REAGAN, Chief Judge:
On March 25, 2015, Plaintiff Metropolitan Casualty Insurance Company ("Metropolitan") filed a complaint for declaratory judgment
On March 5, 2015, Jane Doe and Mary Doe, filed a complaint against the Donnellys, Jane Doe et al. v. James Donnelly et al., Case No. 15-L-289, which has been amended twice, most recently on June 3, 2015 (the "state complaint") (Doc. 27 at 3). The state complaint alleges sexual abuse (of Jane Doe) and intentional infliction of emotional distress (of Mary Doe) by Mr. Donnelly, and negligent supervision by Ms. Donnelly (Doc. 27 at 3-5; Doc. 27-1). The remaining counts (IV through VII) against the Donnellys relate to alleged fraudulent transfers between the Donnellys (Doc. 27 at 6; Doc. 27-1).
Metropolitan seeks a declaratory judgment from this Court that the language of the two policies (Docs. 1-2 and 1-3) issued to the Donnellys do not provide a duty to defend or indemnify the Donnellys (Doc. 27 at 1-2; 6-14). On July 28, 2015, Metropolitan filed its motion for summary judgment (Doc. 30). Jane Doe and Mary Doe filed a response to the Plaintiff's motion (Doc. 31), in which they agree with the Plaintiff's position as to all but Count III (negligent supervision by Ms. Donnelly), but argue that, because Count III is a claim within or potentially within the coverage of the action, Plaintiff has a duty to defend (Id.). On November 2, 2015, Ms. Donnelly filed a motion for summary judgment, mirroring much of Jane and Mary Doe's argument, to which the Plaintiff responded (Doc. 33). All motions ripe, the Court begins with a brief discussion of the legal standards.
Rule 56 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure governs summary judgment motions. The rule states that summary judgment is appropriate only if the admissible evidence considered as a whole shows there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the movant is entitled judgment as a matter of law. Archdiocese of Milwaukee v. Doe, 743 F.3d 1101, 1105 (7th Cir.2014), citing FED. R. CIV. P. 56(a). The party seeking summary judgment bears the initial burden of demonstrating — based on the pleadings, affidavits and/or information obtained via discovery — the lack of any genuine issue of material fact. Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S. 317 323, 106 S.Ct. 2548, 91 L.Ed.2d 265 (1986). A genuine issue of material fact remains "if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party." Nat'l Am. Ins. Co. v. Artisan & Truckers Cas. Co, 796 F.3d 717, 723 (7th Cir.2015), quoting Anderson v. Liberty Lobby, Inc., 477 U.S. 242, 248, 106 S.Ct. 2505, 91 L.Ed.2d 202 (1986). Accord Bunn v. Khoury Enterpr., Inc., 753 F.3d 676 (7th Cir.2014).
Little changes when cross-motions for summary judgments are involved. United States v. P.H. Glatfelter Co., 768 F.3d 662, 668 (7th Cir.2014); Laskin v. Siegel, 728 F.3d 731, 734 (7th Cir.2013). With cross-motions for summary judgment, the Court looks "to the burden of proof that each party would bear on an issue of trial" and will "require that party to go beyond the pleadings and affirmatively to establish a genuine issue of material fact." Diaz v. Prudential Ins. Co. of America, 499 F.3d 640, 643 (7th Cir.2007), citing Santaella v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 123 F.3d 456, 461 (7th Cir.1997).
The parties agree that the insurance coverage at issue should be interpreted under Illinois law. Where Illinois law governs, the interpretation of an insurance policy is a question of law that can be properly decided via summary judgment. Nationwide Ins. Co. v. Central Laborers' Pension Fund, 704 F.3d 522, 525 (7th Cir.2013); Crum & Forster Managers Corp. v. Resolution Trust Corp., 156 Ill.2d 384, 189 Ill.Dec. 756, 620 N.E.2d 1073, 1077 (1993). An insurance policy is ultimately a contract, and the general rules about contract interpretation apply when a court interprets an insurance policy. Netherlands Ins. Co. v. Phusion Projects, Inc., 737 F.3d 1174, 1177 (7th Cir. 2013); Clarendon National Ins. Co., 645 F.3d 928, 933 (7th Cir.2011); Founders Ins. Co. v. Munoz, 237 Ill.2d 424, 341 Ill.Dec. 485, 930 N.E.2d 999, 1003 (2010). Any interpretation by the Court must attempt to give effect to the parties' intentions as expressed by the policy, giving "due regard to the risk undertaken, the subject matter that is insured, and the purposes of the entire contract." Schuchman v. State Auto Property and Cas. Ins. Co., 733 F.3d 231, 238 (7th Cir.2013). See also Pekin Ins. Co. v. Wilson, 237 Ill.2d 446, 341 Ill.Dec. 497, 930 N.E.2d 1011, 1017 (2010). Unambiguous language will be construed according to its plain meaning, unless doing so would contravene public policy. Clarendon, 645 F.3d at 933; Founders, 341 Ill.Dec. 485, 930 N.E.2d at 1004.
