Opinion ID: 1828624
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Coverage

Text: Travelers issued a liability policy to the city of New Orleans and the Sewerage and Water Board which was in effect until May 25, 1963. The policy was renewed on that date for a one-year period. At all times during the construction activity, therefore, one of these two policies was in effect. Each policy affords coverage for $50,000 per occurrence and $100,000 aggregate for operations conducted by independent contractors. Each policy also contained an endorsement titled Occurrence (Bodily Injury and Property Damage) which provides: SUCH INSURANCE AS IS AFFORDED BY THE POLICY FOR BODILY INJURY LIABILITY AND FOR PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY APPLY SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS: 1. In Insuring Agreement I, the words and caused by accident are deleted. 2. The term occurrence is substituted for accident wherever else it appears,. . . 3. Occurrence means either an accident or a continuous or repeated exposure to conditions which results during the policy period in injury to person or real or tangible property which is accidentally caused. All damages arising out of such exposure to substantially the same general conditions shall be considered as arising out of one occurrence. Counsel for Travelers argues that the work carried on by the Sewerage and Water Board and Boh Brothers falls within the definition of a single occurrence, for it is, in fact, an exposure to substantially the same general conditions. Therefore, each policy limit of $50,000 is applicable. The record reflects that the construction started at Florida Avenue and proceeded down Louisa Street in the direction of Claiborne Avenue and the River. On May 25, 1963, the date the second Travelers policy became effective and the first one terminated, work had progressed as far as the intersection of Louisa and North Tonti Streets. This means the construction work had progressed four blocks, and obviously could only effect the owners of property within that area of the job. The buildings affected are those in the 2300, 2400, 2500 and 2600 blocks of Louisa Street; and, of course, all claims for damage on cross streets within that area. The remaining plaintiffs would necessarily fall under the terms of the second Travelers policy effective May 25, 1963. As our finding of fact shows, this job began on December 4, 1962 and was accepted as completed in March 1964. Little help is afforded by the cases in this State on this issue. We do find, however, that when the word occurrence is substituted for accident, as here, the intention manifested by this change is to broaden coverage. Hospital Service District No. 1 v. Delta Gas, Inc., 171 So.2d 293 (La.App.1965). See also Stevens Industries, Inc. v. Maryland Casualty Co., 391 F.2d 411 (5th Cir. 1968). As a rational matter, however, it can hardly be said that this construction project lasting more than one year is a single occurrence within the contemplation of the quoted clause. Rather, we think it is more logical to view this project as a series of occurrences resulting in damages during the course of this prolonged undertaking. The word occurrence as used in the policy must be construed from the point of view of the many persons whose property was damaged. As to each of these plaintiffs, the cumulated activities causing damage should be considered as one occurrence, though the circumstances causing damage consist of a continuous or repeated exposure to conditions resulting