P.I. & I. Motor Express, Inc. v. RLI Insurance Company

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO

EASTERN DIVISION

PI&I MOTOR EXPRESS, INC., et al., ) CASE NO. 4:19CV1008

)

Plaintiffs, ) MAGISTRATE JUDGE

) GEORGE J. LIMBERT

v. )

)

RLI INSURANCE COMPANY, et al., ) MEMORANDUM OPINION

) AND ORDER

Defendant. )

This matter is before the Court on a motion for judgment on the pleadings filed by Defendant

RLI Insurance Company (“RLI”) on July 8, 2019. ECF Dkt. #13. Plaintiffs PI&I Motor Express,

Inc., Elite Leasing, Inc., Joseph Kerola, Sr., Pamela Kerola, and JWK Bros., Inc. (collectively

“Plaintiffs”) filed an opposition brief on August 6, 2019. ECF Dkt. #18. Both parties filed

subsequent reply briefs. ECF Dkt. #s 19, 21, 27. For the following reasons, the Court DENIES

Defendant RLI’s motion for judgment on the pleadings (ECF Dkt. #13), GRANTS Plaintiffs’ motion

to amend to add a reformation claim, and DENIES Plaintiffs’ alternative request to convert the

instant motion into one for summary judgment (ECF Dkt. #18).

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

This case concerns insurance coverage for an underlying personal injury lawsuit

(“Underlying Lawsuit”) in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in which Plaintiffs were named as

defendants. In the Underlying Lawsuit, plaintiff Ryan Marshall, Sr. (“Marshall”) sought to recover

damages for personal injuries he sustained when a pipe that was being loaded onto a truck fell and

crushed his legs. The injuries were so severe that Marshall’s legs required amputation. See ECF Dkt.

#13 at 2, #18 at 9.

Plaintiffs, in the instant case, seek defense and indemnity for the Underlying Lawsuit under

a policy of commercial general liability insurance that RLI issued to Plaintiff PI&I Motor Express,

Inc. (“Motor Express”). RLI defended Plaintiffs in the Underlying Lawsuit under a reservation of

rights, and the Underlying Lawsuit has since been settled. ECF Dkt. #13 at 2; #18 at 15; #23.

A. Parties and Factual Background

Plaintiff Motor Express is a registered Ohio for-profit corporation that operates a full-service

truck and motor carrier business throughout the United States. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at ¶¶3, 16; #13 at 2;

#18 at 10. Plaintiffs Elite Leasing, Inc. (“Elite”) and JWK Bros., Inc. (“JWK”) are Ohio

corporations, and are affiliates of Motor Express. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at ¶¶ 4-5; #13 at 2. Plaintiff Joseph

Kerola, Sr. is president of Motor Express, general manager of Elite, and president of JWK, and

Plaintiff Pamela Kerola is Joseph Kerola’s wife. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at ¶¶6-7; #13 at 2.

Dura-Bond Industries (“Dura-Bond”) manufactures and stores large industrial pipes at its

facility in Duquesne, Pennsylvania, and it outsources its on-site hauling needs, which fluctuates

daily. ECF Dkt. #18 at 10 (citing ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 13, 23). Plaintiffs clarified that Dura-Bond

typically used Robert Wallace for its on-site hauling needs. ECF Dkt. #18 at 10 (citing ECF Dkt. #4-

2 at 12-14); see ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 8. Around 2007, Wallace entered into an independent contract

agreement with Motor Express and began to run his trucks under Motor Express’ operating

authority. ECF Dkt. #18 at 10 (citing ECF Dkt. #4-3 at 22). Trucks operating under Motor Express’

operating authority are driven by independent contractor drivers, drivers of the trucking companies,

or drivers provided by professional-employer organizations. ECF Dkt. #18 at 10 (citing ECF Dkt.

#1-1 at 6 ¶18). Pursuant to its federal and state regulatory requirements, Motor Express must screen

and approve drivers and provide certain safety information and instruction for trucks to be driven

under its operating authority. Drivers must also sign an independent contractor agreement which

requires drivers to provide their own insurance. ECF Dkt. #18 at 10 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 6 ¶19;

#4-2 at 8-9).

Dura-Bond hired Motor Express to move freight around its facility using trucks bearing the

Motor Express placard and operating under Motor Express’ Federal Motor Carrier operating

authority. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at ¶ 21; #13 at 3; #18 at 10. Dura-Bond worked directly with Wallace on

its daily hauling needs. ECF Dkt. # 18 at 10 (citing ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 12; #4-3 at 23). At times,

Wallace did not have sufficient drivers to handle Dura-Bond’s workload. In such a case, Wallace

would bring in a third party for drivers, including Sam Russell Trucking (“Russell Trucking”). Id.

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(citing ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 11; #4-3 at 25). Russell Trucking also had an independent contracting

agreement with Motor Express to operate its trucks under Motor Express’ operating authority. Id.

at 11 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 6 ¶22). Under this arrangement, among other things, Motor Express

leased trucks from Russell Trucking to perform the work required by Dura-Bond at its facility. ECF

Dkt. #13 at 3 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 6 ¶22). Motor Express received weekly logs, invoiced Dura-

Bond, and then paid Wallace (or third parties such as Russell Trucking) a percentage of the sum

received from Dura-Bond. Id. (citing ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 13).

Ryan Marshall (the underlying plaintiff) was a former Dura-Bond employee, and applied

with Russell Trucking to drive its trucks as an independent contractor. ECF Dkt. 13 at 3; #18 at 11;

#1-1 at 7 ¶23. Motor Express screened Marshall and approved him as a driver with Russell Trucking

for purposes of the work at Dura-Bond, subject to training by Russell Trucking. ECF Dkt. 13 at 3

(citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 7 ¶23); #18 at 11. Marshall signed a Driver Lease Agreement with Russell

Trucking wherein Marshall noted that he was an independent contractor who was leasing one of

Russell trucking’s trucks and that he was responsible for securing his own workers compensation

coverage. ECF Dkt. #18 at 11 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 7 ¶24). On or about May 27, 2014, Marshall

began driving Russell Trucking’s trucks under Motor Express’ operating authority. ECF Dkt. #18

at 11 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 7 ¶¶23-26; #4-2 at 4, 6).

