Court Opinion

ID: 4184701
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2017-07-10 14:09:25.340236+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:39:35.749321
License: Public Domain

NOT FOR PUBLICATION WITHOUT THE
                      APPROVAL OF THE APPELLATE DIVISION
     This opinion shall not "constitute precedent or be binding upon any court."
      Although it is posted on the internet, this opinion is binding only on the
         parties in the case and its use in other cases is limited. R.1:36-3.

                                       SUPERIOR COURT OF NEW JERSEY
                                       APPELLATE DIVISION
                                       DOCKET NO. A-4784-15T4

MATCHAPONIX ESTATES, INC.
and NCV DEVELOPERS,

        Plaintiffs-Respondents,

v.

FIRST MERCURY INSURANCE COMPANY,

     Defendant-Appellant.
_________________________________

              Argued May 24, 2017 – Decided July 10, 2017

              Before Judges Manahan and Lisa.

              On appeal from Superior Court of New Jersey,
              Law Division, Middlesex County, Docket No. L-
              4399-15.

              Daniel Pickett argued the cause for appellant
              (Carroll, McNulty & Kull, LLC, attorneys;
              Kristin V. Gallagher and Mr. Pickett, of
              counsel and on the briefs).

              David M. Hutt argued the cause for respondents
              (Hutt & Shimanowitz, P.C., attorneys; Mr. Hutt
              and Bryan D. Plocker, of counsel and on the
              brief).

PER CURIAM

        In this insurance coverage dispute, First Mercury Insurance

Company (First Mercury) appeals from an order denying its motion
for summary judgment, as well as a second order granting summary

judgment in favor of Matchaponix Estates, Inc. (Matchaponix) and

NCV Developers (NCV).       We affirm.

      We discern the following facts and all reasonable inferences

drawn therefrom in the light most favorable to the party against

whom summary judgment was entered.          Brill v. Guardian Life Ins.

Co. of Am., 142 N.J. 520, 523-24 (1995).              The underlying personal

injury action involves Jeannine Bleich, who claimed to be injured

while riding her bicycle along the roadway in a development built

by Matchaponix and NCV.             Bleich attributed her accident and

resulting injury to a sinkhole, which caused her to be propelled

forward onto the pavement.

      In November 2014, Bleich and her husband filed a complaint

naming NCV as a defendant.          The complaint was thereafter amended

to   add   Matchaponix     as   a   defendant.        The   complaint   alleged

Matchaponix    and   NCV   were     negligent    in    their   management     and

maintenance of the development.

      At the time of the accident, Matchaponix and NCV were insured

under a commercial general liability policy (CGL) issued by First

Mercury.    The CGL included an endorsement-subsidence exclusion,

which provided,

                 This insurance does not apply to:

                                       2                                A-4784-15T4
                "Bodily injury" or "property damage"
           directly or indirectly arising out of[,]
           caused by, resulting from, contributed to,
           aggravated by or related to the subsidence,
           settling, settlement, expansion, sinking,
           slipping, falling away, tilting, caving in,
           shifting[,]    eroding,    rising,    heaving,
           landslide, flood or mud flow, earthquake,
           volcanic eruption or other tectonic processes
           or any other movement, of land or earth,
           however caused, and whether by natural,
           manmade, accidental or artificial means. This
           exclusion applies regardless of any other
           cause or event that contributes concurrently
           or in any sequence to the "bodily injury" or
           "property damage."

                We shall have no duty or obligation on
           our part under this insurance to defend,
           respond to, investigate or indemnify any
           insured against any loss, claim, "suit," or
           other proceeding alleging damages arising out
           of or related to "bodily injury" or "property
           damage" to which this endorsement applies.

                This exclusion also applies to any
           obligation to, share damages with, repay or
           indemnify someone else who must pay damages
           because of such "bodily injury" or "property
           damage."

     In response to the underlying action, Matchaponix and NCV

submitted a claim to First Mercury.1      By letter dated January 8,

2015,   First   Mercury   disclaimed   coverage   based   on   the   CGL's

subsidence exclusion provision.

