Court Opinion

ID: 931442
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2013-06-25 00:15:24.883373+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:15:10.112602
License: Public Domain

STATE OF WEST VIRGINIA

                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

Paul Davis and Laura Davis,                                                       FILED
                                                                                 June 24, 2013
Plaintiffs Below, Petitioners                                               RORY L. PERRY II, CLERK

                                                                          SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS

vs) No. 12-0985 (Jefferson County 10-C-19)                                    OF WEST VIRGINIA

State Farm Fire and Casualty Company,
Defendant Below, Respondent

                             MEMORANDUM DECISION
         Petitioners Paul Davis and Laura Davis, by counsel Stephen G. Skinner, appeal the
Circuit Court of Jefferson County’s order granting partial summary judgment to respondent on
July 23, 2012. Respondent State Farm Fire and Casualty Company, by counsel E. Kay Fuller,
filed its response to which petitioners replied.

       This Court has considered the parties= briefs and the record on appeal. The facts and legal
arguments are adequately presented, and the decisional process would not be significantly aided
by oral argument. Upon consideration of the standard of review, the briefs, and the record
presented, the Court finds no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error. For these
reasons, a memorandum decision is appropriate under Rule 21 of the Rules of Appellate
Procedure.

       Petitioners purchased a Personal Articles Policy (“policy”) from State Farm Fire and
Casualty (“State Farm”) to insure an antique diamond engagement ring. The policy provides a
Loss Settlement provision which states:

       Loss Settlement. We have the option of repairing or replacing the lost or
       damaged property. Unless otherwise stated in this policy, covered property values
       will be determined at the time of loss or damage. We will pay the cost of repair or
       replacement, but not more than the smallest of the following amounts:

               a.	 the full amount of our cost to repair the property to its condition
                   immediately prior to the loss or damage;
               b.	 the full amount of our cost to replace the item with one substantially
                   identical to the item lost or damaged;
               c.	 any special limit of liability described in this policy; or
               d.	 the limit of liability applicable to the property.

       Petitioners claim that in September of 2009, Petitioner Laura Davis chipped and fractured

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the diamond in the engagement ring.1 Petitioners reported the claim to State Farm and claim they
were told that they were required to use a State Farm preferred jeweler to repair or replace the
damaged diamond. The State Farm adjuster, Craig Bohn, advised that State Farm would not
accept a repair/replacement quote from petitioners’ jeweler of choice because that jeweler,
Christian Caine, was not a “preferred vendor.” Petitioners claim Mr. Bohn told them if they
wanted to go to Christian Caine for repairs, petitioners would have to pay out-of-pocket for the
substantial difference above what State Farm’s “preferred vendor” would charge. Petitioners
assert that State Farm had never previously disclosed the existence of either its “jewelry
replacement program” or its “preferred vendors,” as neither term is used in the policy. In
addition, petitioners claim they were told that if they wanted to make a claim, they would have to
drive to Hagerstown, Maryland, to allow one of State Farm’s “preferred vendors” to inspect the
ring and obtain a “replacement quote.”

        On October 25, 2009, Petitioner Laura Davis drove to Hagerstown to meet with the
manager of State Farm’s “preferred vendor,” and the manager and a colleague examined the ring
and confirmed that the diamond needed to be replaced. The manager advised that because the
diamond needed to be replaced, the salvage stone needed to be sent to State Farm. Mrs. Davis
says she was also told that if she wanted to keep the diamond, she would have to pay State Farm
the salvage value. State Farm’s settlement offer would then be reduced by the salvage value.
Mrs. Davis was also told that if she wanted the preferred vendor to replace the diamond, she
would have to return another day to select a replacement diamond. When Mrs. Davis asked the
manager for documentation that showed that State Farm required salvage, the manager gave Mrs.
Davis the “State Farm Insurance Jewelry Replacement Question Form,” which petitioners
contend directed the preferred vendor to send the diamond to State Farm for salvage purposes.

        Petitioners claim they asked Mr. Bohn where in the policy does it state that State Farm is
allowed to keep petitioners’ diamond as salvage, but Mr. Bohn was unable to identify any such
language in the policy. He advised petitioners that it was not his decision and that he would have
to speak to his manager about the situation. When petitioners followed up with Mr. Bohn
approximately one week later, Mr. Bohn told them corporate legal counsel was still looking into
the matter. Petitioners claim that State Farm counsel determined that while salvage was not a
term used in the policy, principles of equity supported State Farm’s demand for salvage.
Petitioners then filed their action on January 22, 2010, setting forth a declaratory judgment action
and claims for breach of contract, first-party bad faith, and unfair trade practices act (UTPA)
violations.

