Court Opinion

ID: 9566073
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 19:33:04.009233+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:20:02.708203
License: Public Domain

McMurray, Presiding Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the judgment of reversal, as it is my view that sexual battery committed on the unsuspecting female patient by the physician during a medical examination is covered under the medical professional liability insurance policy issued by St. Paul in this case.
The policy informed the insured that it “provides protection against professional liability claims which might be brought against you in your practice as a physician or surgeon.” Specifically, St. Paul promised individual coverage for “damages resulting from . . . [yjour providing or withholding of professional services.” My examination of the policy reveals no exclusions for intentional acts or for sexual misconduct. Since the sexual batteries alleged in the underlying tort action took place during a medical examination, it is my view that, they fall within the coverage provided by the broad but nevertheless unambiguous language “providing or withholding professional services.” See, e.g., St. Paul Fire &c. Ins. Co. v. Mitchell, 164 Ga. App. 215, 216 (1) (296 SE2d 126), where the whole court determined that the insurer had a duty to defend. See also Ga. Baptist Children's Homes &c. Ministries v. Essex Ins. Co., 207 Ga. App. 346 (1) (427 SE2d 798), where an express exclusion for sexual behavior was nonetheless held to be ambiguous. Whether sexual battery ultimately is (or is not) medical malpractice does not control over the express terms of St. Paul’s promise to provide liability coverage “for damages resulting from . . . [the insured’s] providing or withholding of professional services.” I respectfully dissent.
*781Alexander & Vann, George R. Lilly II, Long, Weinberg, Ansley & Wheeler, Sidney F. Wheeler, Mark E. Robinson, for appellant.
Evans & Evans, Larry K. Evans, 0. Wayne Ellerbee, Dodd & Turner, Roger J. Dodd, Langdale, Vallotton & Linahan, Samuel F. Greneker, for appellees.