After his training was completed, Marshall’s assigned job at the Dura-Bond facility was to

drive truckloads of Dura-Bond pipe across the facility grounds. ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; 18 at 11 (both

citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at ¶ 26). Marshall received his assignments and pay from Russell Trucking,

and on-site Dura-Bond personnel1 instructed Marshall where to transport the loads. Motor Express

was not involved in these daily operations and did not pay Marshall. ECF Dkt. #18 at 11 (citing ECF

Dkt. #1-1 at ¶ 26; #4-3 at 16).

On June 27, 2014, while working at the Dura-Bond facility, Marshall sustained injuries that

permanently disabled him. ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; #18 at 11. Marshall was standing outside his truck

1The ALJ’s opinion in the workers’ compensation proceeding noted that Marshall was given daily direction

by a Mr. McFarland, a worker whom Marshall thought was an employee of Dura-Bond but whom was actually a worker

of Wallace Trucking. ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 5.

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while Dura-Bond personnel loaded pipe onto the truck with a forklift. When a Dura-Bond employee

was backing up in the forklift, he bumped into a pipe and the load fell, hitting Marshall and crushing

his legs, which had to be amputated. ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; #18 at 11 (both citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 7

¶27).

Marshall filed several workers’ compensation claim administrative petitions against Motor

Express, Russell Trucking, and the Pennsylvania Uninsured Employers Guaranty Fund (“UEGF”).

ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; #18 at 11-12; #1-1 at 8 ¶29. The UEGF filed a petition to join Dura-Bond to the

proceedings, which were consolidated into a single proceeding. ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; #18 at 12; #1-1

at 8 ¶29. Marshall also filed a lawsuit in state court asserting tort liability against Motor Express,

Dura-Bond, Wallace, and Russell Trucking and others. ECF Dkt. #18 at 12 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1

at 9 ¶¶34-36).

B. Pennsylvania Workers Compensation Proceedings

The Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) in the workers’ compensation proceeding found

Russell Trucking to be Marshall’s immediate employer. However, unbeknownst to Motor Express,

Russell Trucking did not have workers compensation insurance. ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; #18 at 12 (citing

ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 8 ¶30; #4-2 at 18). The ALJ further found both Motor Express and Dura-Bond to

be Marshall’s “statutory employers,” which finding the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation

Appeal Board affirmed. ECF Dkt. #13 at 3; #18 at 12-13; #1-1 at 8 ¶31; #4-3 at 28-29.

The instant Complaint states that neither Russell Trucking nor Motor Express carried

workers compensation insurance in Pennsylvania, but Dura-Bond did. Thus, Dura-Bond, as required

by law, has been paying for Marshall’s workers compensation claim. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 8 ¶32. Dura-

Bond subsequently asserted a right of indemnity against Motor Express in a civil action in

Pennsylvania for the workers compensation costs and expenses it paid to Marshall related to the

accident. Id. at 9 ¶33. The status of this suit is unknown.

C. Underlying Lawsuit: Pennsylvania Civil Action

Marshall also filed a civil action in Pennsylvania state court against Motor Express and

certain related individuals and affiliates, Russell Trucking, Wallace, and Dura-Bond. Marshall

sought compensatory and punitive damages for his injuries. The civil action was stayed pending the

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Workers Compensation Proceeding. ECF Dkt. #18 at 14 (citing ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 9 ¶¶34-36).

According to a joint status report filed on September 6, 2019, the parties settled the Underlying

Lawsuit during a mediation. ECF Dkt. #23.

D. RLI Policy

RLI is an Illinois for-profit insurance company that issues various insurance policies to

entities around the United States and in Ohio. ECF Dkt. #1 at 1; #1-1 at 3 ¶8. RLI issued a policy

(“RLI Policy”2) of commercial general liability insurance to Motor Express for the period from June

1, 2014 to June 1, 2015, under which Plaintiffs seek defense and indemnity for the Underlying

Lawsuit. ECF Dkt. #13 at 5; #18 at 15. A copy of the RLI Policy was attached to RLI’s Answer and

Counterclaim, and therefore, constitute part of the pleadings. ECF Dkt. #13 at 5 (citing Fed. R. Civ.

P 10(c)); ECF Dkt. #4-1; see also ECF Dkt. #1-1 (RLI Policy was also attached to the notice of

removal). The parties dispute which individuals and entities are insured under the RLI Policy and

the Court will address these arguments and specific facts more in depth later in this decision.

E. Federal Case

On April 4, 2019, Plaintiffs filed a Complaint in the Court of Common Pleas in Trumbull

County, Ohio, which contained seven counts against Defendants RLI and TrueNorth Companies,

L.C. (“TrueNorth”). ECF Dkt. #1-1. The Complaint alleges the following counts: (1) declaratory

judgment against RLI; (2) anticipatory breach of contract against RLI; (3) negligent

misrepresentation against TrueNorth; (4) professional negligence/negligent procurement against

TrueNorth; (5) breach of fiduciary duty against TrueNorth; (6) breach of contract against TrueNorth;

and (7) unjust enrichment against TrueNorth. Id. By stipulation of the parties, Plaintiffs dismissed

with prejudice their instant claims against Defendant TrueNorth after having settled, leaving RLI

as the remaining defendant and Counts One and Two pending. ECF Dkt. #s 23, 28, 29.

On May 6, 2019, RLI removed the case from the Court of Common Pleas to the United

States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. ECF Dkt. #1. On that same day, RLI filed

2Plaintiffs refer to this policy as the “CGL Policy” in the Complaint and in their brief. See ECF Dkt. #1-1; #18.

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an Answer and Counterclaim against all Plaintiffs. ECF Dkt. #4. On June 6, 2019, the parties

consented to the exercise of jurisdiction by a United States Magistrate Judge. ECF Dkt. #9.

RLI filed the instant motion for judgment on the pleadings on July 8, 2019. ECF Dkt. #13.

Plaintiffs filed a response brief in opposition to the motion on August 6, 2019. ECF Dkt. #18. On

August 20, 2019, RLI filed a reply brief. ECF Dkt. #19. With permission from the Court, Plaintiffs

filed a sur-reply on August 27, 2019, and RLI filed a response to Plaintiffs’ sur-reply on September

10, 2019. ECF Dkt. #s 21, 27.