1
  Matchaponix and NCV filed a claim prior to the commencement of
the underlying action for which First Mercury denied coverage.

                                   3                             A-4784-15T4
     In July 2015, Matchaponix and NCV commenced a declaratory

judgment action.   First Mercury filed its answer and affirmative

defenses in September 2015.   Matchaponix and NCV, as well as First

Mercury, simultaneously filed motions for summary judgment.         On

April 27, 2016, the trial court issued a preliminary ruling on the

parties' motions granting summary judgment in favor of Matchaponix

and NCV.

     At the conclusion of oral argument held on May 6, 2016, the

court granted Matchaponix and NCV's motion for summary judgment

and denied First Mercury's motion for summary judgment.      On the

same day, the court entered orders memorializing its decision.

The orders stated in part:

                2. First Mercury shall pay on behalf of
           Matchaponix and NCV all sums that Matchaponix
           and/or NCV become legally obligated to pay,
           through judgment settlement or otherwise, in
           connection with the [Underlying Litigation;]

                3. First Mercury shall pay on behalf of
           Matchaponix and NCV all costs, including
           attorneys' fees, and related litigating
           expenses that Matchaponix and NCV incur in the
           defense of the Underlying Litigation;

     The court entered a consent order for final judgment in

connection with its summary judgment rulings on June 9, 2016.

Pursuant to the order, the parties agreed upon the amount of legal

fees incurred by Matchaponix and NCV, totaling $37,927.94.        The

                                 4                          A-4784-15T4
order reserved First Mercury's right to appeal the May 6, 2016

orders.   This appeal followed.

    First Mercury raises the following argument on appeal:

                            [POINT I]

          THE TRIAL COURT IMPROPERLY LIMITED THE
          APPLICATION OF THE SUBSIDENCE EXCLUSION TO
          "CATASTROPHIC" EVENTS.

               A. STANDARD OF REVIEW.

               B. THE PLAIN TERMS OF THE SUBSIDENCE
               EXCLUSION   DOES   NOT   LIMIT   ITS
               APPLICATION    TO     "CATASTROPHIC"
               EVENTS.

               C.    THE   SUBSIDENCE    EXCLUSION
               PRECLUDES    COVERAGE    FOR    NCV
               DEVELOPERS AND MATCHAPONIX.

               D. THE SUBSIDENCE      EXCLUSION   IS
               UNAMBIGUOUS.

First Mercury raises the following argument in its reply brief:

                            [POINT I]

          LEGAL ARGUMENT.

               A.    THE   SUBSIDENCE     EXCLUSION
               PRECLUDES    COVERAGE     FOR    THE
               UNDERLYING ACTION.

               B. COURTS HAVE FOUND THE SUBSIDENCE
               EXCLUSION TO BE UNAMBIGUOUS AND
               ENFORCEABLE AND THE TRIAL COURT AND
               [MATCHAPONIX AND NCV] FAILED TO CITE
               TO ANY CASE HOLDING TO THE CONTRARY.

               C. [MATCHAPONIX AND NCV'S] READING
               OF THE EXCLUSION RENDERS ITS TERMS
               MEANINGLESS AND INEXPLICABLE.

                                  5                      A-4784-15T4
                 D. [MATCHAPONIX AND NCV] PROVIDE NO
                 EVIDENTIARY SUPPORT OF WHAT THEIR
                 EXPECTATIONS WERE.

                 E. THE SUBSIDENCE EXCLUSION IS NOT
                 RENDER AMBIGUOUS BECAUSE IT MIGHT
                 NOT   APPLY  TO   A   HYPOTHETICAL,
                 ALTERNATIVE SITUATION.

                 F. BASED UPON THE ALLEGATIONS OF THE
                 COMPLAINT[,] FIRST MERCURY HAD NO
                 DUTY TO DEFEND.

      Our review of a ruling on summary judgment is de novo,

applying the same legal standard as the trial court.              Coyne v.

