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Bits & Pieces

Caldwell Freight Lines v. Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company

CALDWELL FREIGHT LINES, INC.

v.

LUMBERMENS MUTUAL CASUALTY COMPANY, INC.

 

Feb. 1, 2007.

 

Background: Insured sought reimbursement from excess liability insurer based on theory that primary insurer’s insolvency required excess insurer to drop down and provide primary coverage for automobile accident. The Circuit Court, Pearl River County, Michael R. Eubanks, J., entered summary judgment in favor of insurer. Insured appealed.

 

 

Holdings: The Supreme Court, Dickinson, J., held that:

 

(1) the excess policy did not provide drop-down coverage, and

 

(2) “other Insurance” provision of excess policy did not make insurer liable for all amounts in excess of Insurance Guaranty Association’s (IGA) payment.

 

 

 

Affirmed.

 

 

 

DICKINSON, Justice, for the Court.

1. Jared M. Harvey filed suit against Caldwell Freight Lines (“Caldwell”) to recover damages he claims resulted from an accident involving one of Caldwell’s trucks. Caldwell’s primary liability insurer, Legion Insurance Company (“Legion”), became insolvent, causing Caldwell to turn to its Commercial Catastrophe Liability Policy (“Catastrophe Policy”) written by Lumbermens Mutual Casualty Company (“LMCC”) to fill the gap in coverage caused by Legion’s insolvency. The question presented is whether LMCC’s policy covers a gap in coverage resulting from a primary insurer’s insolvency.

 

 

BACKGROUND FACTS AND PROCEEDINGS

 

2. On July 8, 2000, Harvey was involved in an automobile accident with William S. Campbell, who was driving a Freightliner truck owned by Caldwell. Harvey filed a complaint against various defendants  to recover damages and expenses he incurred as a result of the accident. Caldwell was insured by Legion through a commercial general liability policy with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate. In addition to its commercial general liability policy with Legion, Caldwell was covered by a Catastrophe Policy issued by LMCC.

 

3. When the North Carolina Department of Insurance placed Legion into insolvency, the North Carolina Insurance Guaranty Association (“NCIGA”) became obligated to pay up to $300,000 on behalf of Caldwell, should Caldwell be found liable to Harvey.

 

4. During the course of the original action, Harvey entered into a settlement agreement with several defendants whereby NCIGA paid $300,000 and Caldwell paid $200,000. Apparently believing that Harvey’s damages totaled $1,200,000, LMCC agreed to pay the $200,000 in damages which exceeded the $1,000,000 Legion policy limit. Arguing that LMCC’s policy provided coverage for losses exceeding the $300,000 paid by NCIGA, Caldwell demanded LMCC reimburse it for the $200,000 it paid to Harvey.

 

5. This demand for “gap” coverage was the subject of a Third-Party Complaint filed by Caldwell against Kemper Casualty Insurance Company  and its subsidiary, LMCC. Caldwell alleged the Catastrophe Policy required LMCC to provide primary coverage under certain circumstances, including the primary insurer’s insolvency. Caldwell also claimed LMCC had a duty to defend it in the litigation filed by Harvey.

 

6. LMCC filed a motion for summary judgment alleging the Catastrophe Policy covered only the damages exceeding the primary insurer’s policy limits, and therefore, LMCC could not be liable for the gap in coverage caused by Legion’s insolvency. Caldwell filed its own motion for summary judgment arguing the Catastrophe Policy required LMCC to “drop down” and fill the gap caused by Legion’s insolvency.

 

7. The trial court granted LMCC’s motion for summary judgment and denied Caldwell’s. Final judgment was rendered in favor of LMCC on January 3, 2006. In his order, Judge Eubanks, applying North Carolina law, found that the language of the Catastrophe Policy at issue unambiguously precluded “drop down” coverage to Caldwell, so LMCC could not be required to reimburse Caldwell for the $200,000 paid in settlement to Harvey.

 

8. Caldwell claims as its only issue on appeal that the circuit court erred in finding that LMCC’s policy did not require “drop down” coverage. Thus, Caldwell argues, the trial court erred in granting LMCC’s motion for summary judgment and denying Caldwell’s.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

I.

 

 

9. The standard which guides us in reviewing a summary judgment is settled and clear. “This Court applies a de novo standard of review to the trial court’s grant of summary judgment.” Moss v. Batesville Casket Co., 935 So.2d 393, 398 (Miss.2006). Our rules of civil procedure require the trial court to grant summary judgment where “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 and that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law.” Miss. R. Civ. P. 56(c).

 

10. The movant bears the burden of demonstrating that no genuine issues of material fact exist for presentation to the trier of fact. This is a difficult burden, given that the non-moving party must be given the benefit of every reasonable doubt. Moss, 935 So.2d at 398. “ ‘Issues of fact … are present where one party swears to one version of the matter in issue and another says the opposite.’ ” Id. (quoting Tucker v. Hinds County, 558 So.2d 869, 872 (Miss.1990)).

 

11. In the instant case, both parties agree that no genuine issues of material fact exist and, therefore, the coverage dispute should be decided as a matter of law. Also, this Court has held that “[t]he interpretation of insurance policy language is a question of law.” Lewis v. Allstate Ins. Co., 730 So.2d 65, 68 (Miss.1998). Therefore, because there are no genuine issues of material fact, we now proceed to determine whether the trial court erred in granting LMCC’s Motion for Summary Judgment and denying Caldwell’s Cross-Motion for Summary Judgment.

 

 

II.

 

12. The issues to be resolved in addressing the question presented are (1) whether the LMCC Catastrophe Policy provides “drop down” coverage; (2) whether Caldwell’s reasonable expectation entitles it to coverage; and (3) whether LMCC owed a duty to defend Caldwell. In deciding these issues, we apply North Carolina law which, as applied to this case, is not materially different from our own.