II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

Federal Civil Rule 12(c) provides that “[a]fter the pleadings are closed – but early enough

not to delay the trial – a party may move for judgment on the pleadings.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 12(c). A

court reviews a Rule 12(c) motion for judgment on the pleadings under the same standard as a

motion to dismiss under Rule 12(b)(6). Fritz v. Charter Twp. of Comstock, 592 F.3d 718, 722 (6th

Cir. 2010); Jackson v. Prof’l Radiology Inc., 864 F.3d 463, 465-66 (6th Cir. 2017); Boulger v.

Woods, 917 F.3d 471, 478 (6th Cir. 2019).

Thus, “[f]or purposes of a motion for judgment on the pleadings, all well-pleaded material

allegations of the pleadings of the opposing party must be taken as true, and the motion may be

granted only if the moving party is nevertheless clearly entitled to judgment.” McGlone v. Bell, 681

F.3d 718, 728 (6th Cir. 2012) (quoting JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., v. Winget, 510 F.3d 577, 581

(6th Cir. 2007)). Although a complaint need not contain “detailed factual allegations,” it does

require more than “labels and conclusions” or “a formulaic recitation of the elements of a cause of

action.” Bell Atl. Corp. v. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544, 555 (2007). Thus, a complaint survives a motion

to dismiss if it “contain[s] sufficient factual matter, accepted as true, to state a claim to relief that

is plausible on its face.” Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009) (internal quotations omitted). “[A]

claim has facial plausibility when the plaintiff pleads factual content that allows the court to draw

the reasonable inference that the defendant is liable for the misconduct alleged.” Hensley Mfg. v.

ProPride, Inc., 579 F.3d 603, 609 (6th Cir. 2009) (quoting Iqbal, 556 U.S. at 678). A motion for

judgment on the pleadings “is granted when no material issue of fact exists and the party making the

motion is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.” JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. v. Winget, 510 F.3d

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577, 582 (6th Cir. 2007) (quoting Paskvan v. City of Cleveland Civil Serv. Comm’n, 946 F.2d 1233,

1235 (6th Cir.1991)).

III. LAW AND ANALYSIS

Defendant RLI attacks both Counts One and Two that remain pending against RLI, which

is the only remaining Defendant in the instant case. RLI’s defenses are also reiterated in its

Counterclaim against Plaintiffs. Essentially, RLI argues that, based on the Workers Compensation

adjudication, Plaintiffs are collaterally estopped from arguing that the underlying plaintiff, Marshall,

was not an employee of Motor Express, and, consequently, due to his “employee” status, RLI argues

that the Employee Exclusion of the RLI Policy precludes coverage. ECF Dkt. #4 at 9; #13 at 9, 11.

RLI further contends that it has no duty to defend or indemnify Plaintiffs in the Underlying Lawsuit.

ECF Dkt. #4 at 10; #13 at 15-16.

B. Employee Exclusion under RLI Policy

1. Collateral Estoppel

The parties agree that Ohio law governs the interpretation of the RLI Policy in the instant

insurance claim, whereas Pennsylvania law governed the Workers Compensation adjudication and

the Underlying Lawsuit. See ECF Dkt. #13 at 15 n.3; #18 at 18. However, RLI asserts that

Pennsylvania law governs the “workers compensation issues,” specifically Marshall’s employment

status. ECF Dkt. #13 at 15 n.3; #19. RLI relies heavily on Pennsylvania case law to conclude that,

because the ALJ in the workers compensation proceeding determined that Motor Express was one

of Marshall’s “statutory employers,” Marshall is therefore an “employee” of Motor Express under

the RLI Policy, which excludes coverage for “bodily injur[ies]” to an insured’s “employee.” ECF

Dkt. #13 at 9; see ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 10. Accordingly, RLI argues that the issue of Marshall’s

employment status relative to Motor Express is collaterally estopped from being re-litigated in the

instant suit. ECF Dkt. #13 at 9-14; #19.

Plaintiffs respond that the elements of collateral estoppel are not met. ECF Dkt. #21.

Specifically, Plaintiffs allege that the RLI Policy and its defined terms were not at issue, nor were

they actually litigated or determined, and that RLI was not a party or otherwise involved in the

workers compensation proceeding. Id. at 1-6. Plaintiffs also contend that the factual findings from

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the workers compensation proceeding do not establish Marshall’s employment status as a matter of

law and that RLI’s arguments are premature and improper for a motion for judgment on the

pleadings. Id. at 2, 6-9.

Generally, when determining whether a state court judgment has any preclusive effect upon

a subsequent action brought in federal court, “the Full Faith and Credit Act, 28 U.S.C. § 1738,

requires the federal court to give the prior adjudication the same preclusive effect it would have

under the law of the state whose court issued the judgment,” unless a statutory exception exists.

Heyliger v. State Univ. and Cmty. Coll. Sys. of Tennessee, 126 F.3d 849, 851 -852 (6th Cir. 1997)

(citing Migra v. Warren City School Dist., 465 U.S. 75, 81 (1984) and Allen v. McCurry, 449 U.S.

90, 96 (1980)). The statute encompasses the doctrines of collateral estoppel, or issue preclusion, and

res judicata, or claim preclusion. San Remo Hotel, L.P. v. City and Cty. of San Francisco, Cal., 545

U.S. 323, 336 (2005) (citing Allen v. McCurry, 449 U.S. 90, 94-96 (1980)). When a federal court

is asked to give preclusive effect to a state court judgment, the federal court must apply the law of

the state in which the prior judgment was rendered in determining whether and to what extent the

prior judgment should be given preclusive effect in a federal action. 28 U.S.C. § 1738; Migra, 465

U.S. at 81; Bay Area Factors v. Calvert (In re Calvert), 105 F.3d 315, 317 (6th Cir. 1997). This rule

also applies when the earlier judgment was a final determination of an administrative body acting

in a “judicial capacity.” Astoria Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass’n v. Solimino, 501 U.S. 104, 107, 111 S. Ct.

2166, 2169, 115 L. Ed. 2d 96 (1991) (citing United States v. Utah Constr. & Mining Co., 384 U.S.

394, 422 (1966)). In this case, Pennsylvania law applies as it was the Pennsylvania Workers

Compensation proceeding that rendered the final judgment for which RLI in the instant case seeks

preclusive effect.

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania recently described the doctrine of collateral estoppel

as “preclud[ing] relitigation of an issue settled in a previous action” if the following elements are

met:

(1) the issue decided in the prior case is identical to the one presented in the later

action;

(2) there was a final adjudication on the merits;

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(3) the party against whom the plea [collateral estoppel] is asserted was a party or in

privity with a party in the prior case;

(4) the party or person privy to the party against whom the doctrine is asserted had

a full and fair opportunity to litigate the issue in the prior proceeding; and

(5) the determination in the prior proceeding was essential to the judgment.