In Illinois:
Panfil v. Nautilus Ins. Co., 799 F.3d 716, 719 (7th Cir.2015). A duty to defend does not exist where "there clearly was no coverage or potential for coverage." Wausau v. Ehlco Liquidating Trust, 186 Ill.2d 127, 237 Ill.Dec. 82, 708 N.E.2d 1122, 1135 (1999). However, Illinois law also provides that the inverse is true — where the underlying complaint potentially falls within the scope of coverage, an insurer is obligate to
Id. citing Gen. Agents Ins. Co. of Am., Inc. v. Midwest Sporting Goods Co., 215 Ill.2d 146, 293 Ill.Dec. 594, 828 N.E.2d 1092, 1098 (2005) and United States Fid. & Guar. Co. v. Wilkin Insulation Co., 144 Ill.2d 64, 161 Ill.Dec. 280, 578 N.E.2d 926, 930 (1991) (emphasis added) (internal citations removed). Where an insurer denies a duty to defend based upon an exclusionary clause within the policy "its application must be clear and free from doubt." Hurst-Rosche Eng'rs Inc. v. Commercial Union Ins. Co., 51 F.3d 1336, 1342 (7th Cir.1995), quoting Transamerica Ins. Co. v. South, 975 F.2d 321, 327 (7th Cir.1992).
The application of a claim to a particular policy follows a burden-shifting model. The insured has the burden of demonstrating that a claims falls within the coverage of a policy. Addison Ins. Co. v. Fay, 232 Ill.2d 446, 328 Ill.Dec. 858, 905 N.E. 747, 752 (2009). Then, the insurer has the burden to prove that exclusion applies. Santa's Best Craft, LLC v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 611 F.3d 339, 347 (7th Cir.2010). Once it has, it becomes the insured's burden to prove that an exception to the exclusion restores coverage. Id., citing 17A STEVEN PLITT ET AL., COUCH ON INSURANCE § 254:13 (3d ed.2005). In order to determine whether the count falls within the insurance policy, the Court must examine the "eight corners" of the insurance policy and the complaint. Insurance Co. of West v. County of McHenry, 328 F.3d 926, 929 (7th Cir.2003); see Farmers Automobile Ins. Ass'n v. Country Mutual Ins. Co., 309 Ill.App.3d 694, 243 Ill.Dec. 159, 722 N.E.2d 1228 (2000) ("the court should compare the four corners of the underlying complaint with the four corners of the insurance contract").
In determining the duty to defend, "courts liberally construe both the terms of an insurance policy and the allegations in the underlying complaint in favor of the insured." Nat. Amer. Ins. Co., 796 F.3d at 723, citing State Far Fire & Cas. Co. v. Perez, 387 Ill.App.3d 549, 326 Ill.Dec. 580, 899 N.E.2d 1231, 1235 (2008) ("[A]ny doubts and ambiguities are resolved against the insurer."). However, a court must be careful not to "create an ambiguity where none exists; a clear an unambiguous provision must be applied as written." Hurst-Rosche, 51 F.3d at 1342, citing South, 975 F.2d at 327.
The duty to indemnify is narrower than that of the duty to defend. Nat. Amer. Ins. Co., 796 F.3d at 724, citing Transcontinental Ins. Co. v. Nat'l Union Fire Ins. Co., 278 Ill.App.3d 357, 214 Ill.Dec. 934, 662 N.E.2d 500, 508 (1996). Because of this, where a court determines that there is not a duty to defend, there is likewise not a duty to indemnify for liability. Nationwide Ins. Co. v. Cent. Laborers' Pension Fund, 704 F.3d 522, 528 (7th Cir. 2013); Crum & Forster Managers Corp. v. Resolution Trust Corp., 156 Ill.2d 384, 189 Ill.Dec. 756, 620 N.E.2d 1073, 1081 (1993)
As noted in Plaintiff's second amended complaint, the Donnellys had two separate homeowner's policies, which, for purposes of this Order, were materially identical other than the effective dates (October 1, 2012 to October 1, 2013 for the first policy, see Doc. 12, and October 1, 2013 to October 1, 2014 for the second policy, see Doc. 1-3). In the complaint, Plaintiff calls the Court's attention to certain provisions in the policy, which, in their response, Defendants Jane Doe and Mary Doe characterize as an "accurate recitation" of the policies (See generally Docs. 1-2 and 1-3). Among the provisions, the Court notes the following language:
(Doc. 1-2 at 8).
