Source: s3://data.kl3m.ai/documents/govinfo/USCOURTS/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-01377/USCOURTS-caed-2_14-cv-01377-1/pdf.json

Nature of Suit Code: 110
Nature of Suit: Insurance
Cause of Action: 28:2201 Declaratory Judgement (Insurance)

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ROGER W. CLARK, ESQUIRE (#108982) 

Email: Rclark@cgold.cc

ROBERT D. GOLDBERG, ESQUIRE (#137356) 

Email: Rgoldberg@cgold.cc

THE CLARK LAW GROUP 

11355 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 303 

Los Angeles, California 90064 

Telephone: (310) 478-0077 

Facsimile: (310) 478-0099 

Attorneys for Plaintiff 

HOUSTON CASUALTY COMPANY 

 UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT 

EASTERN DISTRICT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

HOUSTON CASUALTY COMPANY, 

Plaintiff, 

vs. 

STEVE METHENY; LEVI PHILLIPS, 

and MATTHEW JOHN VASSEL; and 

DOES 1 to 10, inclusive, 

Defendants. 

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CASE NO. 2:14-cv-01377-KJM-CMK 

Related Matter: 2:13-cv-02520-KJM-CMK 

STIPULATED JUDGMENT AND 

ORDER

_________________________________) 

Case 2:14-cv-01377-KJM-CMK Document 29 Filed 02/25/15 Page 1 of 5
 

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This Stipulated Judgment is entered into by and between plaintiff HOUSTON CASUALTY 

COMPANY, a Texas corporation (hereinafter “HCC”) on the one hand and defendant LEVI 

PHILLIPS (“Phillips”) on the other pursuant to the terms of the Settlement Agreement dated February 

16, 2015. 

 1. The Carson Policy 

On or about April 1, 2008, Houston Casualty issued to Carson Helicopters, Inc. and Carson 

Helicopter Services, Inc. (the “Carson Companies”) as a Named Insured an aviation insurance policy, 

policy number 013755-016, originally effective April 1, 2008 to April 1, 2009 (hereinafter the “Carson 

Policy”). Phillips was an employee of the Carson Companies and an insured under the Carson Policy. 

2. The Accident

On August 5, 2008, Sikorsky S-61N helicopter with federal registration number N612AZ (“the 

Accident Aircraft”) crashed while being flown from a helispot designated as H-44 in Trinity County, 

California (“the Accident”). The Accident Aircraft was scheduled under the Carson Policy. Seven 

firefighters, the Carson pilot and a United States Forest Service employee were killed in the Accident. 

The Carson co-pilot and three firefighters were seriously injured. 

 3. The Vassel Action 

 Plaintiff Matthew John Vassel (“Vassel”), an employee with the United States Fire Service 

brought suit against the Carson Companies, Steve Metheny and Phillips in the United States District 

Court for the Eastern District of California on December 5, 2013, alleging a single claim for fraud and 

deceit against all defendants (“the Vassel Lawsuit”). Phillips tendered his defense of the Vassel 

Lawsuit to HCC. 

4. Declaratory Judgment Action 

 HCC filed a complaint for declaratory judgment naming Vassel, Metheny and Phillips, 

requesting that the court make a determination on the coverage dispute that the Carson Policy does not 

Case 2:14-cv-01377-KJM-CMK Document 29 Filed 02/25/15 Page 2 of 5
 

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apply to the claims alleged against Metheny and Phillips in the Lawsuit, and therefore Houston 

Casualty has no duty to defend or indemnify the defendants in the Vassel Lawsuit. 

5. Settlement Agreement 

On February 16, 2015, Houston Casualty entered into a Settlement Agreement (“Agreement”) 

with Phillips under which Phillips fully released HCC from all claims arising out of the Accident and 

the Carson Policy. 

6. Disclaimer of Coverage. 

Phillips acknowledges and agrees that no coverage exists under the Carson Policy for claims 

alleged against Phillips in the Vassel Lawsuit, and that Phillips is not entitled to a defense or indemnity 

from Houston Casualty against any claims alleged against him in the Vassel Lawsuit. 

7. Entry of Judgment. 

A Stipulated Judgment shall be entered in favor of HCC and against Phillips in the above 

referenced action with each party to bear its own fees and costs. 

Case 2:14-cv-01377-KJM-CMK Document 29 Filed 02/25/15 Page 3 of 5
 

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IT IS SO STIPULATED. 

DATED: February 16, 2015 THE CLARK LAW GROUP 

 By: ___s/Roger W. Clark______________ 

 ROGER W. CLARK 

 Attorneys for Plaintiff 

HOUSTON CASUALTY COMPANY 

DATED: February 16, 2015 THE RYAN LAW GROUP 

 By: _s/Timothy J. Ryan____________ 

 TIMOTHY J. RYAN 

 Attorneys for Defendant 

LEVI PHILLIPS 

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JUDGMENT AND ORDER 

 Based upon the stipulation of the parties and good cause being shown, judgment is entered in 

favor of Plaintiff Houston Casualty Company and against Defendant Levi Phillips. Each party is to 

bear its own costs and fees. 

IT IS SO ORDERED. 

DATED: February 24, 2015 

Case 2:14-cv-01377-KJM-CMK Document 29 Filed 02/25/15 Page 5 of 5