physician, Dr. Hung Nguyen, treated him there together with orthopedic physicians. Nickerson suffered a comminuted, displaced fracture of his right tibia and fibula, meaning that the leg was broken, splintered, and out of place. A full-leg splint, a so-called Long Beach splint, was put in place extending from his upper thigh to the beginning of his toes. He soon experienced complications from the injury, including heterotopic ossification (formation of bone in a joint), bruising, swelling, blistering, infection, and a risk of gangrene. He remained at risk for blood clots. Nickerson was confined to a hospital bed and received intravenous fluids until around February 29, 2008, although he continued to have some blisters from an infection. An orthopedic physician approved Nickerson’s sitting in a wheelchair again on March 24, 2008. He could tolerate two hours at a time in a wheelchair by May 9, 2008, and an orthopedic physician determined that he would be ready for discharge when he could tolerate three hours at a time in a wheelchair. Dr. Nguyen decided that Nickerson was stable and ready to return home on May 19, 2008, except that he was unable to maneuver into his bathroom without a particular part needed for his wheelchair. After obtaining the needed part, Dr. Nguyen discharged Nickerson from the hospital on May 30, 2008. In all,
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Nickerson was hospitalized under Dr. Nguyen’s care from February 11 until May 30, 2008, a total of 109 days. 3. Nickerson’s claim and Stonebridge’s handling of his claim Nickerson submitted a claim to Stonebridge on June 2, 2008, together with a completed form that Stonebridge had provided to authorize the release of his medical records. Stonebridge sent him a letter dated June 18, 2008, stating that the Long Beach VA hospital required him to complete and sign a different authorization form. Rather than complete the form, Nickerson went to the hospital himself, obtained copies of his records and mailed them to Stonebridge. Nonetheless, Stonebridge sent him another letter enclosing the same authorization form along with an Explanation of Benefits form stating that his file was closed until the information requested of him was received. Nickerson completed and returned the form. Nickerson sought assistance from the California Department of Insurance on July 22, 2008. He explained that he had been in the hospital for 109 days and could not use the bathroom or enter a bedroom because of the Long Beach splint on his leg. After he had sent his medical records to Stonebridge, Nickerson was notified that his file was closed until the insurer received additional information. On August 15, Stonebridge wrote to Nickerson to advise him it was ordering records from the Long Beach VA Hospital. Stonebridge notified Nickerson in a letter dated August 28, 2008, that it had received the information requested from the Long Beach VA Hospital, and that it was requesting additional information from a medical peer review organization. Stonebridge sent Nickerson’s file to the Medical Review Institute
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of America and requested answers to three questions: (1) “Was the confinement medically necessary for inpatient treatment of the right tibia/fibula fracture? If so, for how many days?” (2) “Was treatment consistent with professionally recognized standards of care with respect to quality, frequency and duration?” and (3) “Was treatment provided in the most economical and medically appropriate site for treatment?” The Case Review Submittal Form included a box to check if Stonebridge required a phone consultation between the peer reviewer and the treating physician. Stonebridge did not check the box. Amy Hammer, Stonebridge’s technical claims specialist, testified that neither she nor anyone at Stonebridge had ever requested a reviewer contact the treating physician. Stonebridge received a peer review report dated September 9, 2008 that concluded, “By 2/29/08 the fracture blebs and leg swelling was improved and there were no further signs of active leg infection, compartment syndrome or thromboembolic disease. His initial splint had been changed to a more stable Long Beach splint and was able to transfer from bed to gurney. At that point it was reasonable that a transfer to a less acute care environment such as a rehabilitation center or even back home with a care giver was possible. Visits to the orthopaedic clinic for further follow up could have been arranged and there was no evidence of additional need for acute hospitalization. Ongoing care after that date was primarily directed to care of his chronic trophic ulcerations and physical therapy. Average length of stay for proximal tibial fractures according to ODG is 4.0 days, however Milliman indicates that hospitalization for complications for paraplegic treatment as in this case can result in extended stays. That extension based on the clinical situation as described in the
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progress notes should have been until Feb. 29. [¶] . . . [¶] After, Feb. 29, [sic] a more economical and medically appropriate facility could have been chosen.” (Italics added.) Stonebridge notified Nickerson in a letter dated September 10, 2008, that it had completed the processing of his claim for benefits. The letter stated that an independent medical reviewer had determined that acute care hospitalization was medically necessary only from February 11 until February 29, 2008, and that his treatment after February 29 could have been done in a less acute care environment or at home with a caregiver. It stated that his hospitalization therefore was “Necessary Treatment,” as defined in the policy, only from February 11 until February 29, 2008, and that he was entitled to benefits only for that period. Stonebridge sent Nickerson a check for $6,450 shortly thereafter. Nickerson turned to Dr. Nguyen for help by asking him to write a letter to Stonebridge explaining his extended hospitalization. Dr. Nguyen’s three-paragraph letter dated September 30, 2008, stated, in relevant part: “The fracture was complicated by extensive swelling, infection, blistering, and muscle damage that required acute hospitalization, intravenous fluids and antibiotics, and full staff support including consultation with an orthopedic surgeon. The infection and blistering subsided as Mr. Nickerson completed his antibiotics on March 1, 2008. During this time, the right leg was placed in a Long Beach Splint, kept elevated and fully extended. “Mr. Nickerson was living alone and could not have been discharged safely at that time. The orthopedic consultants recommended that he remain supine in bed or gurney and did not clear him for wheelchair use until March 24, 2008. He did not