 

 

1. Whether the LMCC Catastrophe Policy provides “drop down” coverage to Caldwell to fill the gap in coverage caused by Legion’s insolvency.

 

13. In characterizing the relative positions of the parties, the trial court aptly stated, “we are asked to declare the winner in a game of grammatical tug-of-war between an excess insurer and an insured over whether an excess insurance policy ‘drops down’ in place of a policy issued by a now-insolvent primary insurer.” Caldwell argues that the Catastrophe Policy is ambiguous and should be construed against the drafter and in favor of the insured. LMCC argues that the Catastrophe Policy unambiguously precludes “drop down” coverage.

 

14. Under North Carolina law, when policy language is unambiguous, there is a “ ‘duty to construe and enforce insurance policies as written, without rewriting the contract or disregarding the express language used.’ ” Eatman Leasing, Inc. v. Empire Fire & Marine Ins. Co., 145 N.C.App. 278, 281, 550 S.E.2d 271, 273 (2001) (quoting Fidelity Bankers Life Ins. Co. v. Dortch, 318 N.C. 378, 380, 348 S.E.2d 794, 796 (1986)). However, judicial construction is necessary “ ‘[w]here the language used in the policy is ambiguous and reasonably susceptible to more than one interpretation.’ ”  Eatman Leasing, 550 S.E.2d at 273 (quoting Allstate Ins. Co. v. Runyon Chatterton, 135 N.C.App. 92, 94, 518 S.E.2d 814, 816 (1999)). Any ambiguity in an insurance policy as to whether certain provisions impose liability should be resolved in favor of the insured. Williams v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 269 N.C. 235, 238, 152 S.E.2d 102, 105 (1967). Furthermore, “exclusions from liability are not favored, and are to be strictly construed against the insurer.” Eatman, 145 N.C.App. at 281, 550 S.E.2d at 273. We will discuss and analyze the disputed provisions separately.

 

 

A. Whether the term “sums actually payable” refers to the policy limit of $1,000,000 under Legion’s policy.

 

15. The parties dispute whether the term “sums actually payable” refers to the limit of $1,000,000 under Legion’s policy or to the actual amount Legion was able to pay, which was zero due to insolvency. The provision states:

[LMCC] will pay only the amount in excess of the sums actually payable under the terms of the ‘underlying insurance.’ No other obligation or liability to pay sums or perform acts or services is covered unless explicitly provided for under Supplementary Payments. In the event the duty of the underlying insurer to defend the insured against a ‘suit’ ceases solely because the applicable limit of insurance is used up in the payment of judgments, then we shall assume the duty for such defense.

 

(Emphasis added).

 

16. Caldwell argues that the term “sums actually payable” is ambiguous and should be liberally construed in its favor. On the other hand, LMCC argues that the phrase “sums actually payable” should be read in the context of the entire policy, and when doing so, the phrase unambiguously provides coverage only in excess of the primary insurer’s coverage. The trial court agreed with LMCC, stating, “it follows that in reading the entire policy the Court finds that the meaning of [the term ‘sums actually payable’] is clearly qualified at Section V, part 9, ‘Underlying Insurance’ to preclude any form of ‘drop down’ coverage from the insurance policy issued by [LMCC].” Section V, part 9 of the policy, dealing with “Commercial Catastrophe Liability Conditions” and “Underlying Insurance” states that “[i]n the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or financial impairment of the insurance company that issued the ‘underlying insurance,’ [LMCC] shall be liable under Coverage A only to the extent we would otherwise have been liable.” (Emphasis added).

 

17. In construing the terms of an insurance policy, the North Carolina Supreme Court has stated “[w]here the immediate context in which words are used is not clearly indicative of the meaning intended, resort may be had to other portions of the policy and all clauses of it are to be construed, if possible, so as to bring them into harmony.” Wachovia Bank & Trust Co. v. Westchester Fire Ins. Co., 276 N.C. 348, 355, 172 S.E.2d 518, 522 (1970). Furthermore, “[e]ach word is deemed to have been put into the policy for a purpose and will be given effect, if that can be done by any reasonable construction in accordance with the foregoing principles.” Id.

 

18. The North Carolina Court of Appeals has addressed similar disputes regarding whether an excess insurer had an obligation to provide “drop down” coverage when the primary insurer became insolvent. In Newton v. U.S. Fire Ins. Co., 98 N.C.App. 619, 623, 391 S.E.2d 837, 838-39 (1990), the North Carolina Court of Appeals examined a trial court’s finding that an excess insurer’s umbrella policy “dropped down” to primary coverage. Caldwell contends that Newton is not applicable because it is factually distinguishable and did not attempt to define the term “sums actually payable.” However, we have found no case that deals with the term “sums actually payable,” and therefore, we rely on cases which analyze the use of similar terms in determining whether an excess insurer is required to “drop down” when the primary insurer becomes insolvent.

 

19. Although the facts of Newton differ slightly, the North Carolina court’s analysis is clearly applicable to this case. There, the court found that the excess insurer was not obligated to cover any claim unless the claim was greater than the $500,000 policy limit of the primary insurer, regardless of whether or not that $500,000 was “collectible.” Id. at 840. Although there was no gap in coverage, the Newton court noted “the possibility of a ‘gap’ in coverage that may occur when a primary carrier becomes insolvent since the statutory cap on NCIGA’s liability here is $300,000.” Id. at 839. Accordingly, the court found that U.S. Fire was entitled to summary judgment. Id. at 840.