Skotnicki v. Ins. Dep’t, 644 Pa. 215, 229, 175 A.3d 239, 247 (2017) (citing Office of Disciplinary

Counsel v. Kiesewetter, 585 Pa. 477, 889 A.2d 47, 50–51 (2005)); see also In re Estate of Plance,

644 Pa. 232, 267-68 (2017). Regarding the issue of Marshall’s employment status, Plaintiffs argue

that elements one, three, and four above are not met. ECF Dkt. #21. Accordingly, the Court will

focus its discussion on those elements.

Elements three and four of collateral estoppel are met. “There is no requirement under the

doctrine of collateral estoppel that the party raising the defense [RLI] be involved in the original

action, but only that the party against whom it is being raised [Plaintiffs] was a party in the initial

proceedings.” See Shiffer v. Liberty Mut. Fire Ins. Co., No. 3:17-CV-978, 2019 WL 3297513, at *7

n.7 (M.D. Pa. July 22, 2019) (citing Incollingo v. Maurer, 394 Pa.Super. 352, 357-58, 575 A.2d 939,

941 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1990)). In addition, when there is no conflict of interest, an insurer is generally

in privity with its insured for purposes of collateral estoppel. Consol. Rail Corp. v. Hartford Acc.

& Indem. Co., 676 F. Supp. 82, 85-86 (E.D. Pa. 1987); see Catroppa v. Carlton, 998 A.2d 643, 646

(Pa. Super. Ct. 2010) (citing Dally v. Pennsylvania Threshermen & Farmers’ Mut. Cas. Ins. Co.,

374 Pa. 476, 97 A.2d 795, 796 (1953)). Privity requires “such an identification of interest of one

person with another as to represent the same legal right.” Catroppa, 998 A.2d at 646 (citing Ammon

v. McCloskey, 440 Pa.Super. 251, 655 A.2d 549, 554 (1995)). Plaintiffs only contend that RLI was

not involved in the workers compensation proceeding, but it is not required under the doctrine of

collateral estoppel. Even if it were required, RLI, as the insurer without an apparent conflict of

interest, would have been in privity with the insured in the prior proceeding. With regard to element

four, Plaintiffs had a full and fair opportunity to litigate Marshall’s employment status in the workers

compensation proceeding. In fact, Marshall’s employment status was a central issue to the workers’

compensation proceeding in order to establish the hierarchy of which parties would be liable for

payment. See ECF Dkt. #4-2; #4-3.

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Regarding the first element of collateral estoppel, Plaintiffs assert that the issues are not

identical. ECF Dkt. #21. Plaintiffs claim that Marshall qualifies as a “temporary worker” under the

RLI Policy, which, if true, would make the Employer’s Liability Exclusion inapplicable. ECF Dkt.

#18 at 20-27; #21. The Employer’s Liability Exclusion provision that RLI relies on, Section

I(A)(2)(e) of the RLI Policy, states the following:

This insurance does not apply to:

...

“Bodily injury” to:

(1) An “employee” of the insured arising out of and in the course of:

(a) Employment by the insured; or

(b) Performing duties related to the conduct of the insured’s business

...

This exclusion applies whether the insured may be liable as an employer or in any

other capacity and to any obligation to share damages with or repay someone else

who must pay damages because of the injury.

This exclusion does not apply to liability assumed by the insured under an “insured

contract”.

ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 10-11. Section V of the RLI Policy includes the following relevant definitions:

3. “Bodily injury” means bodily injury, sickness or disease sustained by a person,

including death resulting from any of these at any time.

5. “Employee” includes a “leased worker”. “Employee” does not include a

“temporary worker”.

10. “Leased worker” means a person leased to you by a labor leasing firm under an

agreement between you and the labor leasing firm, to perform duties related to the

conduct of your business. “Leased worker” does not include a “temporary worker”.

19. “Temporary worker” means a person who is furnished to you to substitute for a

permanent “employee” on leave or to meet seasonal or short-term workload

conditions.

ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 22-23, 25.

Plaintiffs further contend that even if Pennsylvania workers compensation law is considered

in the interpretation of the RLI Policy, RLI’s argument should still be rejected. ECF Dkt. #18 at 22.

Specifically, Plaintiffs state that, as RLI “admitted” in its motion, a “statutory employer” under

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Pennsylvania law is not an actual employer or a common law employer. Id. (citing Peck v. Delaware

Cty. Bd. of Prisoner Inspectors, 572 Pa. 249, 253, 814 A.2d 185, 187-88 (Pa. 2002) (“A statutory

employer is a master who is not a contractual or common-law one, but is made one by the Act)); see

ECF Dkt. #13 at 9. However, a statutory employer stands in the same position as a direct employer,

and may claim the defense of workers’ compensation immunity. ECF Dkt. #13 at 10 (citing Peck,

572 Pa. at 254–55 (“Section 203, by placing the statutory employer in the same position as the

‘contractual’ or ‘common law’ employer of the injured worker for tort liability purposes, entitles the

statutory employer to the same immunity from suit that would be enjoyed by the ‘contractual’ or

‘common law’ employer.”)). Moreover, both parties agree that the purpose of the Pennsylvania

statutory employment doctrine is to “ensure the payment of workers’ compensation benefits by a

financially-responsible party in the injured worker’s chain of employment if the direct employer fails

to do so.” ECF Dkt. #13 at 10; #18 at 22 (both citing Peck, 572 Pa. at 254). The statutory employer

is secondarily liable for workers’ compensation benefits to the injured worker if the subcontractor

who is primarily liable has failed to secure benefits. ECF Dkt. #13 at 10 (citing Dougherty v.

Conduit & Found. Corp., 449 Pa. Super. 405, 411, 674 A.2d 262, 265 (1996)).

For support, RLI relies heavily on Frederick Mut. Ins. Co. v. Ahatov, 274 F. Supp. 3d 273

(E.D. Pa. 2017). Ahatov, who was retained and employed by subcontractor Tull, filed a petition for

workers compensation benefits, asserting that general contractor Concept was his employer3. Id. at

277. Concept was found to be Ahatov’s “statutory employer” and was required to pay worker’s

compensation benefits if Tull did not. Id. at 277-278. Concept then sought coverage from its general

liability insurer, Frederick, who argued that its policy exclusion for injuries to the insured’s

employee precluded coverage. See id. at 278-79, 282.