        Petitioners’ action for declaratory judgment requested that the court determine the
following: 1) whether State Farm can “demand” that petitioners have their ring repaired at State
Farm’s “preferred discount jeweler” or be forced to pay the difference; and 2) whether
petitioners can be required to surrender their heirloom diamond (or pay the salvage value when
the ring is repaired). Petitioners’ complaint also sets forth allegations that State Farm breached
its contractual obligations to petitioners. State Farm obtained an order from the circuit court

       1
         The parties do not appear to dispute that the diamond at issue is covered under the policy
or that the diamond was damaged during the policy period.
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permitting it to inspect the ring.2 State Farm determined its cost to replace the stone and repair
the ring setting and made an offer of $7,942 on April 1, 2011. In its offer, State Farm indicated
that petitioners were under no obligation to repair the ring with its preferred vendor or to repair
the ring at all. Additionally, State Farm agreed as a litigation compromise to waive its right to
salvage concerning the damaged stone.

        Petitioners filed a motion for summary judgment, and State Farm filed a motion for
partial summary judgment. After considering the motions, the circuit court concluded that State
Farm was entitled to partial summary judgment because there was no justiciable controversy
stated within the declaratory judgment portion of the complaint. The circuit court determined that
the waiver of any right of salvage by State Farm also rendered moot the declaratory judgment
count of the complaint. The circuit court also stated that there had never been an attempt by State
Farm to “force” petitioners to utilize any specific vendor to perform repairs or replacement of the
ring or stone; because that issue had never been placed in controversy, the circuit court found
that it was not required to rule on same. Thus, the circuit court found that summary judgment
was appropriate, as there is no justiciable controversy or any genuine issue of material fact.

        The circuit court addressed the salvage issue by stating that in its offer, State Farm
indicated it was making no claim for salvage of the ring or stone, again leaving petitioners free to
keep the damaged diamond to do with as they see fit. The court noted that provides a windfall to
petitioners because it allows them to retain the property and also be reimbursed for the property.
Therefore, the second request for relief in the declaratory judgment action is moot and no
justiciable controversy exists. The court found there was no genuine issue of material fact to be
decided with regard to either of the issues raised in the declaratory judgment count, so State
Farm was entitled, as a matter of law, to summary judgment for the entire declaratory judgment
portion of the complaint. Finally, the circuit court found that State Farm had adjusted petitioners’
claim and made a commensurate offer. Therefore, there is no valid breach of contract claim
against State Farm. The circuit court granted partial summary judgment to State Farm, striking
with prejudice all counts of the complaint which seek declaratory judgment or allege breach of
contract. This order was entered on July 23, 2012. Petitioners appeal that order.

         “A circuit court’s entry of summary judgment is reviewed de novo.” Syl. Pt. 1, Painter v.
Peavy, 192 W.Va. 189, 451 S.E.2d 755 (1994). “[T]he party opposing summary judgment must
satisfy the burden of proof by offering more than a mere ‘scintilla of evidence’ and must produce
evidence sufficient for a reasonable jury to find in a nonmoving party's favor. Anderson [v.
Liberty Lobby, Inc.], 477 U.S. [242] at 252, 106 S.Ct. [2505] at 2512, 91 L.E.2d [202] at 214
[1986].” Williams v. Precision Coil, Inc., 194 W.Va. 52, 60, 459 S.E.2d 329, 337 (1995).

        In its petition for appeal, petitioners assert six assignments of error. First, petitioners
argue that the circuit court failed to consider petitioners’ uncontroverted affidavit which not only
raised genuine issues of material fact, but set forth a valid reasonable expectations claim. The
affidavit at issue was signed by Petitioner Laura Davis on June 4, 2012, and was filed as an
exhibit to petitioners’ motion for summary judgment before the circuit court. The thirty-six

       2
       It is disputed by the parties whether the 2009 inspection by State Farm’s preferred
vendor was a sufficient inspection to allow State Farm to make a settlement offer at that time.
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paragraph affidavit essentially set forth Mrs. Davis’s version of events beginning with the
purchase of the policy in November of 2000, and ending with State Farm’s demand that the ring
be given to State Farm for salvage, which she contends is contrary to the “plain language” of the
policy. Initially, this Court notes that petitioners argued before the circuit court that the material
facts with respect to the coverage issues are not in dispute. Additionally, we find no error in the
circuit court’s implicit finding that the affidavit did not create a genuine issue of material fact.
With regard to petitioners’ reasonable expectations, this Court has found that “the doctrine of
reasonable expectations is limited to those instances . . . in which the policy language is
ambiguous.” National Mut. Ins. Co. v. McMahon & Sons, Inc., 177 W. Va. 734, 742, 356 S.E.2d
488, 496 (1987) (citations omitted), overruled on other grounds by Potesta v. United States Fid.
& Guar. Co., 202 W. Va. 308, 504 S.E.2d 135 (1998). When petitioners filed their motion for
summary judgment before the circuit court, they asserted arguments based on the plain and
unambiguous language of the policy. Therefore, we find the doctrine of reasonable expectations
inapplicable to the facts of this case.