 

20. Four years later, the North Carolina Court of Appeals faced a similar situation in North Carolina Ins. Guar. Ass’n v. Century Indem. Co., 115 N.C.App. 175, 444 S.E.2d 464 (1994). A dispute arose between NCIGA and Century Indemnity Co. (“Century”) as to whether Century’s commercial umbrella policy  was required to “drop down” and become the primary liability insurance as a result of the primary insurer’s insolvency. Id. at 467. NCIGA argued that the phrase “amount recoverable” meant “that amount actually recoverable and collectible from the primary insurer…. Because [the primary insurer was] now insolvent, no amount [was] recoverable from the primary insurer.” Id. at 469. Therefore, NCIGA argued, Century was required to “drop down” and provide primary coverage. Id.

 

21. The court reasoned that the “amount recoverable” phrase, read in connection with the “loss payable” condition, made it clear that “a loss arising from an occurrence is not payable by … Century unless the limit of the underlying insurance is exhausted by payment, coming either from the insured or from the insured’s underlying carrier.” Id. at 470. In addition to finding the language of the policy unambiguously to preclude “drop down” coverage, the court stated that “the fundamental purpose of excess insurance is to protect the insured against excess liability claims, not to insure against the underlying insurer’s insolvency.” Id.

 

22. Though there are some differences in the language of the various insurance contracts in Newton and Century, this Court finds the reasoning in both cases applicable to this case. We find that the disputed term “sums actually payable” is unambiguous, particularly when read in connection with the “Underlying Insurance” provision. Furthermore, North Carolina law provides that where words are not clear in their immediate context, other clauses may be used to bring the policy into harmony. Wachovia Bank, 172 S.E.2d at 522.

 

23. An equally convincing argument is found in looking at the entire phrase in the contract provision of the Catastrophe Policy, where LMCC contracted to pay only the amount in excess of the “sums actually payable under the terms ” of the Legion policy. (Emphasis added). There is only one amount “payable under the terms” of the Legion policy, and that is the policy limit of $1,000,000. LMCC points out that “Caldwell improperly divorces the phrase ‘sums actually payable’ from the remainder of the sentence.” LMCC correctly notes that the sentence, taken as a whole, “refers to what amount is covered pursuant to the Legion policy, not what Legion is capable of paying.” Caldwell, on the other hand, argues that LMCC should pay the amount in excess of what was actually paid, rather than the amount payable under the terms of the policy. This interpretation would require rewriting the terms of the insurance contract.

 

24. Furthermore, the clause in Section V, part 9 of the policy clearly defines LMCC’s obligation should the underlying insurer become insolvent. It provides that, in the event of insolvency, LMCC will be liable “only to the extent we would otherwise have been liable.” Taken together, the policy terms evidence that the Catastrophe Policy was not required to “drop down” and provide primary coverage due to Legion’s insolvency. Therefore, we conclude that the Catastrophe Policy, by its plain language, covered only losses in excess of $1,000,000.

 

 

B. Whether LMCC’s failure to use a “loss payable” clause causes the Catastrophe Policy to “drop down” and fill the gap caused by Legion’s insolvency.

 

25. Caldwell alleges that LMCC’s failure to use a “loss payable” clause, such as the one used in Century,0 evidences that LMCC’s coverage should “drop down” and fill the gap caused by Legion’s insolvency. Other than its position that the “Underlying Insurance” provision adequately conveys that the Catastrophe Policy precludes “drop down” coverage, LMCC did not specifically respond to this argument. Caldwell claims that, pursuant to North Carolina Rule of Appellate Procedure 28(a), LMCC’s failure to respond requires that this Court accept its position.

 

[26. We first point out that Rule 28(a) is a procedural rule which has no application in this case. When we are required to apply the law of another state, we apply its substantive law, but we continue to rely on our own procedural rules. Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Goodwin, 920 So.2d 427, 433 (Miss.2006).

 

27. LMCC clearly argues that the contract, read as a whole (including its “Underlying Insurance” provision), is dispositive of Caldwell’s claim. Additionally, Caldwell cites no authority which mandates that a “loss payable” clause must be included in an excess insurer’s policy in order to preclude “drop down” coverage. Furthermore, the “Underlying Insurance” provision in the Catastrophe Policy adequately addresses LMCC’s obligations in the event the underlying insurer becomes insolvent. The provision states that “[i]n the event of bankruptcy, insolvency or financial impairment of the insurance company that issued the ‘underlying insurance,’ [LMCC] shall be liable under Coverage A only to the extent we would otherwise have been liable.” While Caldwell argues that the phrase, “to the extent we would otherwise have been liable,” is ambiguous, we disagree, and find Caldwell’s argument to be without merit.

 

28. Under Coverage A, LMCC is liable for the “amount in excess of the sums actually payable under the terms of the ‘underlying insurance.’ ” As determined previously in Part 1A, supra, that amount is the $1,000,000 policy limit, which is clearly provided under the terms of the policy. Therefore, the “Underlying Insurance” provision clearly and unambiguously provides that, in the event of insolvency of the underlying insurer, LMCC is liable only for losses exceeding $1,000,000.

 

29. In this case, LMCC paid $200,000, which was the portion of the loss that exceeded $1,000,000. Therefore, this Court finds that LMCC paid the amount it contracted to pay and, consequently, is not liable for any gap in coverage caused by Legion’s insolvency. For these reasons, we find that not only does the lack of a “loss payable” clause not evidence that the Catastrophe Policy must “drop down,” but the “Underlying Insurance” provision clearly precludes such drop down coverage under the terms of the policy.

 

 

C. Whether the “Other Insurance” clause is applicable to the NCIGA coverage.

 

30. The LMCC Catastrophe Policy includes an “Other Insurance” provision which states:

If other valid and collectible insurance is available to the insured for loss covered hereunder, this Coverage Part will be excess of such other insurance. This condition does not apply to insurance purchased specifically to be either quota share with this insurance or excess of this insurance.

 

Caldwell creatively argues that the NCIGA policy qualified as “other insurance,” and therefore, the Catastrophe Policy “will be excess of such other insurance.” Thus, Caldwell argues LMCC should reimburse it for the $200,000 it paid in settlement to Harvey.

