Opinion ID: 280633
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: All jobs had some means of excavation, some form.

Text: 14 Although this may have been intended to convey such a flavor, it is plain that nowhere does Abrams testify he told Ogus that he (or Lesmark) was engaged in excavation. 15 We pause to note that the trial judge remarked in colloquy — after saying he found no evidence that Abrams, either expressly or by implication, had expected Ogus to take out excavation insurance, or to insure him fully — as follows (J.A. 285): 16 As a matter of fact, Mr. Abrams' testimony was such that I don't think I would believe any of it, and therefore, I think I would find that there was never any such request. 17 Abrams' general observation that all jobs necessarily involve excavation is also without force because on cross examination the import of this generalization was undercut by Abrams' admission that he ordinarily hired subcontractors to excavate. And he went on to admit that he usually expected and required them to carry appropriate insurance! (J.A. 245-246) 18 Appellant may attempt to draw support from a passage wherein Abrams remarked: We did our own footing work. We never gave out footing work to anybody. (J.A. 221). But the issue so far as Ogus is concerned is Abrams' disclosures to Ogus and the knowledge with which Ogus can reasonably be charged. 19 At oral argument, for the first time in this case, appellant focused on a single line of a six page Hartford audit indicating that part of Lesmark's premiums went to cover liability for damages resulting from excavation. (J.A. 162). From this it is argued that Lesmark was either in fact covered by the policy or Ogus customarily provided such coverage. The fact that an excavation item was picked up on the insurer's audit does not negative lack of knowledge on the part of Ogus. 20 Assuming its evidentiary relevance, however, the audit item was not brought out meaningfully at the trial. It was buried in an exhibit that was not identified in this way. The point now raised on argument was answered on argument by appellee's counsel with this explanation: Although the exclusion in the policy exempted the carrier where the damages resulted from failure of lateral support due to excavation, the exemption clause did not exculpate from liability in case of other forms of excavation damage ( e. g., broken water or gas lines). In view of the explanation and the tardy assertion outlined above, we do not conclude that the finding of the District Court is clearly erroneous. 21 There can be no doubt that an insurance agent may have affirmative duties to his clients. E. g., Hardt v. Brink, 192 F.Supp. 879 (W.D.Wash.1961). See generally Annot., 29 A.L.R.2d 171 (1953). 22 We have no occasion to define the doctrine, or to consider to what extent it applies in a commercial context. On the facts of this particular case, it cannot be said as a matter of law that the trial judge erred in failing to find that Ogus failed to render adequate service to Lesmark. 23 This recital obviously explains why this court did not consider appellant's case to turn on some broad doctrine that a broker has a duty of full explanation to a client that rendered actionable the failure of Ogus to disclose lack of excavation coverage. We assume that insurance brokers have a responsibility in law to act toward their less expert clients in a way that is responsible in fact. But the exposition of meaningful rules implementing this general obligation should surely await a case not so beset by its own particular facts. Certainly the liability of an insurance broker is shaped by the facts of his relationship with his client. Lesmark as an insured had a history of less than full coverage, deliberately sought, which cuts against any insistence on a general responsibility of a broker to volunteer all manner of information about other available coverage. We have already discussed the infirmities in the proof concerning what Lesmark told its broker about its operations generally. Assuming arguendo, that Lesmark did more than talk to Ogus on the phone and actually showed Ogus the specifications, a point not established by proof, we are confronted with the earlier finding of Judge Tamm that Lesmark's acts were in conflict with the specifications! On the facts of this record the implied awareness of Ogus that there was to be excavation cannot be equated with implied awareness that Lesmark was himself going to do the work of excavation (and related supports). II 24 We close with observations about petitions for rehearing en banc. They descend upon this court in a flood, reflecting little contemplation of our opinions 3 declaring that they are to be granted sparingly, and our practice under which they are indeed granted sparingly. They take time, and reduce the time available for disposition of cases on the merits. Realistically a court may be unable to fend off such petitions when filed by individuals convicted of crime, or defeated in a civil litigation of major significance in their lives. We would have supposed that no such emotional drive attached to insurance companies accustomed to the realistic appraisal of litigation and rulings. 25 Our earlier disposition, though without an opinion, came after an oral argument that explored details of the case in a way that meets any standard of attentive consideration that can fairly be associated with appellate review. Our judgment made plain that the case was considered to turn on its particular facts. Doubtless a disposition without a full opinion is not completely satisfactory to counsel or clients. But it is a necessity in the administration of appellate justice under modern docket conditions. Indeed, the President's District of Columbia Crime Commission expressly urged this court to employ to a greater extent the use of order dispositions, 4 and our rules were amended to reflect this policy. 5 26 All who are interested in administration of justice in a large sense are properly concerned lest opinions that in essence turn on particular facts needlessly augment the already large body of reading matter pouring onto law offices and libraries. Too much information input may be as bad as too little, may serve indeed to deaden the senses to the input that is critical. There is need for communication in the public interest — but that implies selectivity, for transmission of full information without selectivity may be tantamount to abdication of the duty to communicate meaningfully. 6 27 It is often appropriate to publish opinions, with full factual settings identifying and defining the legal principles applied — especially where the facts of a case are a paradigm, or where they are exceptional but serve to illuminate the core of a rule or its qualification; or where fundamental rights are involved. In many cases, however, there is no corresponding need to publish opinions turning on particular facts, and their publication may represent unnecessary expense and paper work, possibly rising in the overall to the level of a hindrance rather than a help to justice. 28 In the past we have occasionally printed our opinions with directions that they not be published in U.S.App.D.C. or F.2d. 29 We have recently begun, on an experimental basis, in appropriate cases, issuance of relatively brief opinions in typed form, available to and meaningful to the parties, counsel and others studying the docket, without being printed for general dissemination either to the District bar or for publication in the reports. Perhaps a by-product of this course will be some reduction in the volume of petitions for rehearing. 30 The petition for rehearing by the division is denied. 31 So ordered.