Court Opinion

ID: 9612399
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 04:08:15.28689+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:03:20.985005
License: Public Domain

LESLIE B. YATES, Justice,
dissenting.
I respectfully disagree with the majority’s conclusion that General Star owed Gulf Coast a duty to defend. Specifically, I disagree with the majority’s conclusion that the petition in the underlying lawsuit alleges facts within the scope of coverage of the insurance policy.
The majority is correct that in reviewing a petition under an eight-corners analysis, we resolve any doubt regarding coverage in favor of the insured. See Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v. Merchs. Fast Motor Lines, Inc., 939 S.W.2d 139, 141 (Tex.1997). However, this does not mean that we presume coverage in the absence of statements in the petition creating or disavowing coverage. To the contrary, if a pleading does not allege facts that would create coverage under the policy, an insurer is not legally required to defend the suit against its insured. Id. at 141. Stated conversely, when a pleading only alleges facts excluded by the policy, the insurer has no duty to defend. Fid. & Guar. Ins. Underwriters, Inc. v. McManus, 633 S.W.2d 787, 788 (Tex.1982). We will not read facts into the pleadings or imagine factual scenarios in order to find covered claims. Merchs. Fast Motor Lines, Inc., 939 S.W.2d at 142.
A fair reading of the Juniper petition reveals that no claim is made for any asserted damage to the well stub or net protector. All references to damages in the petition occur in context of damage to the well itself. The facts section repeatedly alleges damage to the well: “the mat of the jackup rig .... bent the well,” “remedial operations were required, including installation of a caisson on the well,” “the Gulf Coast mover was warned of potential damage to the well,” “the well stub appeared to be leaning plus or minus 5 — to the southwest, which was later confirmed to be the damage to the well described above,” and “damage to Plaintiffs well was already sustained” (emphasis added). The causes of action section twice claims damage to the well — “the PRIDE ARKANSAS striking Plaintiffs well” and “Plaintiffs well required repairs, restoration and remediation ” — but makes no mention of the well stub or net protector. The damages section details restoration expenses that were asserted earlier in the petition in connection with damage to the well. In reviewing the underlying pleadings, the court must focus on the factual *460allegations that show the origin of the damages rather than the legal theories alleged. Merchs. Fast Motor Lines, Inc., 939 S.W.2d at 141. Because I do not read Juniper’s petition as factually alleging a claim for damage to the well stub, I would reverse the trial court’s judgment and render judgment in favor of General Star.