 

31. Conversely, LMCC argues that it would be preposterous to interpret its “Other Insurance” clause as providing “drop down” coverage. LMCC points out that nearly all excess liability policies contain such a clause, which does not void or abrogate the effect of the policy’s other provisions.

 

32. Interpreting the “Other Insurance” clause as implying a duty to provide “drop down” coverage would not only contradict the specific policy provisions, but it would also contradict North Carolina law, which states that “drop down” coverage will not be found unless the policy expressly provides for such coverage. Century, 444 S.E.2d at 470. Furthermore, the Century court noted that “excess insurance is to protect the insured against excess liability claims, not to insure against the underlying insurer’s insolvency.” Id.

 

¶  33. For the reasons stated, this Court finds that the “Other Insurance” provision does not imply that LMCC is liable for all amounts which exceed the amount paid by NCIGA. The LMCC policy does not expressly provide for “drop down” coverage, but merely states that the Catastrophe Policy is to be in excess of any other insurance available to the insured.

 

 

D. Whether Coverage B causes the Catastrophe Policy to “drop down,” by contemplating primary protection in certain circumstances.

 

34. Caldwell argues, without citation of any authority for the proposition, that the Catastrophe Policy “is more like an umbrella policy, which can certainly ‘drop down’ ” because it contemplates excess protection in Coverage A and primary protection in Coverage B. We find this argument unpersuasive for two reasons.

 

35. First, Coverage B of the Catastrophe Policy applies when underlying insurance does not apply, that is, where “there is no other insurance in any way applicable.” Further, according to the policy, the “retained limit” means the greater of:

a. The amount stated in the Declarations as Retained Limit; or

b. The amount payable as damages under any other valid and collectible insurance purchased specifically in excess of this insurance.

 

Thus, the provisions of Coverage B are clear and unambiguous. We find that Coverage B provides that where neither the terms and conditions of the Catastrophe Policy or any other policy apply, then Coverage B of the Catastrophe Policy may apply. There is no dispute that Legion was the primary insurer and its policy covered the instant loss. Therefore, Coverage B is neither applicable nor does it require LMCC to “drop down” and provide primary coverage due to Legion’s insolvency. Thus, whether the Catastrophe Policy is characterized as an excess policy or an umbrella policy, its interpretation is controlled by contract law, and the result remains the same.

 

36. Second, as noted previously, the policies in Newton and Century were both umbrella policies, and in each case, North Carolina law provided that the policies did not “drop down.” Therefore, for both of these reasons, this argument has no merit.

 

 

2. Whether Caldwell’s expectation that the LMCC Catastrophe Policy would fill any gaps in coverage entitles it to obtain “drop down” coverage.

 

37. Caldwell argues that it “had a reasonable expectation when it obtained approximately $20,000,000 of insurance coverage that there would be no gaps in that coverage and that any policy such as [LMCC] would drop down to fill in any gaps.” Caldwell correctly states that when an insurance policy is ambiguous, the law requires the intention of the parties to be determined based on what a reasonable person placed in the insured’s position would have understood the terms to mean. Therefore, Caldwell argues, because it understood the policy to provide “drop down” coverage, the policy should be interpreted based on what it (the insured) understood the terms of the policy to mean.

 

38. However, the critical requirement to trigger the “reasonable person expectations” argument is ambiguity. Where the contract language is clear, North Carolina law follows the majority of jurisdictions (including Mississippi) in applying the objective theory of contracts. See Higgins v. Higgins, 321 N.C. 482, 486, 364 S.E.2d 426, 429 (1988). Thus, North Carolina courts enforce the terms of a contract pursuant to objective evidence, such as the language of the contract, rather than the subjective thoughts and expectations of the parties, which are irrelevant, absent an ambiguous term capable of more than one reasonable interpretation. Caldwell’s subjective expectations and beliefs concerning “drop down” coverage are irrelevant in the face of the clear contract language which contradicts those expectations.

 

39. As stated previously, the terms of the Catastrophe Policy unambiguously preclude “drop down” coverage. The mere fact that Caldwell argues that the terms of the policy preclude “drop down” coverage does not cause the policy to be ambiguous causing it to be interpreted in its favor. See Wachovia Bank, 172 S.E.2d at 522 (“[A]mbiguity in the terms of an insurance policy is not established by the mere fact that the plaintiff makes a claim based upon a construction of its language which the company asserts is not its meaning.”).

 

40. Furthermore, Caldwell argues that the $131,000 premium it paid to LMCC in exchange for the excess policy was a high premium, unlike the low premiums typically charged by excess insurers. Therefore, Caldwell argues, because it paid such a high premium in exchange for coverage, it is now entitled to receive “drop down” coverage. In support of this argument, Caldwell points to the Affidavit of Caldwell’s President, Dave Brenner, who attested that LMCC did not set its premium until it was apprised of the identity of the underlying insurer. Caldwell argues that in doing so, LMCC was determining the risk to which it would be exposed.

 

41. LMCC explains that setting a premium, in part, based on the identity of the underlying insurer does not indicate LMCC intended its policy to “drop down” and cover any gaps caused by the underlying insurer’s insolvency. LMCC points out that there are “[n]umerous reasons for wanting to know the identity of the underlying insurer. Most significantly, Coverage B of the LMCC Policy applies when ‘underlying insurance’ does not apply.” Therefore, LMCC argues, it had a vested interest in knowing the identity of the underlying insurer because inapplicable underlying insurance would increase LMCC’s risk under Coverage B.