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have an available caregiver that could provide bedside care at home during this period. They also recommended that his fractured leg be kept fully extended in the splint (no flexion permitted) to allow healing. They did not lift this restriction until May 5, 2008. His home has narrow doorways and corners he could not have managed in his wheelchair if his leg was fully extended.” (Italics added.) Stonebridge responded to Nickerson in a letter dated October 10, 2008, stating that Dr. Nguyen’s letter did not change its decision because Dr. Nguyen did not indicate that hospitalization in an “acute care setting” was required as of March 1, 2008. Continuing, the October 10 letter stated in relevant part: “Although you may have needed to be confined on an inpatient basis, there is no indication that you had any medical conditions [o]n March 1, 2008 or after that required inpatient acute care. Therefore, your confinement in an acute care setting as of March 1, 2008 was not provided in the most economical and medically appropriate site for treatment and was not consistent with professionally recognized standards of care.” (Italics added.) Hammer conceded there is no requirement in Nickerson’s policy that the care be acute to be covered. Hammer did not know at the time she received the reviewer’s report that care at VA hospitals was free for veterans like Nickerson. She acknowledged that she did not believe that the Long Beach VA Hospital kept patients hospitalized unnecessarily. Hammer conceded that Nickerson’s claim fell within the policy’s grant of coverage and not within any of the policy’s stated exceptions. She also conceded that the Long Beach VA Hospital was the most economical site for Nickerson’s treatment. Hammer testified she would handle Nickerson’s claim
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the same way today. This was confirmed by Stonebridge’s vice president of claims at the time. 4. Trial court proceedings Nickerson’s lawsuit against Stonebridge ensued. His complaint alleged Stonebridge breached the insurance contract by failing to pay him benefits for the full 109 days of his hospital stay and that Stonebridge breached the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing by acting unreasonably and in bad faith in denying him the full policy benefits. At the close of Nickerson’s case, the trial court granted his motion for a directed verdict on the cause of action for breach of contract, finding as a matter of law that the “Necessary Treatment” limitation was a limitation of coverage that was not conspicuous, plain and clear in the policy and therefore was unenforceable. The court found that Nickerson was entitled to $31,500 in unpaid benefits for the breach of contract cause of action. The jury returned a special verdict finding that Stonebridge’s failure to pay policy benefits was unreasonable or without proper cause and that Nickerson suffered $35,000 in damages for emotional distress as a result. The jury also found Stonebridge had “enagage[d] in the conduct with fraud.” In the punitive damages phase of trial, the court instructed the jury that Stonebridge failed to comply with two orders to produce documents. This instruction was the result of Stonebridge’s defiance of two court orders to produce its so-called “Blue Forms,” the internal forms Stonebridge used when denying claims so as to comply with the California Fair Claims Practices Act. Nickerson introduced two exhibits showing Stonebridge had a net worth in excess of $368 million, and a binder of evidence
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(Exhibit 33) showing other claims that Stonebridge had denied based on the “Necessary Treatment” or “Necessary Emergency Treatment” definition in its policies. The jury awarded Nickerson $19 million in punitive damages, equaling approximately 5 percent of the company’s net worth. The parties had stipulated before trial that the trial court could determine the Brandt fees, if Nickerson succeeded on his complaint. After trial, the parties stipulated to $12,500 in attorney fees, and the court awarded that amount. Stonebridge moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV) seeking a reduction in the punitive damage award from $19 million to $35,000. The insurer argued that the punitive damage award was unconstitutionally excessive and that it should not exceed the amount of tort damages awarded. Stonebridge also moved for a new trial seeking a reduction in the punitive damage award “to a minimal amount.” In neither post- trial motion did Stonebridge challenge the directed verdict on the breach of contract cause of action, the discovery order, the sufficiency of the evidence to support the finding it breached the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, or the fraud finding, which latter finding is the predicate to an award of punitive damages. (Civ. Code, § 3294.) The trial court denied Stonebridge’s JNOV motion. On the new trial motion, after conducting the constitutional analysis under State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at page 419, the trial court reduced the punitive damage award to a ratio of punitive to compensatory damages of 10:1. The trial court explained it “may be unlikely that a punitive damage award reduced to a 10:1 ratio will deter Stonebridge from engaging in similar tortious conduct in the future,” but the court felt “constrained to reduce the
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punitive damage award to 10:1 based on recent California and federal authority.” In calculating the amount of punitive damages, the court considered only the $35,000 in compensatory damages for Stonebridge’s breach of the implied covenant; it did not include the $31,500 in damages for the insurer’s breach of contract or the $12,500 in attorney fees. Accordingly, the court conditionally granted Stonebridge’s new trial motion unless Nickerson consented to a remittitur of the punitive damage award to $350,000, in which event the new trial motion would be denied. The trial court entered a judgment on June 13, 2011, awarding Nickerson compensatory damages of $31,500 for breach of contract and $35,000 for breach of the implied covenant, plus $12,500 in attorney fees as economic damages, $30,603.45 in costs, and $19 million in punitive damages. Nickerson rejected the reduction in punitive damages and filed a timely appeal from the order granting a new trial. (Code Civ. Proc., § 904.1, subd. (a)(4).) As a consequence of Nickerson’s refusal to accept the remittitur of damages, the trial court’s ruling on the new trial motion constitutes an order granting a new trial. (See DeTomaso v. Pan American World Airways, Inc. (1987) 43 Cal.3d 517, 524.) Stonebridge timely appealed from the June 13, 2011 judgment and the denial of its JNOV motion. (Code Civ. Proc., § 904.1, subd. (a)(4).) CONTENTIONS Neither party challenges the judgment of liability or the jury instructions employed at trial. Accordingly, we address neither the correctness of the liability judgment nor the instructions. (See Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1171, fn. 1.)