          Petitioners’ second assignment of error is that the circuit court failed to view the facts in
the light most favorable to petitioners when it found, without any supporting evidence, that State
Farm does not require insureds to use its preferred vendors to set the repair/replacement cost of
damaged jewelry. “In reviewing challenges to the findings and conclusions of the circuit court,
we apply a two-prong deferential standard of review. We review the final order and the ultimate
disposition under an abuse of discretion standard, and we review the circuit court’s underlying
factual findings under a clearly erroneous standard. Questions of law are subject to a de novo
review.” State v. Robertson, No. 11-1618, 2013 WL 657885 (W.Va. February 21, 2013),
quoting Syl. Pt. 2, Walker v. West Virginia Ethics Commission, 201 W.Va. 108, 492 S.E.2d 167
(1997). Petitioners’ second assignment of error misstates the circuit court’s findings. In its action
for declaratory judgment, petitioners requested that the circuit court determine whether State
Farm could “demand” that they have their ring repaired at State Farm’s “preferred discount
jeweler” or be forced to pay the difference. In answering that question, the circuit court
determined that petitioners had a duty to present the ring to respondent or its vendors for
inspection so that State farm could determine “our cost” to repair or replace the ring pursuant to
the policy. Following that inspection, State Farm made a settlement offer, indicating that
petitioners were under no obligation to repair the ring with the preferred jeweler or to repair the
ring at all. Therefore, in reviewing the factual findings set forth by the circuit court in its order,
the arguments of the parties, and the record before this Court, we do not find that the circuit
court’s factual findings were clearly erroneous with regard to the preferred vendor issue.

       The third assignment of error is petitioner’s contention that the circuit court violated the
“law of the case” doctrine by allowing State Farm to re-assert an argument that petitioners’
request for a declaration on salvage was moot when a prior judge already ruled against State
Farm and found petitioners’ claim was justiciable. Judge Yoder heard argument on State Farm’s
motion to dismiss and denied that motion. However, when State Farm filed its motion for partial
summary judgment, Judge Frye was the presiding judge.3 Petitioners contend that State Farm re­

       3
       By Supreme Court Administrative Order entered on March 22, 2012, Senior Status
Judge Andrew N. Frye, Jr. was assigned to the Twenty-Third Judicial Circuit to preside over the
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asserted identical arguments to those rejected by Judge Yoder before Judge Frye without
advising Judge Frye of the significance of Judge Yoder’s prior ruling or the finality thereof.
Petitioners also claim that State Farm misrepresented Judge Yoder’s findings to Judge Frye.
State Farm, however, argues that the doctrine of the “law of the case” is inapplicable, as the
doctrine does not apply laterally to a trial court. It contends that the doctrine applies when an
appeal has been taken to this Court, but there has been no prior appeal in this matter. It argues
that one of the purposes of the doctrine is to provide guidance when a case is remanded “so that
when the case comes back to the circuit court the judge may there have the judgment of the
supreme court on all points of law that arise in the case and know what he is doing and save the
party the second trial.” State ex rel. Frazier & Oxley, L.C. v. Cummings, 214 W.Va. 802, 808,
591 S.E.2d 728, 734 (2003). State Farm argues that because there was no prior appeal, there are
no remand instructions for the trial court regarding the salvage issue. State Farm also argues that
petitioners ignore the different standards applicable to motions to dismiss and motions for
summary judgment, as Judge Yoder denied a motion to dismiss while Judge Frye granted a
motion for partial summary judgment following discovery. In their motion for summary
judgment, petitioners stated that the material facts with respect to the coverage issues were not in
dispute. Thereafter, State Farm filed a cross-motion for partial summary judgment arguing that
the salvage issue was moot because it had waived any right to salvage. At that point, the parties
agreed that there was no genuine issue of material fact to be tried as to the declaratory judgment
action. Prior to ruling on the motion for summary judgment, the circuit court had access to the
entire circuit court file, including orders entered by any other judges who previously presided
over the case. The parties also had the opportunity to present those orders to the presiding judge
in their entirety. Our review of the record reveals that the circuit court had ample evidence before
it to support its grant of partial summary judgment to respondent. This is further supported by
petitioners’ statement to the court that there were no genuine issues of material fact prior to
respondent filing its motion for partial summary judgment. Thus, in applying a de novo standard
of review, we find no error in the circuit court’s grant of partial summary judgment to
respondent, regardless of any issues related to the “law of the case” doctrine. See Syl. Pt. 1,
Painter v. Peavy, 192 W.Va. 189, 451 S.E.2d 755 (1994).

