Opinion ID: 1203563
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Earth Movement

Text: Allied's multi-peril policy expressly states as follows: This policy does not insure under this form against: D. Loss caused by, resulting from, contributed to or aggravated by any of the following: 1. earth movement, including but not limited to earthquake, landslide, mudflow, earth sinking, earth rising, or shifting.... The issue of whether the loss was occasioned by earth movement as maintained by F & G or earth pressure as maintained by Allied, constituted a significant part of this litigation. At trial, Allied presented five expert witnesses who testified that excessive earth pressure was the sole cause of the structural failure of the warehouse. Each expert also specifically testified that earth movement and water pressure did not contribute to the warehouse damage. F & G maintained, however, that the trial court erred in not sustaining its motion to strike after Allied presented its evidence because the earth behind the retaining wall obviously had to shift when the rear wall moved, thereby contributing to or aggravating the loss. As such, the loss specifically was excluded under the policy. The trial court, however, determined that whether Allied's loss was a result of earth movement or earth pressure was a question of fact for the jury to resolve. We agree. The causation of a loss in this instance, as in most instances, is a factual determination, one appropriately submitted to the determination of the trier of fact. Am. Nat. Ins. Co. v. Branch, 168 Va. 478, 191 S.E. 668 (1937). The expert witnesses presented by Allied explained the difference between earth pressure and earth movement. Dr. R.G. Larew testified that there are two types of earth pressure. Earth pressure at rest is a condition where soil has not had an opportunity to stretch because it is restrained by a barrier such as a wall. Active earth pressure involves the soil stretching, which allows the soil to carry some of its own weight and reduce the pressure. He testified that a wall ordinarily is designed to move slightly to accommodate active earth pressure. If a wall does not accommodate active earth pressure, the soil does not stretch and bear any of its own weight. Consequently the pressure on the wall is intensified. Dr. Larew indicated that, in his opinion, the failure of the rear wall of the building was due to the extensive pressure of the soil, or earth pressure at rest. He described it as a phenomenon distinct from earth movement which he described as movements which can be seen on the face of the earth and which result in scarring of the earth. F & G's expert testified that earth pressure could exist independently of any earth movement. On the basis of this testimony, there was adequate evidence for the jury to determine that Allied's loss was caused by earth pressure rather than earth movement.