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The contentions on appeal raise only the question of whether the remitted punitive damage award passes constitutional muster under the due process clause. Nickerson contends the trial court erred (1) in concluding it was constrained by law to limit punitive damages to no more than 10 times the compensatory award; and (2) in excluding certain categories of compensatory damages when fixing the ratio of compensatory to punitive damages. Stonebridge contends the trial court erred in failing to rule on the merits of its JNOV motion seeking a greater reduction of the punitive damage award because (1) there is a low degree of reprehensibility and Nickerson only suffered non-economic damages, and because (2) the evidence does not support the jury’s finding that Stonebridge acted with fraud. DISCUSSION The maximum constitutionally permissive punitive damage award “Punitive damages may be imposed under state law to further a state’s legitimate interests in punishing unlawful conduct and deterring its repetition. [Citation.] States have considerable flexibility in determining the appropriate level of punitive damages to allow in different classes of cases and in any particular case. [Citation.] The amount of punitive damages offends due process under the Fourteenth Amendment as arbitrary only if the award is ‘ “grossly excessive” ’ in relation to the state’s legitimate interests in punishment and deterrence. [Citations.]” (Bullock v. Philip Morris USA, Inc. (2011) 198 Cal.App.4th 543, 558.) In determining the constitutional maximum for a particular punitive damage award under the due process clause,
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we are directed to follow three guideposts: “(1) the degree of reprehensibility of the defendant’s misconduct; (2) the disparity between the actual or potential harm suffered by the plaintiff and the punitive damages award; and (3) the difference between the punitive damages awarded by the jury and the civil penalties authorized or imposed in comparable cases. [Citation.]” (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 418, citing BMW of North America, Inc. v. Gore (1996) 517 U.S. 559, 575 (Gore).) Appellate courts conduct de novo review of a trial court’s application of the guideposts to the jury’s punitive damage award. (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 418; Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1172; accord Gober v. Ralphs Grocery Co. (2006) 137 Cal.App.4th 204, 212.) “Exacting appellate review ensures that an award of punitive damages is based upon an ‘ “application of law, rather than a decisionmaker’s caprice.” ’ [Citations.]” (State Farm, supra, at p. 418.) We accept as true the jury’s findings of historical fact as long as they are supported by substantial evidence (Simon, supra, at p. 1172; Gober, supra, at p. 216), but we do not defer to findings inferred from the jury’s award. (Simon, supra, at pp. 1172-1173.) We are always conscious, however, that “[o]ur task here is only to determine the maximum permissible award under the Constitution, which is not necessarily the same award we would reach as jurors. [Citation.]” (Roby v. McKesson Corp. (2009) 47 Cal.4th 686, 720 (conc. & dis. opn. of Werdegar, J.) (Roby).) With these rules in mind, we address seriatim the three guideposts delineated by the United States Supreme Court. a. Degree of reprehensibility “ ‘[T]he most important indicium of the reasonableness of a punitive damages award is the degree of reprehensibility of the
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defendant’s conduct.’ ” (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 419; Gore, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 575; accord, Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1180; Roby, supra, 47 Cal.4th at p. 713.) We determine the reprehensibility of Stonebridge’s behavior by considering five aggravating factors, namely “whether: [(1)] the harm caused was physical as opposed to economic; [(2)] the tortious conduct evinced an indifference to or a reckless disregard of the health or safety of others; [(3)] the target of the conduct had financial vulnerability; [(4)] the conduct involved repeated actions or was an isolated incident; and [(5)] the harm was the result of intentional malice, trickery, or deceit, or mere accident. [Citation.] The existence of any one of these factors weighing in favor of a plaintiff may not be sufficient to sustain a punitive damages award; and the absence of all of them renders any award suspect. [We presume Nickerson] has been made whole for his injuries by compensatory damages, so punitive damages should only be awarded if [Stonebridge’s] culpability, after having paid compensatory damages, is so reprehensible as to warrant the imposition of further sanctions to achieve punishment or deterrence. [Citation.]” (State Farm, supra, at p. 419.) The parties dispute the application of all five of the reprehensibility factors and so we address them seriatim. (i) Nickerson did not suffer physical harm. The first factor is whether the harm caused to Nickerson was physical or economic. Nickerson’s injuries were solely economic as they “arose from a transaction in the economic realm, not from some physical assault or trauma” and “there were no physical injuries.” (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 426.) Nickerson’s counsel admitted as much in closing argument by stating: “Number 1 is whether the conduct caused physical
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harm. Obviously, it did not in this case. There was no – physical harm to Mr. Nickerson. There was emotional harm, and you’ve already compensated – him for his emotional harm.” Despite having conceded the lack of physical harm at trial, on appeal Nickerson asserts he did suffer physical harm and cites Roby, supra, 47 Cal.4th 686 that when the defendant’s conduct causes damage that affects the plaintiff’s emotional and mental health, it is treated as physical harm. Roby is distinguished as the plaintiff there experienced physical manifestations of her emotional distress: she developed agoraphobia, became suicidal, forewent medical treatment, and was deemed “completely disabled.” (Id. at p. 697.) Nickerson, by contrast, testified he felt upset, frustrated, angry, and betrayed. The trial court found him to be a “stoic man who did not appear comfortable talking about his feelings in response to his attorney’s questions.” Nickerson never testified he suffered physical effects from Stonebridge’s conduct. Nor is the difference between the harm suffered by Nickerson and that suffered by Roby simply a matter of degree, as Nickerson would have it. The record contains no indication that Nickerson suffered any physical symptoms of his emotional distress and so this factor does not apply. (ii) Stonebridge acted with indifference to, and a reckless disregard of, the health or safety of Nickerson and others. The second factor is whether Stonebridge’s tortious conduct evinced its indifference to or reckless disregard of the health and safety of others. Nickerson is paralyzed from his chest down and relies on a wheelchair. He obtained his policy with Stonebridge for peace of mind and security. (Amerigraphics, Inc. v. Mercury Casualty Co. (2010) 182 Cal.App.4th 1538, 1562 (Amerigraphics),
