Opinion ID: 1645659
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Evidence of American's Liability

Text: In addressing the threshold issue of liability, the court of appeal concluded the correspondence directed by Stolthaven's defense counsel to plaintiffs' attorney during the course of discovery, coupled with the same memorandum of insurance which accompanied the two letters, constituted sufficient proof to confirm the default judgment under Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure article 1702, in the absence of the submission of the actual policy of insurance between American and Stolthaven. [12] The first letter, dated May 24, 2005, provides: Please find enclosed the Memorandum of Insurance received from insurance broker Jardine Lloyd Thompson LLC which shows Stolthaven New Orleans LLC is insured with American Home Assurance Company. This Memorandum of insurance should answer your additional discovery requests. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thereafter, as evidenced by a change of address notice filed in the record, defense counsel for Stolthaven appears to have changed law firms and, on August 4, 2005, a different signatory sent another letter to plaintiff's attorney, which states: As requested, enclosed is a copy of the Memorandum of Insurance dated May 10, 2005. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to let me know. With kindest regards, I am The memorandum of insurance at issue in these proceedings is dated May 10, 2005, and allegedly executed by Jardine Lloyd Thompson L.L.C., an insurance broker. Specifically, the memorandum of insurance provides: The policies of insurance listed below have been effected for the insured named below for the policy period indicated. Notwithstanding any requirement, term or condition of any contract or other document with respect to which this memorandum may be issued or may pertain, the insurance afforded by the policies described herein is subject to all the terms, exclusions and conditions of such policies. Limits shown may have been reduced by paid claims. .... This memorandum of insurance is issued as a matter of information only and confers no rights upon the Memorandum Holder. This Memorandum of Insurance does not amend, extend or alter the coverage afforded by the policy(ies) shown hereon. [13] The memorandum specifies Stolthaven as the insured and American as the insurer for General Liabilities Policy No. ARS-3054. The memorandum lists the Type of Insurance as Commercial General Liabilities, with a Policy Period of 1 Dec 2001[,] 1 Sep 2003, and the Agreed Value or Limits of Liability as US$1,000,000 per occurrence[,] US$2,000,000 general aggregate[,] excess of US$250,000 per occurrence[.] Nothing further is provided. Specifically, there is no indication on the memorandum of insurance of its connection to any party or on whose authority the document was issued. Finally, there is a disclaimer that provides: Jardine Lloyd Thompson LLC are not insurers hereunder, and Jardine Lloyd Thompson LLC are not nor shall be in any way or to any extent liable for loss or claim whatsoever in connection with the policies evidenced hereon.