         Petitioners’ fourth assignment of error is that the circuit court erred in finding that
petitioners’ declaratory judgment action on the salvage issue was moot when the remaining
breach of contract and bad faith/unfair trade practices act claims required a ruling on the
impropriety of State Farm’s repeated and unsupported salvage demands. The fifth assignment of
error is intertwined with the fourth, as petitioners assert that even if the salvage issue was moot,
the matter falls within several exceptions to the mootness doctrine. It is undisputed that after the
initiation of the declaratory judgment action, State Farm waived any claim or right to the ring for
salvage. Therefore, the circuit court found petitioners’ claims based on the salvage demand to be
moot. Petitioners argue that while the issue was technically moot, the circuit court was not
automatically precluded from considering the same.

       Three factors to be considered in deciding whether to address technically moot
       issues are as follows: first, the court will determine whether sufficient collateral

former docket of John C. Yoder and the cases described in Chief Judge David H. Sanders’s
Administrative Order executed on March 21, 2012.
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       consequences will result from determination of the questions presented so as to
       justify relief; second, while technically moot in the immediate context, questions
       of great public interest may nevertheless be addressed for the future guidance of
       the bar and of the public; and third, issues which may be repeatedly presented to
       the trial court, yet escape review at the appellate level because of their fleeting
       and determinate nature, may appropriately be decided.

Syl. Pt. 1, Israel v. Secondary Schools Activities Commission, 182 W.Va. 454, 388 S.E.2d 480
(1989). When the circuit court awarded partial summary judgment to respondent, State Farm had
offered what it purports to be sufficient compensation to replace the diamond in the engagement
ring, in addition to waiving any claim or right to the diamond at issue. Thus, there are not
sufficient collateral consequences that will result from determination of the questions presented
so as to justify relief. In regard to the second and third factors set forth in Israel, this Court does
not find the issue of chipped engagement rings or salvage rights in personal articles policies to be
of great public interest or likely to be repeatedly presented to the trial court yet escape review at
the appellate level due to their fleeting and determinate nature. For these reasons, and based upon
our review of the record, this Court finds that petitioners’ claim does not fall within any of the
exceptions of the mootness doctrine so as to justify consideration of the salvage claim.
Therefore, we find no error in the circuit court’s finding of mootness as to the salvage issue.

         Petitioner’s sixth and final assignment of error is that the circuit court erred in granting
summary judgment on petitioners’ breach of contract claim without any supporting evidence.
Petitioners argue that State Farm asserted a conclusory statement that it complied with all
contractual obligations to petitioners, though such assertion is unsupported by competent
evidence. Petitioners argue that in granting partial summary judgment to respondent, the circuit
court overlooked the fact that petitioners were forced to sue their insurer in order to keep their
family diamond. State Farm contends that it fulfilled all contractual obligations to petitioners and
was, therefore, entitled to summary judgment with regard to petitioners’ breach of contract
claim. Respondent further argues that based on the admittedly plain language of the Loss
Settlement provision, it is contractually obligated to adjust petitioners’ claim and pay petitioners
its cost to either repair or replace the damaged property. Respondent claims that it fulfilled these
obligations. Once permitted to complete its inspection, State Farm promptly made an offer to
petitioners based upon its cost to replace the stone and repair the setting. Thus, there was no
breach of contract, and there is no genuine issue of material fact related to this issue.

         As set forth above, “A circuit court's entry of summary judgment is reviewed de novo.”
Syl. Pt. 1, Painter v. Peavy, 192 W.Va. 189, 451 S.E.2d 755 (1994). “In reviewing challenges to
the findings and conclusions of the circuit court, we apply a two-prong deferential standard of
review. We review the final order and the ultimate disposition under an abuse of discretion
standard, and we review the circuit court’s underlying factual findings under a clearly erroneous
standard. Questions of law are subject to a de novo review.” State v. Robertson, No. 11-1618,
2013 WL 657885 (W.Va. February 21, 2013), quoting Syl. Pt. 2, Walker v. West Virginia Ethics
Commission, 201 W.Va. 108, 492 S.E.2d 167 (1997). It is evident from the circuit court’s order
that it considered the parties’ arguments and the record before it, including the language of the
policy and the offers made prior to reaching its decision. We, therefore, find that the circuit court

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did not abuse its discretion in granting summary judgment to respondent on petitioners’ breach
of contract claim.

       For the foregoing reasons, we affirm.

                                                                                    Affirmed.

ISSUED: June 24, 2013

CONCURRED IN BY:

Chief Justice Brent D. Benjamin
Justice Margaret L. Workman
Justice Menis E. Ketchum
Justice Allen H. Loughry II

DISSENTING:

Justice Robin Jean Davis

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