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disapproved on other grounds in Nickerson v. Stonebridge Life Ins. Co., supra, 63 Cal.4th at p. 377, fn. 2.) Yet, the evidence shows Stonebridge recklessly disregarded Nickerson’s health and safety: Stonebridge (1) refused to provide Dr. Nguyen’s letter to the peer reviewer and refused to recognize that Nickerson required hospitalization for 109 days; (2) declined coverage on the grounds the hospitalization at the Long Beach VA Hospital was not the most economically and medically appropriate site for Nickerson’s treatment which ignores the fact that hospital care was free of charge for Nickerson and, as Hammer acknowledged, that VA hospitals did not hospitalize patients unnecessarily; (3) required that Nickerson’s care be “acute” to be covered, notwithstanding the policy did not specify this predicate to coverage; and (4) expected that Nickerson should have returned home despite his doctors’ conclusion he could not be safely discharged. We reject Stonebridge’s attempts to minimize its conduct by arguing that the only harm Nickerson suffered was his inability to purchase a new van. This argument ignores not only that Stonebridge’s practice caused Nickerson to suffer personal injury, but also that the van, outfitted to meet his needs, is essential to Nickerson’s safety and well being. In addition to its treatment of Nickerson, the record reveals Stonebridge’s indifference to the health and safety of others through its practice of using the hidden “Necessary Treatment” limitation to deny other policyholders’ claims and by preventing full communication between peer reviewers and treating physicians. Stonebridge’s argument that it is not a health insurer does not alter our conclusion. Its practices affect insureds’ hospitalization decisions. (Cf. Sarchett v. Blue Shield of California (1987) 43 Cal.3d 1, 11 [dilemma faced by insured:
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follow recommendation of physician and risk later denial of coverage or reject doctor’s advice and risk foregoing needed treatment].) This factor weighs in favor of a finding of reprehensibility. (iii) The target of the conduct is financially vulnerable. The third factor, “whether . . . the target of the conduct had financial vulnerability” (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 419), is ordinarily “relevant only if financial vulnerability made the target more vulnerable to the defendant’s wrongful conduct or exacerbated the harm, such as where the harm caused by the defendant’s conduct was economic. [Citations.]” (Bullock v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., supra, 198 Cal.App.4th at pp. 561-562, citing Gore, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 576 [“infliction of economic injury, especially when done intentionally through affirmative acts of misconduct [citation] or when the target is financially vulnerable, can warrant a substantial penalty”].) Nickerson is clearly financially vulnerable: he is a permanently disabled 58- year-old paraplegic and a former marine whose only source of income is a paltry military pension. Stonebridge insists that Nickerson’s income was not affected by its decision to deny him his policy benefits because his pension was unaffected by the hospital stay and his medical treatment was free. Stonebridge argues Nickerson is not financially vulnerable because, quoting from Amerigraphics, supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at page 1562, he did not “need[] the money to survive,” and reiterates that the only harm Nickerson actually suffered was his inability to purchase a new van. Such argument trivializes Nickerson’s plight. Nickerson has extremely limited financial resources and needed the proceeds from his Stonebridge policy to replace his 10-year- old, specially modified van, which vehicle had 250,000 miles on it
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and was unsafe. Merely because Nickerson could survive without the policy proceeds does not mean Stonebridge’s conduct did not affect his solvency or that he was financially invulnerable. This factor weighs in favor of reprehensibility. (iv) Stonebridge’s conduct involved repeated actions; it was not an isolated incident. This fourth factor considers whether the tortfeasor was recidivist, i.e., whether its conduct involved repeated actions or was an isolated incident. (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 419.) Reprehensibility is “influenced by the frequency and profitability of the defendant’s prior or contemporaneous similar conduct.” (Johnson v. Ford Motor Co. (2005) 35 Cal.4th 1191, 1207.) “Action taken or omitted in order to augment profit represents an enhanced degree of punishable culpability . . . .” (Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker (2008) 554 U.S. 471, 494.) Hence, in reviewing punitive damages, due process allows courts to consider the defendant’s “illegal or wrongful conduct towards others that was similar to the tortious conduct that injured the plaintiff or plaintiffs. . . . [A] civil defendant’s recidivism remains pertinent to an assessment of culpability.” (Johnson v. Ford Motor Co., supra, at p. 1204.) “[A] recidivist may be punished more severely than a first offender [because] repeated misconduct is more reprehensible than an individual instance of malfeasance.” (Gore, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 577.) Stonebridge does not appeal from the directed verdict finding that its policy’s “Necessary Treatment” definition was a limitation of coverage that was unenforceable. The evidence shows that Stonebridge had a business practice of employing that same “Necessary Treatment” definition to deny claims for hospitalization or emergency room visits submitted by other
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insureds in addition to Nickerson.2 Thus, Stonebridge repeatedly relied on an unenforceable provision to deny coverage to its insureds. Additionally, Stonebridge utilized the same bad faith claims-handling practice against others that it used against Nickerson. Neither Hammer nor anyone she knew at Stonebridge ever requested a medical peer reviewer contact the treating physician, and Stonebridge’s vice president of claims testified that the claims-handling procedure utilized by Hammer was authorized at the corporate level. Thus, Stonebridge had a practice of obstructing communication between outside reviewers and the insureds’ treating doctors. Stonebridge clearly placed its interests above that of its insureds and repeatedly profited both
2 Stonebridge asserts without any citation to the record that the trial court permitted Nickerson to admit into evidence “unauthenticated records” of Stonebridge’s denials of claims to 225 other Californians based on the “Necessary Treatment” definition (Exhibits 33 & 36) “over Stonebridge’s objection.” We are unable to locate any place in the record where Stonebridge objected to admission of these exhibits and Stonebridge cites us to none. In fact, Exhibit 36 is Stonebridge’s own response to interrogatories. Accordingly, even were we to conclude the evidence was inadmissible -- a determination we do not make -- Stonebridge has forfeited any objection to the admission of these exhibits. (Platzer v. Mammoth Mountain Ski Area (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 1253, 1260.)