in damage arising out of such exposure. Thus, when the separate property of each plaintiff was damaged by a series of events, one occurrence was involved insofar as each property owner was concerned. Notwithstanding, therefore, that the same causes may have operated upon several properties at the same time resulting in varying degrees of damage, it cannot be regarded as one occurrence, but the damage to each plaintiff is a separate occurrence. Cf. Anchor Casualty Co. v. McCaleb et al., 178 F.2d 322 (5th Cir. 1950); Remmer v. Glens Falls Indemnity Co., 140 Cal.App.2d 84, 295 P.2d 19 (1956). For the reasons assigned, it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed that there be judgment herein in favor of the plaintiffs named below in the amounts shown against the Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans, City of New Orleans, Boh Brothers Construction Co., Inc., and Travelers Insurance Company, their insurer, in solido, with legal interest thereon from judicial demand until paid: Plaintiffs Amount Victor A. Lombard $ 2,750.00 Mrs. Evelyn Dauboise, wife of/and 2,550.00 Peter Henry Clarence O. Greene 7,300.00 Emanuel Milton 1,400.00 Mrs. Claudia Moore, wife of/and 1,550.00 Len Evans Mrs. Arzella Penton, wife of/and 2,324.00 Fred Fernandez Joseph Bruscato 1,600.00 Mrs. Evelyn Meynier, wife of/and 1,250.00 Frank Romaguera Mrs. Annie Buras, wife of/and 1,100.00 Thomas Chanove Mrs. Viola Smith, wife of/and 1,750.00 Leon Johnson Mrs. Ida Hill, wife of/and 1,250.00 Raymond Garnier (Individually) Mrs. Louise Davis, wife of/and 2,600.00 Alexander Olivier Mrs. Mildred Wyre, widow of 1,900.00 Edward Reese, individually and as a representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Edward Reese, and as tutrix of her minor children Mrs. Vivian Logan, wife of/and 1,535.00 Edwin B. Bolds Mrs. Lillie Green, wife of/and 1,950.00 Rev. George A. Beacham Mrs. Alvichear Logan, wife of/and 2,050.00 Theophiles Tanner Mrs. Louise Jackson, wife of/and 1,535.00 Earl Hankton Mrs. Shirley H. Westley, wife of/and $ 1,600.00 John W. Hence Joseph Amedee 1,900.00 Julius McMorris 625.00 Mrs. Evelyn Green Davis 1,560.00 divorced wife of Clabon Davis, Jr. Owens Hall, Sr. 2,200.00 Mrs. Beatrice Lewis, widow of 1,675.00 Alexander Weaver, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Alexander Weaver, and as tutrix of her minor children Donald R. Hall 2,950.00 Mrs. Martha Anderson, wife of/and 1,200.00 Murray Manning Mrs. Alice Blanton, widow of 1,650.00 Albert Banks Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, Inc. 2,215.00 Miss Pearlie Bunch 1,355.00 Mrs. Jeanette R. Recard, wife of/and 1,700.00 Alja Meyers Mrs. Emma Johnson, wife of/and 1,275.00 Rev. Jack Williams Mose Toussant 1,735.00 Ernest Proctor 8,350.00 Mrs. Edith Hewitt, wife of/and 1,675.00 Motton Dillon Mrs. Ruby Porche, widow of 1,950.00 Stanford Victor Mrs. Uldean V. Green, wife of/and 1,600.00 Earl Jupiter Arthur Winfield 1,000.00 Mrs. Katie Scott, widow of 1,650.00 Dorsey Brandon Alfred Brandon Eddie Brandon Mrs. Ethel Larieau, widow of 650.00 Dave White, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Dave White, and as tutrix of her minor children Will Terrel 2,300.00 Mrs. Elvira Smith, wife of/and 1,300.00 Henry Tate Mrs. Katie Mae Ellis, wife of/and 3,600.00 Rev. Eddie B. Scott Robert Pipkins 2,150.00 Mrs. Stella Sandoz Staten 1,400.00 Mrs. Evelyn Toussaint, widow of 2,000.00 Albert Rowe, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Albert Rowe Miss Lucy Mae, a/k/a Geraldine 1,300.00 Pauline Miss Janice Pauline Eugene