(Id. at 28).
(Id. at 42).
Put simply, Plaintiff argues that the terms of the two homeowners' policies provide exclusions to any duty to defend or indemnify with respect to the state complaint. As required under Illinois law, they seek a declaratory judgment that coverage does not exist. The Court will address each of the claims of the state complaint in turn:
Count I of the state complaint states that Mr. Donnelly, step great-grandfather of Jane Doe "willfully and wantonly and/or intentionally engaged in acts of misconduct which constitute sexual abuse pursuant to 735 ILCS 5/13-202.2" (Doc. 27-1 at 2-3). Further in the complaint, it is noted that Mr. Donnelly pled guilty to a single count of Predatory Criminal Sexual Assault of a Victim Under the Age of 13 (Id. at 6). See 720 ILCS 5/11-1.40. Illinois courts utilize an "inferred-intent" rule. Under the rule, where an individual sexually abuses a minor, a court will find that, as a matter of law, the abuser intended to injure his or her victims. Sudder v. Hanover Ins. Co., 201 Ill.App.3d 921, 147 Ill.Dec. 386, 559 N.E.2d 559, 563-64 (1990). See also State Farm Fire & Cas. Co. v. Watters, 268 Ill.App.3d 501, 205 Ill.Dec. 936, 644 N.E.2d 492, 496 (1994) (collecting cases). As such, intent follows directly from the act. Id. Even where the allegations are only charged and are otherwise denied, insurance coverage is excluded under a typical homeowner's policy. Hartford Ins. Co. of Ill. v. Kelly, 309 Ill.App.3d 800, 243 Ill.Dec. 256, 723 N.E.2d 288, 293 (1999).
Here, James Donnelly was charged and convicted of sexual abuse of Jane Doe, a minor. Under Illinois' inferred-intent rule, his actions are deemed intentional and, under the terms of the policies, are not covered. As to Count I, Plaintiff motion is
A count of "tort of outrage" is typically synonymous with intentional infliction of emotional distress. Cain v. Osman, 286 Fed.Appx. 934, 937 (7th Cir. 2008), citing Robertson v. Travelers Ins. Co., 95 Ill.2d 441, 69 Ill.Dec. 954, 448 N.E.2d 866, 868-69 (1983); Feltmeier v. Feltmeier, 333 Ill.App.3d 1167, 268 Ill.Dec. 109, 777 N.E.2d 1032, 1037-38 (2002). As noted in Cain, "[u]nder Illinois law, a plaintiff claiming intentional infliction of emotional distress must prove that the defendant intentionally or recklessly engaged in `extreme and outrageous conduct' that caused severe emotional distress." 286 Fed.Appx. at 937, citing Sornberger v. City of Knoxville, Ill., 434 F.3d 1006, 1030 (7th Cir.2006). Indeed, the state complaint notes that Mr. Donnelly "engaged in a course of neglect and abuse constituting extreme, outrageous, and intentional acts," and claimed that the acts "were done willfully, maliciously, outrageously, deliberately, and purposefully with the intention to inflict emotional distress upon Plaintiff, Mary Doe...." (Doc. 27-1 at 4). Mr. Donnelly's acts were intentional and, for the reasons already stated above, do not fall within the policies' coverage.
Further, the "tort of outrage" count only includes emotional injuries, which are excluded unless they accompany a physical harm, which is not alleged. Therefore, as to Count II, Plaintiff motion is
While the docket shows a memorandum in opposition to the Plaintiff's motion, the only count on which there is disagreement between the parties is count III. In this count, Jane Doe and Mary Doe claim that Ms. Donnelly was guilty of negligently and carelessly supervising Jane Doe while in her care, failing to prevent Jane Doe's sexual abuse, and failing to protect Jane Doe (Doc. 27-1 at 5). As a result, Jane Doe "suffered serious, painful, and permanent
As stated above, coverage is excluded where an injury is expected or intended; it is treated as an intentional loss. In support of their argument, Plaintiff points to a 2002 decision by the Illinois Supreme Court, wherein the state high court specified the elements of negligent supervision. Norskog v. Pfiel, 197 Ill.2d 60, 257 Ill.Dec. 899, 755 N.E.2d 1, 17 (2002). Applied here, the Plaintiff state that in order for Jane Doe and Mary Doe to succeed on the state court claim of negligent supervision, they must show that Ms. Donnelly was "aware of specific instances of prior conduct sufficient to put [her] on notice that the act complained of [sexual abuse by Mr. Donnelly of Jane Doe] was likely to occur" Id.