Stonebridge also suggests that the evidence does not support a finding of recidivism by inviting us to reevaluate Exhibits 33 and 36, admitted into evidence. We have reviewed the record, including the exhibits Stonebridge cites. They show that Stonebridge repeatedly utilized the same “Necessary Treatment” provision to deny claims to other insureds.
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from the sale of such unlawful insurance policy clauses to Nickerson and others, and from its wrongful claims-handling practices. Indeed, Stonebridge did not appeal from the jury verdict of liability on the bad faith cause of action. Manifestly, the denial of coverage here was the result of a practice repeatedly utilized, and not an isolated incident. This factor weighs in favor of a finding of a high degree of reprehensibility. We reject out of hand Stonebridge’s suggestion that the trial court improperly permitted the jury to punish it for its handling of other insureds’ claims. California has the “constitutional freedom to use punitive damages as a tool to protect the consuming public, not merely to punish a private wrong.” (Johnson v. Ford Motor Co., supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1206.) “To consider the defendant’s entire course of conduct in setting or reviewing a punitive damages award . . . is not to punish the defendant for its conduct toward others. An enhanced punishment for recidivism does not directly punish the earlier offense; it is, rather, ‘ “ ‘a stiffened penalty for the last crime, which is considered to be an aggravated offense because a repetitive one.’ ” ’ [Citation.] . . . By placing the defendant’s conduct on one occasion into the context of a business practice or policy, an individual plaintiff can demonstrate that the conduct toward him or her was more blameworthy and warrants a stronger penalty to deter continued or repeated conduct of the same nature.” (Id. at pp. 1206–1207, fn. 6.) Stonebridge argues that this reprehensibility factor is absent here because the record lacks any evidence that it was aware that the “Necessary Treatment” definition was unenforceable at the time it denied Nickerson’s and others’ claims for that reason. Thus, Stonebridge argues, it did not
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enforce a policy provision it knew was unenforceable. It goes without saying that if Stonebridge seeks to do business in California it must follow California law. (See Cal. Code Regs., tit. 10, § 2695.1, subd. (e) [governing unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the business of insurance and stating, “All licensees, as defined in these regulations, shall have thorough knowledge of the regulations contained in this subchapter”].) It has long been the law in California that “Any provision purporting to limit coverage must be ‘ “conspicuous, plain and clear.” ’ [Citation.]” (Holcomb v. Hartford Casualty Ins. Co. (1991) 230 Cal.App.3d 1000, 1006; accord, State Farm Mut. Auto Ins. Co. v. Jacober (1973) 10 Cal.3d 193, 201-202.) Merely because those prior similar incidents did not result in an earlier finding of bad faith does not entitle Stonebridge to keep this clause in the policy with impunity until a court finds it is unenforceable. Historical evidence shows prior similar incidents in which Stonebridge relied on the “Necessary Treatment” definition to limit coverage. The focus of this reprehensibility factor is on “the frequency and profitability of the defendant’s prior or contemporaneous similar conduct.” (Johnson v. Ford Motor Co., supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1207; Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker, supra, 554 U.S. at p. 494.) The evidence shows that Stonebridge did profit repeatedly thereby. This reprehensibility factor weighs against the insurer.3
3 Stonebridge argues that the discovery sanction order and instruction to the jury that it did not comply with two court orders to produce documents cannot be used to support a reprehensibility finding because its litigation conduct was not the subject of the bad faith claim upon which the punitive damages award was premised. (De Anza Santa Cruz Mobile Estates Homeowners Assn. v. De Anza Santa Cruz Mobile Estates (2001) 94 Cal.App.4th 890, 918.) Regardless of whether the jury
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(v) The harm was the result of intentional deceit, not mere accident. Turning to the fifth factor, the harm Nickerson suffered as the result of Stonebridge’s conduct was not accidental, but the result of a deceitful practice designed to deny him his policy benefits. The jury found Stonebridge engaged in fraud, defined in the instructions thusly, “ ‘Fraud’ means that Stonebridge . . . intentionally misrepresented or concealed a material fact and did so, intending to harm . . . Nickerson.” Thus, the jury found Stonebridge engaged in “intentional misrepresentation, deceit, or concealment” (Civ. Code, § 3294, subd. (c)(3), italics added), and so Stonebridge’s conduct was necessarily not accidental.4
improperly folded this fact into its calculation of the punitive damage award, we do not consider Stonebridge’s litigation conduct in our de novo determination of whether the remitted punitive damage award is constitutionally defensible under the due process clause. 4 In challenging this reprehensibility factor, Stonebridge relies on Amerigraphics, supra, 182 Cal.App.4th 1538. Amerigraphics held that the defendant Mercury’s offensive claims-handling conduct “ultimately involved only one insured” and the evidence fell short of demonstrating the insurer defendant’s conduct constituted “intentional malice.” (Id. at p. 1563.) The court reasoned although the insurers’ claims- handling was egregious, the evidence did not “suggest that Mercury was guided by this goal from the outset.” (Ibid.) Stonebridge’s reliance is misplaced. Unlike Amerigraphics, Stonebridge’s denial of coverage was the result of a concerted practice of wrongfully relying on an unenforceable policy provision and bad faith claims-handling practice that affected others. Stonebridge’s denials either predated or were
