Opinion ID: 1324616
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: Mr. Miralles was employed as a Community Services Specialist with the Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living (hereinafter Center for Independent Living), a non-profit organization. [1] On November 18, 1999, Mr. Miralles was driving his own automobile from meetings he attended on behalf of his employer when he was involved in a serious automobile accident. As a result of the accident, Mr. Miralles sustained grave and permanent injuries. [2] To date, Mr. Miralles has incurred medical expenses in excess of $780,000.00. Following the accident, Mr. Miralles made claims against Lloyd L. Snoderly, the at-fault driver, and Mr. Snoderly's employer, Penelope Sue Zangari, doing business as P & R Trucking, Inc. [3] Mr. and Mrs. Miralles entered into a settlement agreement with these defendants on or about October 5, 2000, for $1 million, which represents the applicable insurance policy's limits of liability. On or about October 25, 2000, Mr. and Mrs. Miralles also settled their claim for underinsured motorist (UIM) benefits under their own automobile insurance policy, for $100,000.00. Additionally, Mr. Miralles, whose injuries occurred in the course of his employment with the Center for Independent Living, received workers' compensation benefits. [4] Eventually, Mr. Miralles sought UIM benefits under the Center for Independent Living's automobile insurance policy, which was purchased from National Union through the West Virginia Board of Risk and Insurance Management (hereinafter the Board), pursuant to W.Va.Code § 29-12-5 [1996]. More precisely, the Center for Independent Living was issued a Certificate of Liability Insurance by the Board pursuant to the insurance policy issued to the State of West Virginia. The circuit court found that the subject policy included `business auto' coverage with an underinsured [UIM] endorsement. Finding of Fact No. 6, December 4, 2002 Order. [5] The comprehensive business automobile policy issued to the Center for Independent Living included, in relevant part, West Virginia Uninsured and Underinsured Motorists Coverage: We will pay all sums the `insured' is legally entitled to recover as compensatory damages from the owner or driver of an `uninsured' or `underinsured motor vehicle.' It is undisputed that Mr. Miralles is an other insured as defined in the Certificate of Liability Insurance issued to the Center for Independent Living. [6] The policy at issue also includes Endorsement # 11, Amendments to Uninsured Motorists and Underinsured Motorists Coverage, which provides: Section C-Exclusions is amended to add: [This insurance does not apply to any of the following:] 8. Any obligation for which the `insured' may be held liable under any workers' compensation, disability benefits or unemployment compensation law or any similar law. By letter dated June 22, 2000, National Union, through its authorized representative, AIG Claim Services, Inc., disclaimed [UIM] coverage to Mr. Miralles based upon Endorsement # 11, above (hereinafter the workers' compensation exclusion). As a result, Mr. and Mrs. Miralles instituted the instant declaratory judgment action in the Circuit Court of Monongalia County for the purpose of determining whether Mr. Miralles is entitled to UIM benefits in this case. By order entered December 4, 2002, the circuit court granted summary judgment in favor of National Union, concluding, inter alia, that because Mr. Miralles received workers' compensation benefits for his injuries resulting from the subject automobile accident, the workers' compensation exclusion in the subject insurance policy clearly and unambiguously precludes Mr. and Mrs. Miralles from also receiving underinsured motorist benefits. [7] It is from this December 4, 2002 order that Mr. and Mrs. Miralles now appeal.