N.J. Dep't of Transp., 182 N.J. 481, 491 (2005); Tymczyszyn v.

Columbus Gardens, 422 N.J. Super. 253, 261 (App. Div. 2011),

certif. denied, 209 N.J. 98 (2012).          Thus, we consider "whether

the   evidence   presents   a   sufficient    disagreement   to    require

submission to a jury or whether it is so one-sided that one party

must prevail as a matter of law."       Liberty Surplus Ins. Corp. v.

Nowell Amoroso, P.A., 189 N.J. 436, 445-46 (2007) (quoting Brill,

supra, 142 N.J. at 536).        "Summary judgment must be granted if

'the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories[,] and

admissions on file, together with the affidavits, if any, show

that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact challenged

and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment or order as a

matter of law.'"   Town of Kearny v. Brandt, 214 N.J. 76, 91 (2013)

(quoting R. 4:46-2(c)).

                                    6                             A-4784-15T4
     Here, the factual record is not in dispute.    If there is no

genuine issue of material fact, we must then "decide whether the

trial court correctly interpreted the law."        Massachi v. AHL

Servs., Inc., 396 N.J. Super. 486, 494 (App. Div. 2007), certif.

denied, 195 N.J. 419 (2008).   We review de novo the trial court's

legal determinations, including its construction of an insurance

contract.   Polarome Int'l, Inc. v. Greenwich Ins. Co., 404 N.J.

Super. 241, 260 (App. Div. 2008), certif. denied, 199 N.J. 133

(2009).

     Matchaponix and NCV's expert's opinion was undisputed.      See

D'Alessandro v. Hartzel, 422 N.J. Super. 575, 581 (App. Div. 2011)

(requiring expert testimony concerning construction or design

defects).   The expert opined that that this sinkhole was caused

by underground leakage from a storm-water pipe leading to a nearby

inlet installed by Matchaponix and NCV.     First Mercury did not

present its own expert.   As such, the only issue on appeal before

us is the trial court's interpretation of the CGL and whether this

condition falls within the subsidence exclusion.

     The interpretation of an insurance policy upon established

facts is a question of law for the court to determine.   Simonetti

v. Selective Ins. Co., 372 N.J. Super. 421, 428 (App. Div. 2004).

Our standard of review is plenary.   Manalapan Realty, L.P. v. Twp.

Comm. of Manalapan, 140 N.J. 366, 378 (1995).   "Generally, '[w]hen

                                 7                         A-4784-15T4
interpreting an insurance policy, courts should give the policy's

words their plain, ordinary meaning.'"   Nav-Its, Inc. v. Selective

Ins. Co. of Am., 183 N.J. 110, 118 (2005) (quoting President v.

Jenkins, 180 N.J. 550, 562 (2004)).      "An insurance policy is a

contract that will be enforced as written when its terms are clear

in order that the expectations of the parties will be fulfilled."

Flomerfelt v. Cardiello, 202 N.J. 432, 441 (2010) (citing Kampf

v. Franklin Life Ins. Co., 33 N.J. 36, 43 (1960)).

     In construing the CGL, the court held:

               To determine the cause of the hole
          . . ., [Matchaponix and NCV] retained an
          expert, who concluded that "[b]ased on the
          location of the pavement failure and the shape
          of the hole, it is our opinion, based on a
          reasonable degree of engineering certainty,
          that the formation of the hole is attributed
          to a loss of support from soil migration into
          a potential break or crack within the [storm-
          water] pipe below the area of interest. The
          pavement failure is, based on a reasonable
          degree of engineering certainty, the result
          of a construction related deficiency in the
          utility installation." Notably, First Mercury
          admits that it has not retained an expert to
          contradict [] the opinions of [Matchaponix and
          NCV's] expert.