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Stonebridge contends there is no evidence it committed fraud, with the result there is no basis for the predicate finding justifying any punitive damage award. (Civ. Code, § 3294, subd. (a).) We disagree. In the context of punitive damages, “[a]ll that is required is that the fraud must equate to the conduct which gives rise to liability – in this case bad faith. [Citation.]” (Notrica v. State Comp. Ins. Fund (1999) 70 Cal.App.4th 911, 947-948.) Civil Code section 3294 defines fraud as “an intentional misrepresentation, deceit, or concealment of a material fact known to the defendant with the intention on the part of the defendant of thereby depriving a person of property or legal rights or otherwise causing injury.” (Civ. Code, § 3294, subd. (c)(3).) The defendant must have “actively sought an injury to” the plaintiff’s rights, and “not [be] merely indifferent to” those rights. (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1181.) We are guided by the basic rules of appellate review (Gyerman v. United States Lines Co. (1972) 7 Cal.3d 488, 492, fn. 1) that do not limit us to the evidence specified in closing argument. Accordingly, the historical evidence shows first that Stonebridge limited the scope of its promise of coverage by burying it in the definition of “Necessary Treatment,” which constitutes a concealment designed to increase Stonebridge’s profits by depriving policy holders of their policy benefits. Second, Stonebridge’s practice was never to authorize peer reviewers to communicate with treating physicians, thus intentionally concealing material information from the claims’ functional decision-maker so as to limit the amount Stonebridge
contemporaneous with its denial of Nickerson’s claim. Stated otherwise, this was Stonebridge’s goal from the outset.
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would have to pay out on its policies.5 With particular reference to Nickerson, Stonebridge deliberately withheld Dr. Nguyen’s letter from its peer reviewer. As Stonebridge requested his medical records, Nickerson would reasonably understand that his physician’s treatment decisions would be considered by the peer reviewer. Stonebridge was required to fully inquire into possible bases that might support Nickerson’s claim. (Egan v. Mutual of Omaha Ins. Co. (1979) 24 Cal.3d 809, 819.) Instead, in withholding Dr. Nguyen’s letter from the outside reviewer, Hammer screened the mail to be sent to the reviewer and made what is essentially a medical decision that the letter contained no new information. Insurers may not ignore the opinion of treating physicians absent a showing the physician’s judgment is either “plainly unreasonable, or contrary to good medical practice.” (Sarchett v. Blue Shield of California, supra, 43 Cal.3d at p. 13.) By obstructing unfettered communication between the treating physician and the reviewer, Stonebridge deprived Nickerson of his legal right to his policy proceeds. Stonebridge disagrees that its failure to check the box on the transmittal form allowing the peer reviewer to speak with the treating physician constituted fraud. Stonebridge argues the box refers only to the “ ‘type of review’ ” requested and otherwise it
5 In its supplemental briefs, Stonebridge points to Hammer’s testimony that the insurer does not have a policy of prohibiting reviewing doctors from consulting with treating physicians. Nonetheless, the jury was entitled to infer that Stonebridge had a custom and practice of never checking the box allowing the peer reviewer to consult with the treating physician given Hammer’s testimony that neither she nor anyone at Stonebridge had ever requested a reviewer contact the treating physician.
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had no obligation to ensure that the peer reviewer speak with the primary care physician. Stonebridge adds that in any event the peer reviewer received all the medical records of Nickerson’s hospital treatment. However, the box authorizing this communication exists on the transmittal form and so the failure to check it precludes contact and erects a barrier to the free flow of pertinent communication. “ ‘Jurors, not appellate justices, hear the evidence and determine the facts. Properly instructed, they are the primary arbiters of acceptable behavior between an insurer and its insured. It is they, with their collective understanding of the limits of what decent citizens ought to have to tolerate, who are charged with assessing the degree of reprehensibility and meting out an appropriate financial disincentive for untoward claims practices. Their authority is not unbridled. However, our role in reviewing the jury’s work is a deferential one.’ ” (Amerigraphics, supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at p. 1560.) Here, substantial evidence supports the jury’s finding Stonebridge committed fraud as defined in Civil Code section 3294, subdivision (c)(3) to justify punitive damages in the first place. In turn, this evidence demonstrates the fifth reprehensibility factor, namely that “the harm [Nickerson suffered] was the result of intentional . . . deceit,” and not mere accident. (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 419.) To summarize, four of the five aggravating factors of reprehensibility are present here. Based on Stonebridge’s conduct, we conclude its culpability is sufficiently reprehensible as to warrant the imposition of sanctions to punish and deter. (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 419.)