Defendants argue that Norskog, and in fact the majority of the cases cited by the Plaintiff, are inapposite to the facts here. Defendants are correct that many of the citations made by Plaintiff are only tangentially related to the instant case. However, Plaintiff's argument on summary judgment, and more importantly, this Court's determination, does not rely on the analyses by the Illinois courts as to parental supervision, as in Norskog; Lott v. Strang, 312 Ill.App.3d 521, 245 Ill.Dec. 154, 727 N.E.2d 407, 408 (2000); and Appelhans v. McFall, 325 Ill.App.3d 232, 259 Ill.Dec. 124, 757 N.E.2d 987, 993 (2001), nor the determinations made by those courts on issues of respondeat superior in negligent supervision cases. Dennis v. Pace Suburban Bus Svce., 19 N.E.3d 85, 385 Ill.Dec. 527 (2014); Helfers-Beitz v. Degelman, 406 Ill.App.3d 264, 345 Ill.Dec. 907, 939 N.E.2d 1087 (2010). The Court's consideration of these cases is limited to the concise recitation of the elements of negligent supervision provided in Norskog, 257 Ill.Dec. 899, 755 N.E.2d at 17.
Plaintiff's next citation is far more on point. In Empire Indem. Co. v. Chicago Province of the Society of Jesus, multiple insurers sought a declaratory judgment finding that there was no duty to defend the Jesuits against sexual abuse claims made against a former priest. 2013 IL App (1st) 112346, 371 Ill.Dec. 657, 990 N.E.2d 845, 848 (2013). In their ruling, the court found that, as the complaint had alleged facts which demonstrated that the insured party (the Jesuits) were aware of the priest's pattern of sexual abuse, they "reasonably should have anticipated or expected the injuries" which would result and thus the "expected or intended exclusion" clause of the relevant policies applied. Id., 371 Ill.Dec. 657, 990 N.E.2d at 856.
In the instant case, Plaintiff argues that if Jane Doe is successful in proving that Ms. Donnelly was aware of Mr. Donnelly's prior conduct, sufficient to put her on notice that sexual abuse of Jane Doe was likely to occur (the first prong of negligent supervision), then, under Empire, she will have possessed knowledge sufficient that she should have "anticipated or expected the injuries" and thus the claim would be excluded from coverage (Doc. 30 at 14-15). Defendants point out that, at the time of filing, discovery had not been conducted in the state complaint, and therefore Ms. Donnelly's prior knowledge of prior conduct by Mr. Donnelly is unknown (Doc. 31 at 6). Nowhere in the state complaint is Ms. Donnelly's knowledge of Mr. Donnelly's conduct demonstrated, argued, or even addressed — it simply states that Ms. Donnelly was negligent and careless in allowing these events to occur. Thus, as argued by Jane Doe and Mary Doe in their response to Plaintiff's motion, and by Ms.
However, this does not matter:
Starr Indem. & Liab. Co. v. Boys & Girls Club of Carbondale, 2012 WL 5843159 at *2 (S.D.Ill. Nov. 19, 2012), quoting Ill. Emcasco Ins. Co. v. Northwestern. Nat. Cas. Co., 337 271 Ill.Dec. 711, 785 N.E.2d 905, 909 (2003). In order to prevail in the state complaint as to count III, the Defendants must necessarily prove the first prong of the negligent supervision standard — Ms. Donnelly's awareness of any prior conduct by Mr. Donnelly sufficient to put her on notice that further abuse was likely to occur. In doing so, the Defendants will have proven facts that demonstrate that the loss is outside the coverage of the insurance policy and therefore there is not a duty to defend.
Defendants' argue that the Plaintiff's failure to exclude negligent supervision from the policy was a decision on their part and that any ambiguity in the policy must be interpreted in favor of the insured. While the Court agrees with the general proposition, that ambiguity must be construed against the insurer, the Court disagrees that any such ambiguity exists here, and the Court will not "create an ambiguity where none exists; a clear an unambiguous provision must be applied as written." Hurst-Rosche, 51 F.3d at 1342, citing South, 975 F.2d at 327. As to Count III, Plaintiff motion is
Here, as with Counts I and II, the parties are essentially in agreement — Plaintiff does not have a duty to defend or indemnify. In the state complaint, Jane Doe and Mary Doe seek equitable relief from alleged fraudulent transfers by the Donnellys (Doc. 27-1 at 6-13). The policy pays for monetary damages related to "bodily injury" and "property damage"; equitable relief is excluded from coverage. O'Brien & Associates, P.C. v. Tim Thompson, Inc., 274 Ill.App.3d 472, 210 Ill.Dec. 761, 653 N.E.2d 956, 960 (1995). Further, the claims clearly state that the transfers were made with "actual intent" (Doc. 27-1 at 8), were thus expected or intended and fall outside of coverage. As to Counts IV, V, VI, and VII, Plaintiff motion is
For the above-stated reasons, the Court