               Matchaponix and NCV argue that First
          Mercury should be required to defend and
          indemnify them under the [CGL] because Bleich
          alleges bodily injuries resulting from riding
          her bicycle into a hole in [the] roadway
          caused by a construction-related deficiency.
          Because the hole was not caused by the
          subsurface movement of the Earth, such as a
          tectonic shift of the plates, the Subsidence

                                8                          A-4784-15T4
             Exclusion of the [CGL] is not applicable, and
             to   the  extent   that   the   exclusion   is
             applicable, that provision is ambiguous, thus
             requiring those doubts to be resolved in favor
             [of] the insured.

                  . . . .

                  The language of the Subsidence Exclusion
             plainly envisions a scenario in which solid
             Earth collapses downward because of a natural
             occurrence, such as a floor or an earthquake,
             or human activities, such as industrial mining
             or ground water pumping.     It is abundantly
             clear that the exclusion does not apply to a
             scenario in which solid Earth seeps into a
             break or crack in a [storm-water] pipe
             resulting   from   a    construction   related
             deficiency, thus causing a hole in the
             pavement of a roadway. To conclude otherwise
             would lead to [a] jarringly anomalous result,
             running contrary to the fundamental principles
             of fairness and common sense.          Because
             [Matchaponix and NCV's] expert has opined that
             the pavement failure is the result of a faulty
             installation of the [storm-water] pipe below
             [the roadway], which is neither disputed nor
             refuted by First Mercury, the Subsidence
             Exclusion   does    not   apply,   and   thus,
             [Matchaponix and NCV] are entitled to coverage
             under the [CGL], and reimbursement for monies
             expended in their defense.

While   we   affirm   the   order   of       summary   judgment   in   favor   of

Matchaponix and NCV, we do so for different reasons than those

articulated by the court.           Because we review judgments, not

decisions, we may affirm on any ground.                Serrano v. Serrano, 367
N.J. Super. 450, 461 (App. Div. 2004) (quoting Isko v. Planning

Bd. of Livingston Twp., 51 N.J. 162, 175 (1968)) ("Although we

                                         9                              A-4784-15T4
affirm for different reasons, a judgment will be affirmed on appeal

if it is correct, even though 'it was predicated upon an incorrect

basis.'"), rev'd on other grounds, 183 N.J. 508 (2005).

     Exclusions in insurance policies are construed narrowly.

Princeton Ins. Co. v. Chunmuang, 151 N.J. 80, 95 (1997).                       They

will be enforced if the language is "specific, plain, clear,

prominent, and not contrary to public policy."                 Ibid. (quoting

Doto v. Russo, 140 N.J. 544, 559 (1995)).             Because an insurance

policy is a contract of adhesion, ambiguous policy language is

interpreted in favor of the insured to give effect to the insured's

reasonable     expectations.        Doto,   supra,   140    N.J.    at   555-56.

Ambiguity is present when "the phrasing of the policy is so

confusing    that   the   average    policyholder     cannot      make   out   the

boundaries of coverage."       Nunn v. Franklin Mut. Ins. Co., 274 N.J.

Super. 543, 548 (App. Div. 1994) (quoting Weedo v. Stone-E-Brick,

Inc., 81 N.J. 233, 247 (1979)).        On numerous occasions, our courts

have resolved unclear policy language in favor of the insured.

See, e.g., Sparks v. St. Paul Ins. Co., 100 N.J. 325, 336 (1985);

Search EDP, Inc. v. Am. Home Insurance, 267 N.J. Super. 537, 542

(App.   Div.   1993),     certif.   denied,   135 N.J. 466    (1994);     and

Progressive Cas. Ins. Co. v. Hurley, 166 N.J. 260, 273-74 (2001).

     However, "[i]f the words used in an exclusionary clause are

clear and unambiguous, 'a court should not engage in a strained

                                      10                                 A-4784-15T4
construction        to     support      the     imposition      of     liability.'"

Flomerfelt, supra, 202 N.J. at 442 (quoting Longobardi v. Chubb

Ins. Co., 121 N.J. 530, 582 (1990)).                   "[T]he burden is on the

insurer to bring the case within the exclusion."                     Ibid. (quoting

Am. Motorists Ins. Co. v. L-C-A Sales Co., 155 N.J. 29, 41 (1998)).