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b. Comparable civil penalties Considering the third guidepost next, it requires us to consider “the difference between the punitive damages awarded by the jury and the civil penalties authorized or imposed in comparable cases.” (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 418.) The trial court here relied on penalties imposed by the Department of Insurance of $10 million and $3.6 million. While we may consider both civil penalties actually imposed and those authorized in comparable cases (Boeken v. Philip Morris, Inc. (2005) 127 Cal.App.4th 1640, 1699), the penalties the trial court considered are not analogous to this situation because they involved the wrongful rescission of entire medical insurance policies, not the wrongful restriction of coverage. Rather than pointing us to a penalty that parallels this case, Nickerson concedes that this guidepost “is of limited utility,” where Stonebridge is only liable for breach of a common law tort duty. (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1184.) Therefore, we do not consider this guidepost in “the calculus of the constitutional maximum of punitive damages.” (Amerigraphics, supra, 182 Cal.App.4th at p. 1566.) c. The ratio of punitive damages to actual or potential harm (i) The legal principles Turning to the second of the Gore guideposts, the ratio between punitive and compensatory damages is “a central feature in [the] due process analysis.” (Exxon Shipping Co. v. Baker, supra, 554 U.S. at p. 507, italics added.) It is likewise the central issue in this appeal. Nickerson contends that the punitive damage award should be fixed at greater than the 10:1 ratio the trial court employed. Stonebridge contends in its briefs that a
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ratio of 10:1 was excessive under the State Farm guidelines and the facts of this case. (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 418.) Punitive damages must bear a “ ‘reasonable relationship’ ” to compensatory damages or to the plaintiff’s actual or potential harm. (Gore, supra, 517 U.S. at pp. 575, 580; State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at pp. 424-426; accord, Bullock v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., supra, 198 Cal.App.4th at p. 563.) “[C]ourts must ensure that the measure of punishment is both reasonable and proportionate to the amount of harm to the plaintiff and to the general damages recovered.” (State Farm, supra, at p. 426.) The Supreme Court has “consistently rejected the notion that the constitutional line is marked by a simple mathematical formula,” and “reiterate[d its] rejection of a categorical approach.” (Gore, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 582.) Although repeatedly declining to establish a ratio beyond which a punitive damage award could not exceed (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at pp. 424-425), the high court found “instructive” decisions approving ratios of four to one, and recognized that in the past, “few awards exceeding a single- digit ratio between punitive and compensatory damages, to a significant degree, will satisfy due process.” (Id. at p. 425.) In California, our Supreme Court discerned the following presumption from the high court’s endorsement of single-digit ratios: “ratios between the punitive damages award and the plaintiff’s actual or potential compensatory damages significantly greater than 9 or 10 to 1 are suspect and, absent special justification (by, for example, extreme reprehensibility or unusually small, hard-to-detect or hard-to-measure compensatory damages), cannot survive appellate scrutiny under the due process clause.” (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1182, italics added, fn. omitted.) Although “a ratio significantly greater than
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single digits ‘alerts the court[] to the need for special justification’ [citations]” (ibid.) “the presumption of unconstitutionality applies only to awards exceeding the single-digit level ‘to a significant degree.’ ” (Id. at p. 1182, fn. 7, quoting from State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 425, italics added.) Yet, multipliers of less than nine or 10 “are not . . . presumptively valid under State Farm . . . [e]specially when the compensatory damages are substantial or already contain a punitive element. . . . [Citation.]” (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1182, first italics added.) Our Supreme Court disagreed that a multiplier of four times the compensatory damages was the “ ‘outer constitutional limit,’ ” because State Farm declared that “ ‘these ratios are not binding,’ but only ‘instructive.’ [Citation.]” (Id. at pp. 1182-1183; quoting from State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 425.) Our “ ‘function is to police a range, not a point’ [citation].” (Simon, supra, at p. 1183.) The message to be gleaned is that the due process analysis is flexible and depends on the circumstances in determining proportionality. (See State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 425; Gore, supra, 517 U.S. at p. 582; Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1189.) As State Farm explicated, “because there are no rigid benchmarks that a punitive damages award may not surpass, ratios greater than those we have previously upheld may comport with due process where ‘a particularly egregious act has resulted in only a small amount of economic damages.’ [Citations.] (positing that a higher ratio might be necessary where ‘the injury is hard to detect or the monetary value of noneconomic harm might have been difficult to determine’). The converse is also true, however. When compensatory damages are substantial, then a lesser ratio, perhaps only equal to compensatory damages,
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can reach the outermost limit of the due process guarantee. The precise award in any case, of course, must be based upon the facts and circumstances of the defendant’s conduct and the harm to the plaintiff.” (State Farm, supra, at p. 425, quoting Gore, supra, at p. 582; see Simon, supra, at p. 1182.) In short, “whether punitive damages must be limited to the amount of compensatory damages, or any other amount, to satisfy due process depends on the reviewing court’s consideration of the three guideposts and the defendant’s financial condition, and the facts and circumstances in each case.” (Bullock v. Philip Morris USA, Inc., supra, 198 Cal.App.4th at p. 565.) (ii) Based on these principles, the trial court’s remittitur falls within the maximum permitted by due process.6 Simon involved a defendant who was found to have committed promissory fraud that stymied the plaintiff’s attempt to purchase an office building from the defendant. (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1166.) The jury awarded the plaintiff $5,000 in compensatory damages and $1.7 million in punitive damages. (Ibid.) The Supreme Court applied the Gore guideposts and concluded only one of the five reprehensibility factors was present (id. at p. 1181), and the compensatory award was “quite small,” consisting of only economic damages that measured the actual harm done to the plaintiff and containing no punitive element (id. at p. 1189). Simon determined that the “nature and size of the compensatory award . . . militates for a maximum award at the top of, but not significantly beyond, the single-digit range,” and
6 Clearly, the jury’s award here, which amounts to a ratio of 543:1 is “ ‘breathtaking’ ” and “far outside the ‘single-digit neighborhood’ [citation] suggested by the high court in State Farm.” (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1183.)