The Ahatov court first interpreted the insurance policy at issue under Pennsylvania law,

which is similar to Ohio law in that insurance contracts are interpreted under the plain meaning of

the stated terms, unless an ambiguity exists, in which case the ambiguous term is construed to favor

3Compare Ahatov to Marshall, Tull to Russell Trucking, Concept to Motor Express, and insurer Frederick to

RLI.

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the insured. Frederick Mut. Ins. Co. v. Ahatov, 274 F. Supp. 3d 273, 278, 283 (E.D. Pa. 2017)

(explaining Pennsylvania law regarding insurance contract interpretation); see, e.g., Rhoades v.

Equitable Life Assur. Soc. of U.S., 374 N.E.2d 643, 644 (Ohio 1978) (“It is well-settled in Ohio that

insurance policies should be enforced in accordance with their terms as are other written

contracts.”); Universal Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Shuff, 423 N.E.2d 417, 418 (Ohio 1981) (same);

Hybud Equip. Corp. v. Sphere Drake Ins. Co., 597 N.E.2d 1096, 1102 (Ohio 1992) (stating that

courts may not rewrite a contract “when the intent of the parties is evident, i.e., if the language of

the policy’s provisions is clear and unambiguous . . . .”); Gomolka v. State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co., 436

N.E.2d 1347, 1351 (Ohio 1982) (“The intention of the parties must be derived instead from the

instrument as a whole, and not from detached or isolated parts thereof.”); Wohl v. Swinney, 888

N.E.2d 1062, 1066 (Ohio 2008) (“When interpreting a contract, we will presume that words are used

for a specific purpose and will avoid interpretations that render portions meaningless or

unnecessary.”); Blue Cross & Blue Shield Mut. of Ohio v. Hrenko, 647 N.E.2d 1358, 1360 (Ohio

1995) (“It is well-settled law in Ohio that insurance policies should be construed liberally in favor

of the insured.”); see also Money Station, Inc. v. Elec. Payment Serv., Inc., 735 N.E.2d 966, 970

(1999) (“When a court finds a ambiguity in a contract, the court may look to extrinsic, or parol,

evidence to determine the parties’ intent.”); Lincoln Elec. Co. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Ins. Co.,

210 F.3d 672, 685 (6th Cir. 2000) (If “an ambiguity in the contract [exists], that ambiguity must be

construed against the drafting party.”).

The Ahatov court agreed with insurer Frederick, stating the following:

Frederick has accepted that it has the burden to prove the applicability of the relevant

exclusions. We conclude that it has met this burden and has provided persuasive case

law to support its position. The plain meaning of exclusion 11 precludes coverage

for bodily injuries suffered by employees in the course of their employment by the

insured. It is undisputed that the “insured” in this context is Concept. While Ahatov

was reportedly employed by Tull, the subcontractor, his entitlement to benefits,

unfulfilled by Tull’s failure to secure workers’ compensation insurance, kicks up to

Concept as the general contractor. Further, Ahatov is the “employee” of Concept

given his judicial admission in the Workers’ Compensation Claim Petition and the

Workers’ Compensation Judge’s ruling that he was Concept’s statutory employee.

Thus, under this exclusion, coverage is barred as Ahatov (the employee) was injured

in the course of employment with the insured (Concept).

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Id. at 283-84 (internal citations omitted) (emphasis added). Importantly, the court also noted that

“[a]djudications by worker’s compensation judges in Pennsylvania are afforded collateral

estoppel/res judicata effect, barring re-litigation of the issues decided in the worker’s compensation

forum by those same parties in a later civil action.” Id. at 283 n.7 (citing Grant v. GAF Corp., 415

Pa. Super. 137, 151-52, 608 A.2d 1047, 1055 (Pa. Super. Ct. 1992), aff’d sub nom. Gasperin v. GAF

Corp., 536 Pa. 429, 639 A.2d 1170 (1994)).

Although Marshall’s employment status for workers’ compensation purposes was litigated

in a prior suit, the particular issue of whether Marshall qualifies as a “temporary worker” under the

RLI Policy was not actually litigated. Frederick Mut. Ins. Co. v. Ahatov, 274 F. Supp. 3d 273 (E.D.

Pa. 2017) appears to be directly on point: the policy exclusion in that case extended to bodily injury

to an “employee,” Ahatov, of the “insured,” Concept, if it occurred in the course of employment by

the “insured.” See id. at 280-81. However, “employee” was never defined in the opinion, and the

court found that Ahatov was “the ‘employee’ of Concept given his judicial admission in the

Workers’ Compensation Claim Petition and the Workers’ Compensation Judge’s ruling that he was

Concept’s statutory employee.” Id. at 283.

Like the Ahatov court, this court must first look to the plain meaning of the stated contract

terms in the RLI Policy in light of Ohio’s rules of contract interpretation. Here, the Employers’

Liability Exclusion similarly applies to bodily injuries to an “employee,” but this term is narrowly

defined to include only a “leased worker” and excludes a “temporary worker,” a distinction absent

from the Ahatov opinion. See ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 22. Another important distinction between these

cases is that Ahatov was decided on summary judgment, whereas the instant motion is for judgment

on the pleadings. This court’s review is more limited because Plaintiffs’ pleadings must be construed

as true. McGlone v. Bell, 681 F.3d 718, 728 (6th Cir. 2012) (quoting JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.,

v. Winget, 510 F.3d 577, 581 (6th Cir. 2007)). Also, Plaintiffs’ well-pleaded allegations, taken as

true, will survive the instant motion if it states “a claim to relief that is plausible on its face.”

Ashcroft v. Iqbal, 556 U.S. 662 (2009) (internal quotations omitted) (emphasis added). In addition,

“matters of public record, orders, items appearing in the record of the case, and exhibits attached to

the complaint also may be taken into account.” Barany-Snyder v. Weiner, 539 F.3d 327, 332 (6th

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Cir. 2008) (citing Amini v. Oberlin Coll., 259 F.3d 493, 502 (6th Cir.2001) (quoting Nieman v. NLO,

Inc., 108 F.3d 1546, 1554 (6th Cir.1997))) (internal brackets omitted).