B. Scott 2,250.00 Mrs. Thelma Palmer, widow of 1,350.00 Isaiah Porter Nathaniel Porter Mrs. Isabella Morris, wife of/and 1,485.00 Herman Morris Mrs. Alfreda Robinson, wife of/and 1,900.00 Edward Jackson Mrs. Irene Coston, wife of/and 1,500.00 Ferdinand B. Toussant Arthur Mitchell 1,000.00 Mrs. Georgianna Crier, widow of 1,000.00 Charles Howard Curtis Howard Mrs. Josie Bell Franklin, widow $ 1,000.00 of Willard Smart, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Willard Smart, and as tutrix of her minor children Mrs. Delores Bolds, wife of/and 1,500.00 Harrison Monie Mrs. Ruby Taylor, wife of/and 1,250.00 Ike Mayfield Mrs. Viola Jones, widow of 1,650.00 Clifford Coignet, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Clifford Coignet, and as tutrix of her minor children Mrs. Elizabeth Thompson, divorced 2,200.00 wife of Julius McMorris Mrs. Ruth Mix, wife of Frank Bernard 2,300.00 Mrs. Christina Johnson, wife of/and 850.00 Thomas Pate Mrs. Betty Poree, wife of/and 1,050.00 Lawson W. Palmer Mrs. Florence Payne, widow of 1,000.00 Emanuel Lewis, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Emanuel Lewis Mrs. Emma Green, wife of/and 2,800.00 Joseph Washington Mrs. Rhea Echar, widow of Leland 900.00 J. Moran, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Leland J. Moran Henry Milburn 2,850.00 Holly Thompson 1,850.00 Mrs. Mable Denny, wife of/and 750.00 Abraham Robinson Mrs. Bertha Steward, widow of 1,475.00 Alfred Johnson, individually and as representative of the estate of her deceased husband, Alfred Johnson Clark R. Cosse 1,550.00 Mr. & Mrs. Harold Imhoff 4,600.00 Mr. & Mrs. Alfred P. Boudreaux 1,800.00 Nevelin W. Wilson 1,700.00 Lawrence M. Bulot 900.00 Bennie A. Lions, Sr. 3,100.00 Edward E. Gettys 1,600.00 Clarence A. Brakel 2,700.00 Lloyd E. David 1,950.00 Mrs. G. Roberts 2,300.00 Herman A. Groz 2,100.00 Mrs. Abbie Guapp 975.00 Percy J. Albert 2,400.00 John L. Vicari 2,000.00 Shirley L. Schenick 2,300.00 James J. Merz 2,420.00 George A. Nehlig 500.00 Mrs. Mamie E. Selzer 2,750.00 Mrs. Valsin C. Selzer Adam M. Brady 2,000.00 Edward J. Winkler 1,150.00 Louis F. Zeringue 900.00 Mrs. Catherine A. Gettys 450.00 Floyd O. Neumann 2,200.00 Jose Valenzuela 225.00 Lester J. Chaplain 2,000.00 Floyd R. Boda 250.00 Mrs. Anthony J. Talamo 2,050.00 Henry J. Philebar, Sr. 1,400.00 Mrs. Richard T. Hill 2,300.00 Aledore Sylvia $ 1,000.00 Mrs. J. Montz 500.00 Mrs. Bertha B. Price 1,850.00 Mrs. Bertha E. Bauer 800.00 John E. Franze, Jr. 300.00 Charles H. Williams 2,000.00 Archie H. Arroyo 2,300.00 Frances M. Salone 1,825.00 Edward J. Frey 2,200.00 Mrs. Thomas Carbone 2,050.00 Virgil V. Ryan 800.00 Elizabeth S. Leavelle 500.00 Mrs. M. Massaro 2,300.00 Isador W. Falco, Jr. 1,350.00 Amede Jeanfreau 2,000.00 Mrs. Mary Trascher 1,950.00 Mrs. Mary H. Brugier 2,700.00 Adele S. Netter 1,375.00 Sameul Lampo and 1,250.00 Mrs. Louise Rohli Lampo Joseph D. LeBlanc and 1,100.00 Mrs. Cecile Michel LeBlanc Mrs. Alice Schaule Reiser 1,900.00 Henry F. O'Brien, Jr. and 800.00 Mrs. Marguerite Ader O'Brien Joseph L. Sorbet and 2,550.00 Mrs. Lillie Mae Bourg Sorbert Mrs. Mary Daroca Pretus 1,150.00 Thomas J. Carter 950.00 Salvador Tuminella 3,000.00 Sidney R. Inch and 100.00 Mrs. Frances Edel Inch Mrs. Amy Cothauer, widow of 1,300.00 Peter C. Aiena, Sr. Benjamin Arabie 1,600.00 Jasper Skates 2,050.00 Orleans Parish School Board 3,650.00 Johnson-Locket School Beatrice Williams, widow of 1,550.00 Dennis Schanette All costs of court are taxed against the defendants. BARHAM, J., concurs with reasons. DIXON, J., concurs.