 

42. Caldwell also argues that because it paid a high premium, LMCC assumed the risk of insolvency of the primary insurer. The premium charged in LMCC’s policy was $131,000 for $2,000,000 of excess coverage. Although this premium may, at first blush, appear high, we note that the policy covered a fleet of trucks for a trucking company. On the other hand, Caldwell paid a premium of $708,525 for the primary policy with limits of $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 in the aggregate. Both the Legion policy and the LMCC Catastrophe Policy had an effective period from January 1, 2000 to July 1, 2001. Therefore, in accordance with the foregoing reasoning, we find these arguments have no merit.

 

 

3. Whether LMCC owes a duty to defend Caldwell.

 

43. Caldwell alleges that LMCC has a duty to defend it in the litigation because in “dropping down,” LMCC “assumes the primary insurer’s obligations, including defense.” LMCC points out that NCIGA paid for Caldwell’s defense, and “there is no evidence that Caldwell has incurred any defense costs that have not been paid by insurance or NCIGA.” Therefore, LMCC argues, Caldwell’s argument is moot because there is no controversy regarding the payment of defense costs. Furthermore, LMCC argues that in the event defense costs are an issue, LMCC has no duty to defend under the terms of the Catastrophe Policy.

 

44. Looking to the language of the policy, Section I, Coverage A of the Catastrophe Policy clearly states that “[i]n the event the duty of the underlying insurer to defend the insured against a ‘suit’ ceases solely because the applicable limit of insurance is used up in the payment of judgments, then we shall assume the duty for such defense.” (Emphasis added). This language is unambiguous, and the North Carolina Supreme Court has stated that absent ambiguity, “the court must enforce the contract as the parties have made it and may not, under the guise of interpreting an ambiguous provision, remake the contract and impose liability upon the company which it did not assume and for which the policyholder did not pay.” Wachovia Bank, 172 S.E.2d at 522.

 

 

45. The language in the Catastrophe Policy clearly states that LMCC has a duty to defend only when the applicable limit of insurance is used up in the payment of judgments, which did not happen here. The policy does not provide that LMCC will defend if the underlying insurer becomes insolvent, but instead specifically provides that LMCC will only assume the duty to defend when the applicable limit of insurance is “used up” in the payment of judgments.

 

46. We find that LMCC’s duty to defend Caldwell was not triggered according to the plain and unambiguous language of the Catastrophe Policy. Furthermore, as pointed out by LMCC, the lawsuit has concluded, and there is no evidence in the record that Caldwell has incurred any defense costs that have not been paid.1 In addition, a finding that LMCC has a duty to defend Caldwell assumes that the Catastrophe Policy “drops down” to provide primary coverage in Legion’s place. Having already determined that the Catastrophe Policy does not “drop down,” it reasonably follows that LMCC does not owe Caldwell a duty to defend.

 

 

CONCLUSION

 

47. While it is unfortunate that Legion is insolvent and unable to cover Caldwell’s loss as a result of the settlement with Harvey, this does not justify holding LMCC liable for an obligation it never contracted to assume. For the reasons stated herein, we affirm the Pearl River County Circuit Court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of LMCC and its denial of Caldwell’s cross-motion for summary judgment.

 

48. AFFIRMED.

 

SMITH, C.J., WALLER AND COBB, P.JJ., EASLEY, CARLSON AND RANDOLPH, JJ., CONCUR. DIAZ, J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY. GRAVES, J., DISSENTS WITHOUT SEPARATE WRITTEN OPINION.

 

The defendants named in the complaint are Campbell, Caldwell, and Legion.

 

Kemper Casualty Insurance Company was dismissed without prejudice on August 25, 2005, per an Agreed Order of Dismissal.

 

See discussion infra regarding the conflict of laws issue.

 

The parties agree that North Carolina law applies; therefore, we find it unnecessary to address this choice of law issue further.

 

Although the parties cite authority from numerous other jurisdictions, we find the North Carolina cases to be dispositive of the issues in this case.

 

The U.S. Fire policy provided that the company would pay on behalf of the insured the ultimate net loss in excess of the retained limit, with the “retained limit” defined as the “total of the applicable limits of the underlying policies listed in the schedule and the applicable limits of any other insurance collectible by the insured.” Newton, 391 S.E.2d at 839 (emphasis added).

 

In Newton, the court was faced with determining the meaning of the word “collectible” as used in the definition of “retained limit.” 391 S.E.2d at 839. Furthermore, there was no gap in coverage because NCIGA’s liability, per statute, was $300,000 and the injured plaintiff’s claims amounted to $185,000. Id.

 

Century’s policy provided that it would be

liable for the ultimate net loss the excess of either

(a) the amount recoverable under the underlying insurances as set out in Item 7 of the Declarations, or

(b) the amount of the retained limit state in Item 4 of the Declarations in respect of each occurrence not covered by said underlying insurances….

In the event of reduction or exhaustion of the aggregate limits of liability under said underlying insurances by reason of payment of claims in respect of occurrences occurring during the period of this policy, this policy, subject to all the terms, conditions and definitions hereof, shall

(1) in the event of reduction pay the excess of the reduced underlying limit;

(2) in the event of exhaustion continue in force as underlying insurance.

Century, 444 S.E.2d at 468 (emphasis added).

 

Century’s policy included a “loss payable” clause which provided that “[l]iability under this policy … shall not attach unless and until the Insured … shall have paid the amount of the underlying limits on account of such occurrence.” Id. at 469.

 

0. See the “loss payable” clause language, supra, footnote 7.

 

1. Caldwell writes in its brief that “[w]ithout NCIGA, Caldwell would apparently have to foot the bill for its own defense….” This indicates that NCIGA defended Caldwell, and Caldwell did not incur any defense costs.

Miss.,2007.

Bridges v. Enterprise Products Company

 

OPINION AND ORDER

WILLIAM H. BARBOUR, JR., United States District Judge.

This cause is before the Court on several motions of the parties seeking to strike or limit expert opinions/testimony and other evidence in this case. The Court has considered the Motions, Responses, Rebuttals, attachments to each, as well as supporting and opposing authorities and finds:

 

The Motion of Defendants to Strike Late-Filed, Inadmissible, Improperly [sic] and Other Matter (“Motion to Strike Other Matters”), should be granted in part and denied in part.