For review, “temporary worker” is defined in the RLI Policy as “a person who is furnished

to you to substitute for a permanent ‘employee’ on leave or to meet seasonal or short-term workload

conditions.” ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 25. Plaintiffs do not argue that Marshall was hired as a substitute for

another permanent employee and they expressly state that they do not argue that he was a seasonal

employee. ECF Dkt. #21 at 8. Rather, Plaintiffs argue that Marshall was hired to fulfill “short-term

work conditions,” a term, Plaintiffs contend, is undefined in the RLI Policy and has been held to

have a wide variety of applications. ECF Dkt. #18 at 26 (citing Central Mut. Ins. Co. v. True

Plastics, Inc., 992 N.E.2d 385, 390 (Mass.App.Ct. 2013) (“A short-term working condition need not

necessarily be of finite duration.”); Bituminous Cas. Corp. v. Mike Ross, Inc., 413 F.Supp.2d 740,

745 (N.D.W.Va. 2006) (“short-term workload conditions” is ambiguous: “Does this phrase mean

a worker can work only one hour to be considered ‘temporary?’ Five hours? Ten hours? One day?

Ten days? Four months? Six months? One year? This question is impossible to answer based on the

language in the policy.”)). Although neither party mentioned this aspect of the definition, “furnished

to” is also an important element of the definition. In an unpublished opinion, the Sixth Circuit ruled

on an CGL policy’s employer’s exclusion with identical wording and terms. See Gen. Agents Ins.

Co. of Am. v. Mandrill Corp., 243 Fed.Appx. 961 (6th Cir. 2007). The court focused on the earlier

portion of the definition of “temporary worker,” stating that the phrase “furnished to” necessarily

requires the involvement of a third party, “such as a temporary staffing agency, that supplies the

worker to the insured employer.” Id. at 967-68. Plaintiffs’ contend that Marshall was “furnished”

by Russell Trucking to Motor Express, whereas RLI argues that, by sending in a job application

himself, Marshall was not “furnished” by any party at all. See ECF Dkt. #18 at 26; #19 at 10.

Furthermore, Plaintiffs’ Complaint alleges that “Motor Express’ business model . . . follows

an ‘employee leasing’ arrangement under which it does not own any trucks or employ any

individuals.” ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 5 ¶17. Plaintiffs also allege that trucks operating under Motor

Express’ operating authority are driven by three types of drivers: independent contractors,

employees of fleet owners, and employees of professional-employer organizations. Id. at 6 ¶18.

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Plaintiffs’ Complaint never mentions Mr. Wallace or Wallace Trucking. However, in their merits

brief, Plaintiffs refer to attached affidavits of Joseph Kerola and Robert Wallace, in which they

testified that Wallace Trucking was the main provider of truck drivers to Motor Express and when

Wallace Trucking could not meet demand, then Wallace would call a third party, like Russell

Trucking, to furnish more temporary drivers, like Marshall, to Motor Express for a particular day.

ECF Dkt. #18 at 14; #18-1; #18-2; see also ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 14 (summarizing testimony that

because trucks were essential for the plant’s continued operation, Wallace eventually connected with

Mr. Russell and Russell Trucking). This seems to contradict the Complaint, which states that Motor

Express had a long-standing independent contracting arrangement with Russell Trucking. ECF Dkt.

#1-1 at 6 ¶22; but see ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 23 (ALJ finding that Marshall “was not an independent

contractor under any test”). The Complaint describes Marshall’s status as that of an independent

contractor, but it makes no mention of facts supporting a “short-term workload” position. ECF Dkt.

#1-1 at 7 ¶24. Rather, Plaintiffs’ brief, referring to the ALJ’s opinion, mentions that Marshall

admitted that Russell Trucking did not require him to work every day. ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 17; see also

id. at 13. According to the ALJ’s decision, Marshall needed to call in each evening to determine

whether he was going to have work the following day. Id. at 6. Marshall claimed that he “was hired

as a full-time employee but they only [had] work for [him] roughly three or four times per week.”

Id. at 17. The record also demonstrates that Marshall was employed in his truck driver position for

only a brief period of time; it appears that Marshall was hired approximately 1 month before his

accident. See ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 7 ¶¶25, 27; #4-2 at 6, 16-17. The ALJ also made the following

finding:

[Motor Express], notably, could not undertake its business purpose without Mr.

Marshall’s labor and, by admission of Mr. Kerola, [Motor Express] could not

complete its contract with Dura-Bond without Mr. Marshall’s labor. Indeed, the labor

of a truck driver was and is integral to the operation of a motor carrier allowing its

agents to operate trucks. The driving of trucks, in any event, was a regular and

recurrent aspect of [Motor Express’] business.

Id. at 19.

Taking Plaintiffs’ allegations in the pleadings and record as true lead the court to DENY

RLI’s motion for judgment on the pleadings. Most of the elements of collateral estoppel were met,

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except for the first element regarding whether the issues are identical. Although Frederick Mut. Ins.

Co. v. Ahatov, 274 F. Supp. 3d 273 (E.D. Pa. 2017) closely resembles this case, this Court finds that

a subissue absent from Ahatov distinguishes the instant case. Plaintiff has provided plausible facts,

taken as true, that Marshall could be considered a “temporary employee” under the RLI Policy, so

that the Employer’s Liability Exclusion would not apply; that is all that is required to deny RLI’s

motion for judgment on the pleadings. This Court does not rule one way or the other on the issue

of whether Marshall actually meets the definition of “temporary employee” at this early stage of the

proceedings.

B. “Insureds” Under RLI Policy

RLI contends that Elite, JWK, Pamela Kerola, and Joseph Kerola (to some extent) are not

“Insureds” under RLI’s Policy. ECF Dkt. #13 at 8-9. However, the parties agree that the RLI Policy

explicitly states that Motor Express is a Named Insured. See ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 5, 56; #13 at 8-9; #18

at 15. In relevant part, the RLI Policy defines “Insureds” as follows:

SECTION II – WHO IS AN INSURED

1. If you are designated in the Declarations as:

a. An individual, you and your spouse are insureds, but only with respect to

the conduct of a business of which you are the sole owner.

b. A partnership or joint venture, you are an insured. Your members, your

partners, and their spouses are also insureds, but only with respect to the

conduct of your business.

c. A limited liability company, you are an insured. Your members are also

insureds, but only with respect to the conduct of your business. Your

managers are insureds, but only with respect to their duties as your managers.

d. An organization other than a partnership, joint venture or limited liability

company, you are an insured. Your “executive officers” and directors are

insureds, but only with respect to their duties as your officers or directors.

