Title: Tucker v. Wilson

State: ohio

Issuer: Ohio Supreme Court

Document:

[Cite as Tucker v. Wilson, 100 Ohio St.3d 360, 2003-Ohio-6742.] 
 
 
TUCKER ET AL., APPELLEES, v. WILSON ET AL.; LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE 
COMPANY, APPELLANT. 
[Cite as Tucker v. Wilson, 100 Ohio St.3d 360, 2003-Ohio-6742.] 
Insurance — Automobile liability insurance — Uninsured/underinsured motorist 
coverage — Employer’s commercial automobile liability policy covers 
loss sustained by employee only if loss occurs within the course and scope 
of employment — Court of appeals’ judgment reversed on authority of 
Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis. 
(No. 2002-1956 — Submitted October 22, 2003, at the Clinton County Session — 
Decided December 31, 2003.) 
APPEAL from the Court of Appeals for Clermont County, No. CA2002-01-002, 
2002-Ohio-5142. 
__________________ 
{¶1} 
The judgment of the court of appeals is reversed on the authority of 
Westfield Ins. Co. v. Galatis, 100 Ohio St.3d 216, 2003-Ohio-5849, 797 N.E.2d 
1256. 
 
MOYER, C.J., LUNDBERG STRATTON, O’CONNOR and O’DONNELL, JJ., 
concur. 
 
RESNICK, F.E. SWEENEY and PFEIFER, JJ., dissent. 
__________________ 
 
PFEIFER, J., dissenting. 
{¶2} 
Certainly, this court’s recent decision in Westfield Ins. Co. v. 
Galatis, 100 Ohio St.3d 216, 2003-Ohio-5849, 797 N.E.2d 1256, was momentous, 
for all sorts of reasons.  However, it is not a legal Rosetta Stone, unlocking the 
mysteries and resolving all of the issues that exist in the area of insurance law.  
The within case presented us the opportunity to address the issue of so-called 
SUPREME COURT OF OHIO 
2 
fronting policies, insurance policies issued to corporations where the deductible is 
equal to the amount of coverage.  We leave unanswered today the important 
questions regarding the rights and obligations of the parties to such contracts. 
 
RESNICK and F.E. SWEENEY, JJ., concur in the foregoing dissenting 
opinion. 
__________________ 
 
Peeler, McGary & Zopff Co., L.P.A., Robert W. Peeler and Karen S. 
Donnelly, for appellees. 
 
Reminger & Reminger Co., L.P.A., Robert W. Hojnoski and Clifford C. 
Masch, for appellant. 
 
Connelly, Jackson & Collier, L.L.P., and Anthony E. Turley, urging 
affirmance for amicus curiae Ohio Academy of Trial Lawyers. 
 
Smith, Phillips & Associates and Janet L. Phillips, urging affirmance for 
amicus curiae Franklin County Trial Lawyers Association. 
 
Bricker & Eckler, L.L.P., Kurtis A. Tunnell, Anne Marie Sferra and 
Vladimir P. Belo, urging reversal for amici curiae American Insurance 
Association, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio Manufacturers Association, Ohio 
Chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business, Ohio Chemistry 
Technology Council, and Ohio Hospital Association. 
 
Davis & Young, Martin J. Murphy and Richard M. Garner, urging reversal 
for amicus curiae Parker Hannifin Corporation. 
 
Glowacki & Associates Co., L.P.A., James L. Glowacki, James J. 
Imbrigiotta and Christopher M. Corrigan, urging reversal for amicus curiae 
Roadway Express Corporation. 
 
Janik & Dorman, L.L.P., Steven G. Janik and Matthew J. Grimm, urging 
reversal for amici curiae Member Companies of the American International 
Group, Inc. 
January Term, 2003 
3 
 
Zeiger & Carpenter, L.L.P., and Daniel R. Mordarski, urging reversal for 
amicus curiae General Motors Corporation. 
 
Dinsmore & Shohl, L.L.P., Alan H. Abes and Amy M. Scholl, urging 
reversal for amicus curiae Procter & Gamble Company. 
 
Reminger & Reminger Co., L.P.A., D. Patrick Kasson, Amy S. Thomas 
and Paul-Michael La Fayette, urging reversal for amici curiae Speedway 
Superamerica, L.L.C., Marathon Ashland Petroleum, L.L.C., and Marathon Oil 
Corporation.