 

 

Plaintiff did not file a Response to this Motion.

 

The Motion of Defendants to Strike Plaintiffs’ Designation of Dane Maxwell as Plaintiffs’ Expert and to Exclude his Specific Opinions on, Inter Alia, Defendant Toulmon’s Truthfulness, “Fatigue” and Causation by Fatigue as Unfounded, on his Reconstruction of the Accident, on Operational Cause and Hours-of-Service and Record Keeping as Superfluous and not Helpful to the Trier of Fact (“Motion to Strike Maxwell”) should be granted to the extent Defendants seek to exclude Maxwell’s opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation.

 

The Motion of Defendants to Strike Plaintiffs’ Designation of Tim Corbitt as Plaintiffs’ Expert and to Exclude his Specific Opinions on, Inter Alia, Defendant Toulmon’s Truthfulness, “Fatigue” and Causation by Fatigue as Unfounded, his Opinions on Operational Cause and Location of the Collision as Superfluous and not Helpful to the Trier of Fact (“Motion to Strike Corbitt”) should be granted to the extent it seeks to exclude Corbitt’s testimony/opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation.

 

Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Brett Alexander (“Motion to Strike Alexander”) is not well taken and should be denied without prejudice.

 

Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Rodney Ellis (“Motion to Strike Ellis”) is denied.

 

Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Whitney G. Morgan (“Motion to Strike Morgan”) should be granted to the extent it seeks to exclude Whitney’s testimony/opinions regarding fatigue.

 

Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Dr. William D. Frazier (“Motion to Strike Frazier”) should be denied as moot.

 

 

I. Factual Background and Procedural History

 

The factual background and procedural history of this case are recited in the February 5, 2007, Opinion and Order of the Court by which the motion of Defendants for partial summary judgment on the issue of liability was denied, the motion of Defendants for partial summary judgment on the issue of recoverability of actual damages was granted in part and denied in part, and the motion of Defendants on the issue of punitive damages was denied without prejudice. See Docket No. 180.

 

 

II. Standard for Admission of Expert Testimony

 

The admissibility of expert testimony is governed by Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence, which provides:

If scientific, technical, or other specialized knowledge will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue, a witness qualified as an expert by knowledge, skill, experience, training, or education, may testify thereto in the form of an opinion or otherwise, if (1) the testimony is based upon sufficient facts or data, (2) the testimony is the product of reliable principles and methods, and (3) the witness has applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case.

 

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has held that when deciding whether expert testimony is admissible, “the court must ensure the expert uses reliable methods to reach his opinions; and those opinions must be relevant to the facts of the case.” Guy v. Crown Equip. Corp., 394 F.3d 320, 325 (5th Cir.2004) (citing Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 593-94 (1993)). To determine whether proposed expert testimony is reliable, the Court considers the following, non-exclusive, list of factors: “whether the proposed evidence or theory ‘can be (and has been) tested’; whether it ‘has been subjected to peer review and publication’; whether it has been evaluated in the light of ‘potential rate[s] of error’; and whether the theory has been accepted in the ‘relevant scientific community’.” Id. (citing Daubert, 509 U.S. at 593-94). The analysis of whether proposed expert testimony is reliable “must remain flexible: not every Daubert factor will be applicable in every situation; and a court has discretion to consider other factors it deems relevant.” Id. (citations omitted).

 

 

III. Legal Analysis

 

A. Dane Maxwell

 

 

Defendants seek to exclude certain testimony/opinions of Dane Maxwell (“Maxwell”), who has apparently been designated in the area of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (“FMCSR”). In his First Preliminary Report, Maxwell offered the following opinions: (1) Defendant Raymond Toulmon (“Toulmon”) repeatedly falsified his driving log, (2) Toulmon’s employer, Enterprise Products Company, Inc. (“Enterprise”) was aware of these falsifications but failed to take corrective action, (3) Toulmon acted with gross negligence by violating the eleven and fourteen hour driving limits prescribed by the FMCSRs, (4) Enterprise was grossly negligent by allowing Toulmon to falsify his driving log and violate the FMCSRs, (5) Toulmon was out-of service (had driven longer than allowed under the FMCSR § §  395.3(a)(1) & (2)) and should not have been driving at the time of the subject collision, and (6) the actions of Toulmon and Enterprise both contributed to the collision. See Resp. to Motion to Strike Maxwell, Ex. B. In his Supplemental Report, Maxwell included the following opinion: “Toulmon was fatigued at the time of the wreck; that the hours of service violations by Toulmon both show he was fatigued and are a cause or contributing cause of the wreck; Toulmon’s violation of the log hours (log falsification) are a cause or contributing cause of the wreck.” See Id., Ex. C. Maxwell also offered several opinions regarding the qualifications and/or opinions offered by the expert witnesses designated by Defendants. Id., Ex. C.

 

Defendants, through their Motion to Strike Other Matters, seek to strike the opinions offered by Maxwell in his October 23, 2006, Supplemental Report. Defendants first argue that this report should be treated as a sworn repudiation of Maxwell’s prior deposition testimony, and is therefore inadmissible for the purpose of defeating a properly supported motion for summary judgment. See Kennett-Murray Corp. v. Boone, 622 F.2d 887, 894 (5th Cir.1980). The Court finds that as it was not required to consider Maxwell’s Reports when considering the motions for summary judgment, and as his reports are not admissible evidence, this argument is moot. Next, Defendants argue that the Supplemental Report should be excluded pursuant to Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(b)(4)(A) because it was produced after the date on which Maxwell was deposed. The Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, however, also provide:

 

 

Rule 26(b)(4)(a) provides:

A party may depose any person who has been identified as an expert whose opinions may be presented at trial. If a report from the expert is required under subdivision (a)(2)(B), the deposition shall not be conducted until after the report is provided.