Your stockholders are also insureds, but only with respect to their liability as

stockholders.

. . .

3. Any organization you newly acquire or form, other than a partnership, joint

venture or limited liability company, and over which you maintain ownership or

majority interest, will qualify as a Named Insured if there is no other similar

insurance available to that organization. However:

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a. Coverage under this provision is afforded only until the 90th day after you

acquire or form the organization or the end of the policy period, whichever

is earlier;

b. Coverage A does not apply to “bodily injury” or “property damage” that

occurred before you acquired or formed the organization; . . .

ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 17-18. To note, the Declarations appear to refer exclusively to Motor Express, with

no mention of the Kerolas, Elite, JWK, or Joker LLC. See ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 5-7.

As previously noted, Ohio law applies to the instant insurance claim and interpretation of

the RLI Policy. Ohio law mandates that insurance policies are to be enforced in accordance with

their stated contract terms. Smith v. Erie Ins. Co., 148 Ohio St.3d 192, 197 (2016) (noting that “[a]n

insurance policy is a contract; in interpreting contracts, courts must give effect to the intent of the

parties, and that intent is presumed to be reflected in the plain and ordinary meaning of the contract

language.”) (internal citation omitted); Rhoades v. Equitable Life Assur. Soc. of U.S., 54 Ohio St.2d

45, 47 (1978). Courts may not re-write an insurance Policy “when the intent of the parties is evident,

i.e., if the language of the policy’s provisions is clear and unambiguous[.]” Hybud Equip. Corp. v.

Sphere Drake Ins. Co., Ltd., 64 Ohio St.3d 657, 665 (1992). The Policy must be read as a whole and

in a way that gives meaning to each term. Policy provisions must be construed in the context of the

entire Policy, with any isolated words or phrases interpreted in light of the rest of the contract.

Gomolka v. State Auto. Mut. Ins. Co., 70 Ohio St.2d 166, 172-73 (1982) (“The intention of the

parties must be derived instead from the instrument as a whole, and not from detached or isolated

parts thereof.”). Further, “[w]hen interpreting a contract, [the court] will presume that words are

used for a specific purpose and will avoid interpretations that render portions meaningless or

unnecessary.” Wohl v. Swinney, 118 Ohio St.3d 277, 280 (2008) (citations omitted).

“Where provisions of a contract of insurance are reasonably susceptible of more than one

interpretation, they will be construed strictly against the insurer and liberally in favor of the

insured.” Lane v. Grange Mut. Cos., 45 Ohio St.3d 63, 65 (1989) (citations omitted); see Blue Cross

& Blue Shield Mut. of Ohio v. Hrenko, 72 Ohio St.3d 120, 122 (1995) (“It is well-settled law in Ohio

that insurance policies should be construed liberally in favor of the insured.”); King v. Nationwide

Ins. Co., 35 Ohio St.3d 208, 211 (1988); Moorman v. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 4 Ohio St.3d 20,

17

22 (1983) (noting that, if there is any doubt, uncertainty, or ambiguity about the coverage, “this court

must adopt the construction most favorable to the insured which would allow recovery”). In

addition, “[t]he insurer, being the one who selects the language in the contract, must be specific in

its use; an exclusion from liability must be clear and exact in order to be given effect. Lane v.

Grange Mut. Cos., 45 Ohio St.3d 63, 65 (1989) (citing Am. Fin. Corp. v. Fireman’s Fund Ins. Co.,

15 Ohio St.2d 171, 173 (1968)); cf. Scott Fetzer Co. v. Zurich Am. Ins. Co., 769 Fed.Appx. 322, 329

(6th Cir. 2019) (“Under Ohio law, a party seeking to interpret a clause in an insurance Policy so as

to deny insurance coverage must show its interpretation of the contract is the only fair one.”)

(unpublished); Andersen v. Highland House Co., 93 Ohio St.3d 547, 550 (2001) (“[I]t will not

suffice for [the insurer] to demonstrate that its interpretation is more reasonable than the

Policyholder’s.”) (citation omitted).

Plaintiffs allege in the Complaint that “Plaintiff Joseph Kerola, Sr., is an insured under the

[RLI] Policy as an executive officer of Motor Express, the named insured.” ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 10 ¶38.

RLI concedes that “Mr. Kerola may be an ‘insured’ as an officer of Motor Express, but only with

respect to his duties as such.” ECF Dkt. #13 at 9. However, RLI insists that Mr. Kerola is not an

insured as an officer of Elite or JWK because those companies, RLI argues, are not insureds. Id.

Plaintiffs further allege in the Complaint that “Plaintiff Pamela Kerola is an insured under

the [RLI] Policy as the spouse of the sole member (Joseph Kerola, Sr.) of the limited-liability

company (Joker, LLC) that is the sole shareholder and owner of Motor Express, the named insured.”

ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 10 ¶39. Importantly and with respect to all the disputed “insureds,” Plaintiffs made

the following allegations in their Complaint:

40. RLI Insurance through its representative David Dunn specifically represented to

Plaintiffs on multiple occasions over the last twelve (12) years–both before the

applicable policies were selected and after they went into effect–that all of Plaintiffs’

companies were properly insured, which would have included Elite and JWK. David

Dunn made these representations at various meetings, including but not limited to

meetings on Jan. 19, 2010, February 4, 2010, February 28, 2010, February 9, 2011,

March 10, 2011, March 26, 2011, April 25, 2012, October 8, 2012, and May 28,

2014 and August 7, 2018.

41. Upon notice that JWK, Elite, and the Kerolas had not been specifically identified

as “additional insureds” on the [RLI] Policy, RLI Insurance added them as additional

insured to the then-current [RLI Policy] without charging any additional premium.

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42. Plaintiffs intended, and upon information and belief RLI Insurance intended, that

JWK, Elite, and the Kerolas be insureds under the [RLI] Policy.

ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 10 ¶¶40-42. In its Answer, RLI denied the above allegations, except it admitted

that RLI added JWK, Elite, and the Kerolas as additional insureds to a subsequent September 1,

2016 to September 1, 2017 CGL policy without charging an additional premium. ECF Dkt. #4 at 5

¶¶40-42.