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concluded a ratio of 10 to 1 was consistent with due process. (Ibid.) The Supreme Court explained, “[i]n some cases, the defendant’s financial condition may combine with high reprehensibility and a low compensatory award to justify an extraordinary ratio between compensatory and punitive damages. [Citation.]” (Id. at p. 1186.) That is exactly what occurred here: Stonebridge’s conduct evinces a higher level of reprehensibility than in Simon; four out of the five reprehensibility factors are present here. Nickerson received a small amount of compensatory damages for his personal injury, for which the monetary value was difficult to determine because, as the trial court noted, Nickerson was “stoic” during his testimony. Nickerson’s $35,000 tort award contains no punitive element as that award was to compensate him for his emotional distress, not to punish Stonebridge. Unlike State Farm, where the plaintiffs were fully compensated for their economic injury before the lawsuit was brought and so their substantial emotional distress award was solely punitive in nature (State Farm, supra, 538 U.S. at p. 426), Nickerson’s $35,000 award only compensates him for the personal injuries he suffered from Stonebridge’s bad faith. (See also Walker v. Farmers Ins. Exchange (2007) 153 Cal.App.4th 965, 974 [plaintiffs recovered substantial economic damages and emotional distress damages containing a punitive element].) Based on our application of the Gore guideposts to the facts and circumstances of this case, Stonebridge’s reprehensible conduct that resulted in only a relatively small economic damage award, and Stonebridge’s $368 million net worth, a significant ratio of punitive to compensatory damages comports with due process. We hold the trial court properly remitted the jury’s
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award to the outside constitutional limit of a 10:1 ratio of punitive to compensatory damages. Nickerson and Amicus Curiae, United Policyholders, argue that in view of the small size of the compensatory damages awarded Nickerson, a ratio of something larger than the 10:1 in the remittitur is called for. They point to the trial court’s concern that where Stonebridge’s conduct was highly reprehensible, a multiplier of 10 to 1 may function simply as a cost of doing business. Thus, they argue, the court should have fixed a larger ratio to achieve a more effective deterrent. While we agree with Nickerson and Amicus Curiae that Stonebridge may fold this award into its cost of doing business, we also agree with the trial court that we are constrained by case law and the Constitution. The nature and size of Nickerson’s compensatory damage award does not justify a punitive damage award beyond the constitutional maximum. While Stonebridge’s financial condition is an essential consideration to be factored into our analysis, it alone cannot justify exceeding what due process will allow. We have considered these facts in our analysis. We conclude that 10:1 is the maximum constitutionally defensible ratio. d. The Brandt fees As noted, pursuant to the parties’ stipulation, the trial court fixed the amount of Brandt fees at $12,500 and awarded that amount, but did not include those fees as compensatory damages when it calculated the punitive damage award. Our Supreme Court has since held that Brandt fees awarded by the trial court after the jury has rendered its verdict are properly included as compensatory damages in the ratio of compensatory to punitive damages under the due process clause analysis. (Nickerson v. Stonebridge Life Ins. Co., supra, 63 Cal.4th at pp.
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371 & 377.) Accordingly, pursuant to the Supreme Court’s decision (id. at p. 368), we conclude that the Brandt fees should be included as compensatory damages in the denominator of the ratio under the due process clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. e. Additional considerations To alter the ratio of punitive to compensatory damages, Nickerson contends the trial court erred in failing to measure the punitive damage award against additional categories of compensatory damages, i.e., uncompensated potential harm and the policy benefits. We disagree. First, Nickerson was fully compensated for his emotional distress injuries, as he acknowledged in closing argument, and he does not demonstrate what potential harm went uncompensated. (See Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1174 [appellant identified $400,000 in uncompensated harm].) Second, the trial court properly declined to include the policy benefits in its ratio calculation as punitive damages are not authorized in contract actions. (Major v. Western Home Ins. Co. (2009) 169 Cal.App.4th 1197, 1224.) Stonebridge asserts that its net worth “cannot justify an otherwise unconstitutionally permissible ratio.” As noted, under California law, one of “the essential factor[s] in fixing an amount” of a punitive damage award is “the defendant’s financial condition” so as to “serve these goals [of punitive damage awards] without exceeding the necessary level of punishment.” (Simon, supra, 35 Cal.4th at p. 1185.) “ ‘[O]bviously, the function of deterrence . . . will not be served if the wealth of the defendant allows him to absorb the award with little or no discomfort.’ [Citation.] ‘[P]unitive damage awards should not be a routine cost of doing business that an industry can simply pass on to its customers through price increases, while continuing the conduct
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the law proscribes.’ [Citation.]” (Id. at p. 1185.) Stonebridge’s net worth of $368 million does not justify an impermissible ratio, but it certainly factors into the determination of the maximum ratio tolerated by the Constitution. DISPOSITION The order denying the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict is affirmed. The order granting new trial is vacated. The trial court is directed to modify the June 13, 2011 judgment by reducing the punitive damage award to $475,000. As modified, the judgment is affirmed. Nickerson is to recover costs. CERTIFIED FOR PUBLICATION
ALDRICH, J.
We concur:
EDMON, P. J.
STRATTON, J.
Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice pursuant to article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.
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AI Brief
AI-generated · verify before citing
Holding. The court held that attorney fees awarded under Brandt v. Superior Court must be included as compensatory damages when calculating the ratio of punitive to compensatory damages for due process purposes. Consequently, the court modified the judgment to include these fees and affirmed the punitive damage award as modified.
Issues
Whether attorney fees awarded under Brandt v. Superior Court should be included as compensatory damages when assessing the constitutionality of a punitive damage award.
Whether the trial court's remittitur of punitive damages to a 10:1 ratio comports with due process.
Disposition. modified and affirmed
Quotations verified verbatim against the opinion
“The Supreme Court held only that the Brandt fees should be included as compensatory damages in the ratio calculation irrespective of whether such fees were awarded by the trial court or the jury.”
“Pursuant to the opinion of the Supreme Court, we hold that the Brandt fees should be included in the compensatory damages, modify the judgment and, as modified, affirm it.”