 

A party is under a duty to supplement at appropriate intervals its disclosures under subdivision (a) if the party learns that in some material respect the information disclosed is incomplete or incorrect and if the additional or corrective information has not otherwise been made known to the other parties during the discovery process or in writing. With respect to testimony of an expert from whom a report is required under subdivision (a)(2)(B) the duty extends both to information contained in the report and to information provided through a deposition of the expert, and any additions or other changes to this information shall be disclosed by the time [such] disclosures … are due.

Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(e)(1). Under the Local Rules of this Court, supplemental disclosures required by Rule 26(e)(1), must be submitted before the discovery cut-off as established by the scheduling order. See Local Rule 26.1(5). Maxwell’s Supplemental Report was produced on October 23, 2006, which was before the November 11, 2006, discovery deadline in this case. As such, the Court finds no merit in the argument that Maxwell’s Supplemental Report should be excluded as untimely. Additionally, the Court finds that as the opinions offered by Maxwell in his Preliminary and Supplemental Reports are similar, and that Defendants deposed Maxwell regarding these opinions, they will not be prejudiced in the event the opinions presented in the Supplemental Report are not excluded. Accordingly, the Court finds that the Motion of Defendants to Strike Other Matters, to the extent that Motion seeks to strike the Supplemental Report produced by Maxwell, is not well taken and should be denied.

 

Through their Motion to Strike Maxwell, Defendants seek to strike Maxwell’s opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation. In the pleadings before the Court, both parties have extensively briefed the issues of whether Maxwell is qualified to render opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation, the methodology and facts/data upon which these opinions are based, and the manner in which his opinions were formulated. Before addressing any of these issues, the Court must first consider whether Maxwell’s opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation “will assist the trier of fact to understand the evidence or to determine a fact in issue,” which is a question of relevance. See Daubert, 509 U.S. at 591; Fed.R.Evid. 702. In order to “assist the trier of fact,” the opinions/testimony of an expert witness must “concern matters beyond the understanding of the average person.” 4 Weinstein’s Federal Evidence, §  702.03 (2 ed.2003). See also United States v. Moore, 997 F.3d 55, 57 (5th Cir.1993) (“An expert’s testimony may take the form of an opinion if it ‘serves to inform the jury about affairs not within the understanding of the average man.’ ”) (quoting United States v. Webb, 625 F.2d 709, 711 (5th Cir.1980)); Gust v. Jones, 162 F.3d 587, 594-95 (10th Cir.1998) (finding that expert testimony may be excluded in cases in which the “normal life experiences of the jury would permit it to draw its own conclusions” and “when expert testimony is offered to explain a question the jury is capable of assessing itself.”) (citations omitted).

 

The Court finds Maxwell’s opinions regarding whether Toulmon was fatigued and whether that fatigue proximately caused the subject collision are not required to assist the jury in understanding the evidence or facts in this case. The Court finds that the effects of driving extended periods of time are generally known by the “average man.” Therefore, the jury can decide for itself whether Toulmon was fatigued based on the number of hours he drove, and whether that fatigue, if any, proximately caused or contributed to the subject collision. The Court will permit Maxwell to testify regarding the content of the FMCSRs and whether Toulmon was in violation of those Regulations during the relevant time period. Maxwell, however, will not be allowed to offer any opinion or testimony regarding fatigue and/or fatigue-related causation at trial.

 

 

B. Tim Corbitt

 

Defendants seek to exclude certain testimony/opinions of Tim Corbitt (“Corbitt”), who has been designated in the area of accident reconstruction. In his Collision Reconstruction Report, Corbitt made the following determinations: (1) Mary Claudine Bridges’s (“Bridges”) vehicle was stopped on the emergency lane of Interstate 55, approximately four feet from the road, (2) Bridges was standing near her vehicle outside the traffic lanes, (3) the tail lights of the vehicle Bridges was towing would have reflected light from oncoming headlights, (4) Toulmon drove outside of the marked traffic lanes, into the emergency lane, (5) the angle of skid marks and the angle of the tire trail do not establish emergency steering by Toulmon to avoid colliding with a passing vehicle, (6) there was no visible sign of contact with another vehicle on the driver’s side of Toulmon’s tanker, (7) there is no known evidence that Toulmon was avoiding another vehicle when his vehicle left the traffic lane and struck Bridges, (8) Toulmon was traveling at approximately 69-74 miles per hour, and (9) Toulmon operated his vehicle in violation of Mississippi Code Annotated Section 63-3-1213. See Resp. to Motion to Strike Corbitt, Ex. B. In the Supplement to his Collision Reconstruction Report, Corbitt added the following:

Toulmon was violating the log requirements and driving while he was over the limit for drive time. He also was falsifying the information is his logs. On the date of the wreck … Toulmon should not have been on the road operating a commercial vehicle because he should have been out of service and not able to operate the vehicle. The length of his driving time would indicate violation of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Standards and would indicate that he was fatigued. Enterprise had caught Toulmon in September 2003 and September 2004 falsifying his log books but took no action to make sure it would stop. It is my opinion that the acts of Toulmon and Enterprise caused the accident with the Bridges vehicle on December 16, 2005.

 

Id., Ex. C. Finally, in the Second Supplement to his Collision Reconstruction Report, Corbitt offered opinions regarding the qualifications/opinions of the experts designated by Defendants, and cited additional materials to support his opinion that Toulmon was fatigued based on the number of hours he had driven, and that his fatigue contributed to the subject collision. Id., at D.