       We   have    also    extended      coverage      where   the    language     is

unambiguous,       but   the   denial     of   coverage    would      frustrate    the

insured's reasonable expectations.                   Sparks, supra, 100 N.J. at

338.   Thus, even when the policy language is clear, but denial of

coverage contravenes the insured's reasonable expectations, our

courts have ruled for the insured.

       In Werner Industries, Inc. v. First State Insurance. Co., 112
N.J. 30   (1988),      our    Supreme      Court    explained    the     underlying

rationale for the reasonable expectations doctrine.                   That doctrine

is triggered despite unambiguous language where "the insurance

contract is inconsistent with public expectations and commercially

accepted standards."           Id. at 35 (quoting Sparks, supra, 100 N.J.

at 338).     In such instances, "judicial regulation of insurance

contracts    is     essential    in   order     to    prevent   overreaching       and

injustice."        Ibid. (quoting Sparks, supra, 100 N.J. at 338).

       We disagree with the court that the exclusion language was

ambiguous.        From our reading of the CGL language, its literal

language    plainly      excludes     from     coverage   any     losses    from   the

                                          11                                 A-4784-15T4
movement of land or earth "however caused, and whether by natural,

manmade, accidental or artificial means."          By its literal terms,

the subsidence exclusion's application is not limited, as the

court determined, to soil migration by natural causes.            Here, the

factual predicate for the occurrence was the manmade movement of

earth.    Despite our finding as to the issue of ambiguity, our

determination as to whether the exclusionary language should be

applied does not end here.      Id. at 35 (quoting Sparks, supra, 100

N.J. at 338).

     We next turn to the issue of the reasonable expectations of

Matchaponix and NCV.    Ibid.     In doing so, we apply "an objective

standard of reasonableness" in determining what a policyholder's

reasonable expectations are.       Clients' Sec. Fund of the Bar of

N.J. v. Sec. Title & Guar. Co., 134 N.J. 358, 372 (1993); see also

Progressive, supra, 166 N.J. at 274.       Due to "the stark imbalance

between   insurance   companies   and   insureds   in   their    respective

understanding of the terms and conditions of insurance policies[,]

. . . '[t]he objectively reasonable expectations of applicants and

intended beneficiaries regarding the terms of insurance contracts

will be honored even though painstaking study of the policy

provisions would have negated those expectations.'"             Zacarias v.

AllState Ins. Co., 168 N.J. 590, 594-95 (2001) (quoting Sparks,

supra, 100 N.J. at 338-39).

                                   12                              A-4784-15T4
     As the court noted at oral argument, by interpreting the

exclusion in the manner argued for by First Mercury, the exclusion

would apply to the mere act of putting a shovel in the ground,

digging a hole, and then failing to cover it up.                   The court held

that given the potential applicability of the exclusion to the

"shovel in the ground" occurrence, it rendered the exclusion

ambiguous.        While, we disagree with the court's holding on the

issue of ambiguity, we conclude that the potential, if not actual,

applicability of the exclusion to such an occurrence would clearly

have not been aligned with the indemnity coverage that Matchaponix

and NCV believed they procured.2

     "[C]ourts       have    a    special      responsibility    to     prevent    the

marketing of policies that provide unrealistic and inadequate

coverage."    Sparks, supra, 100 N.J. at 341.               This "unrealistically

narrow"    interpretation         of    the    subsidence    exclusion     would    be

entirely     in    discord       with   Matchaponix     and     NCV's    reasonable

expectations as land developers regarding the type of coverage

provided to them under the CGL.                Ibid.

     Affirmed.

2
  First Mercury's counsel was non-committal in response to the
court's "shovel in the ground" hypothetical and its application
to the exclusion.   We received a similar response from counsel
when we inquired about the "shovel in the ground" scenario during
oral argument.

                                          13                                A-4784-15T4