RLI is correct that the face of the RLI Policy does not appear to include Pamela Kerola, Elite,

JWK, or Joseph Kerola in his capacity as an officer of Elite or JWK. Regarding Pamela Kerola,

Plaintiffs contend Pamela Kerola is an insured due to her status as a spouse of Joseph Kerola, who

in turn is the sole member of Joker LLC. Joker LLC is the sole shareholder and owner of Motor

Express, the named insured. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 10 ¶39; #18 at 15. However, Joker LLC is not

“designated in the Declarations,” making Section II(1)(c) inapplicable. Subsection (d) is also not

applicable because Joker LLC is a limited liability company, which is excluded from that particular

section. Even if either subsection (c) or (d) were applicable, they are unhelpful to Plaintiffs because

neither section adds, or even mentions, spouses as being additional insureds. ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 17-

18. To compare, the neighboring subsections (a) and (b) do contemplate the spouses as additional

insureds, but are also not applicable. Id. Subsection (a) concerns an individual who is “designated

in the Declarations,” and, as mentioned previously, the Declarations only appear to specifically

reference Motor Express. Subsection (b) concerns a partnership or joint venture, which is

inapplicable to Joker LLC, Motor Express, and also even an individual. ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 5-7, 17-18.

It also appears that Elite, JWK, and Joseph Kerola in his capacity as an officer of Elite and

JWK are also not covered on the face of the agreement. This is again because neither of these

affiliate organizations is “designated in the Declarations” to qualify under Section II(1) of the RLI

Policy. See ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 17-18. Further, Section II(3) is relevant to this inquiry as well because

Elite and JWK are corporate organizations. See ECF Dkt. #4-1 at 18. However, RLI correctly points

out that Plaintiffs did not allege in the Complaint that Elite or JWK were newly acquired or formed

corporations over which Motor Express maintains ownership or majority interest, nor were they

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alleged to have been acquired or formed in the 90 days pre-dating the subject accident. ECF Dkt.

#13 at 8.

Even Plaintiffs’ own Complaint appears somewhat contradictory regarding insured status,

especially with regard to Pamela Kerola. First, Plaintiffs allege Pamela Kerola is an insured under

the RLI Policy. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 10 ¶39. Subsequently, Plaintiffs state that JWK, Elite, and both

Pamela and Joseph Kerola were not specifically identified as “additional insureds,” but were

intended to be insureds. Id. at 10 ¶¶40-42. Instead of arguing how the disputed parties qualify under

the plain language of the agreement, Plaintiffs, in their merits brief, contend that these parties are

all insured under the RLI Policy because that it was what Plaintiffs intended and what they allege

RLI represented. ECF Dkt. #18 at 27. Thus, the plain language of the RLI Policy is not ambiguous

and would favor RLI’s interpretation that the disputed parties are not covered. However, the intent

of the parties is in dispute.

The Court also notes that neither party mentioned a merger clause or its effect, if any. A

merger clause appears to be present in the policy, but its language allows for changes in the terms

of the policy with RLI’s consent, but does not clearly specify whether the consent need be in writing

or not. See ECF Dkt. #4-2 at 45 (Section B, entitled “Changes”). Although there is no briefing on

this issue, this language does not appear on its face to rule out the possibility of Plaintiffs’ contention

that the policy was amended or so intended to include additional insureds, which is one of the main

issues in the instant motion.

Plaintiffs propose that reformation would be a proper remedy due to a mutual or unilateral

mistake. ECF Dkt. #18 at 27 (citing Ohio Farmers Ins. Co. v. Clinton Cty. Nat. Bank & Tr. Co., 220

N.E.2d 381, 385-86 (Com. Pl. 1964)); see also Shear v. W. Am. Ins. Co., 11 Ohio St. 3d 162, 164,

464 N.E.2d 545, 547 (Ohio 1984) (“[T]o grant reformation of [insurance] policy so as to include

Shear as a named or designated insured on the grounds of mutual mistake, Shear had the burden of

showing by clear and convincing evidence that a mutual mistake was made.”). Plaintiffs further

acknowledge that although they did not assert a specific claim for reformation in their original

Complaint, they alleged facts supporting such a claim and intend to seek discovery on this issue. Id.

at 28. Accordingly, Plaintiffs requested to formally amend their Complaint to set forth a reformation

20

claim if the Court were to determine it necessary despite the alleged facts supporting such a claim.

Id. Alternatively, Plaintiffs move the Court to convert RLI’s motion into one for summary judgment

to allow time for discovery. Id. at 28-30.

A federal court “should freely give leave to amend when justice so requires.” Fed. R. Civ.

P. 15(a)(2); see Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962) (“If the underlying facts or circumstances

relied upon by a plaintiff may be a proper subject of relief, he ought to be afforded an opportunity

to test his claim on the merits. In the absence of any apparent or declared reason—such as undue

delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, repeated failure to cure deficiencies

by amendments previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing party by virtue of allowance

of the amendment, futility of amendment, etc.—the leave sought should, as the rules require, be

‘freely given.’”). Without any sign of bad faith or prejudice at this early stage of the proceedings and

because Plaintiffs’ alleged sufficient facts to support a reformation claim to put RLI on notice, the

Court GRANTS Plaintiffs’ motion to amend and DENIES their alternative request to convert the

instant motion into one for summary judgment.

C. Duty to Defend and Indemnify

Finally, RLI asserts that it does not have a duty to defend. ECF Dkt. #13 at 15-16. In the

Underlying Lawsuit, RLI agreed to defend Plaintiffs under a reservation of rights, but maintained

that there is no coverage for any judgment or settlement. ECF Dkt. #1-1 at 11 ¶¶50-51; #13 at 2; #18

at 15. At this point, the duty to defend issue is MOOT because the Underlying Lawsuit has been

settled. ECF Dkt. #23. The ultimate issue, whether RLI must indemnify Plaintiffs, is premature and

inappropriate for a motion for a judgment on the pleadings, but may be appropriate by RLI after

discovery.

IV. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, the Court DENIES RLI’s motion for judgment on the pleadings

(ECF Dkt. #13), GRANTS Plaintiffs’ motion to amend to add a reformation claim, and DENIES

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Plaintiffs’ alternative request to convert the instant motion into one for summary judgment (ECF

Dkt. #18).

IT IS SO ORDERED.

DATE: December 27, 2019 /s/ George J. Limbert

GEORGE J. LIMBERT

UNITED STATES MAGISTRATE JUDGE

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