 

Defendants, through their Motion to Strike Other Matters, seek to strike the opinions offered by Corbitt in the October 31, 2006, Second Supplement to his Collision Reconstruction Report and his post-deposition affidavit. As with Maxwell, Defendants argue that these documents should be treated as sworn repudiations of Corbitt’s prior deposition testimony, and are therefore inadmissible for the purpose of defeating summary judgment. Again, as the Court was not required to consider the Second Supplement or Corbitt’s affidavit when considering the motions for summary judgment, and as his reports/affidavit are not admissible evidence, the Court finds that this argument is moot. Secondly, the Court finds that as Corbitt’s Second Supplement to his Collision Reconstruction Report was produced prior to the November 11, 2006, discovery deadline, the argument that it was untimely produced lacks merit. Additionally, the Court finds that as the opinions offered by Corbitt in his pre-deposition Collision Reconstruction Report and Supplement thereto are similar to those offered in the post-deposition Second Supplement, and that Defendants deposed Corbitt regarding these opinions, they will not be prejudiced in the event the opinions contained in the Second Supplement are not excluded. Accordingly, the Court finds that the Motion of Defendants to Strike Other Matters, to the extent that Motion seeks to strike the Second Supplemental Report and affidavit produced by Corbitt, is not well taken and should be denied.

 

Through their Motion to Strike Corbitt, Defendants seek to strike Corbitt’s opinions on (1) certain issues of accident reconstruction, and (2) fatigue and fatigue-related causation. With regard to the first issue, Defendants do not argue that Corbitt is unqualified to render an expert opinion in the area of accident reconstruction. Instead, Defendants seek to exclude his opinions on the bases that he provided testimony during his deposition that contradicted his proffered opinions and he failed to consider or otherwise omitted relevant facts when formulating his opinions. The Court finds that the issues of whether Corbitt provided inconsistent statements and/or failed to consider allegedly pertinent facts when formulating his opinions relate to credibility, not admissibility. Accordingly, the Court finds that Corbitt should not be excluded as an expert witness as this time.

 

With regard to the issues of fatigue and fatigue-related causation, for the reasons stated supra at 8-9, the Court finds that Corbitt’s opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation should be excluded because they will not assist the trier of fact in making a determination on either of these issues. Further, the parties are cautioned that the Court will not permit the introduction of repetitive or cumulative evidence regarding the FMCSRs and/or whether they were violated by Toulmon at trial.

 

 

C. Motion to Strike Other Matters

 

In addition to seeking to strike the supplemental reports of Maxwell and Corbitt, Defendants seek to strike any remark or statement by Brenda Creech (“Creech”). Creech was an eyewitness to the subject collision, but died before giving any testimony in this case. The Court finds that any attempt to use statements or remarks made by Creech to prove the truth of the matter asserted, for example that Bridges survived and was conscious after the subject collision or that Creech saw only one set of headlights on the road before Bridges was struck, are hearsay and inadmissible as evidence at trial.

 

Second Defendants seek to strike any economist from testifying at trial on the basis that Plaintiff did not produce a written report from any such expert during discovery. In accordance with Local Rule 26.1(2)(b), which provides: “An attempt to designate an expert without providing full disclosure information as required by [Fed.R.Civ.P. 26(a)(2) ] will not be considered a timely expert designation and may be stricken upon proper motion or sua sponte by the court.” As no written expert report from any economist has been produced by Plaintiff, Plaintiff will not be allowed to designate or otherwise call such expert to testify at trial.

 

Third, Defendants seek to exclude from evidence documents and other information previously undisclosed in this case. The Court will reserve ruling on this issue pending identification of specific documents/information from those exhibits designated by Plaintiff in the proposed pre-trial order.

 

Finally, Defendants seek to exclude Bridges’s income tax records for tax years 2002, 2003, and 2004, on the basis that they were not produced during discovery, even though they had been requested through formal requests for production of documents. The Court finds that although untimely produced, these records have now been produced and, because of their relatively simple nature, sufficient time exists before trial so that Defendants will not be prejudiced by their late production. Accordingly, the Court finds that the subject tax records may be admitted into evidence assuming proper predicate is laid.

 

 

D. Plaintiff’s Motions to Strike

 

Plaintiff seeks to exclude or limit the testimony of William D. Frazier, M.D., as it relates to his opinion that Plaintiff’s expert witnesses Maxwell and Corbitt are not qualified to provide expert opinions regarding whether Toulmon was fatigued or whether such fatigue caused or contributed to the subject collision. As the Court has found that neither Maxwell nor Corbitt will be permitted to testify regarding fatigue or fatigue-related causation, the Court finds that the Motion to Strike Frazier is moot, and should be denied without prejudice. There will be no need for such testimony from Frazier.

 

Second, Plaintiff seeks to exclude or limit the testimony of Whitney G. Morgan (“Morgan”) regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation. For the reasons stated supra at 8-9, the Court finds that Morgan’s opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation should be excluded because they will not assist the trier of fact in making a determination on either of these issues. Morgan, however, will be permitted to testify regarding the content of the FMCSRs and whether Toulmon violated or was in compliance with these Regulations at the time of the subject collision.

 

Third, Plaintiff seeks to exclude or limit the testimony of Brett Alexander (“Alexander”), first as it relates to his opinion that Plaintiff’s expert witnesses Maxwell and Corbitt are not qualified to provide expert opinions regarding whether Toulmon was fatigued or whether such fatigue caused or contributed to the subject collision. Again as the Court has found that neither Maxwell nor Corbitt will be permitted to testify regarding fatigue or fatigue-related causation, the Court finds that Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Alexander on this basis is moot. Second, Plaintiff seeks to exclude/limit Alexander’s testimony regarding his accident reconstruction opinions by claiming he failed to consider several relevant facts in this case. The Court finds that the issue of whether Alexander omitted and/or failed to consider allegedly pertinent facts when formulating his opinions is one of credibility, not admissibility. Finally, Plaintiff’s argue that Alexander’s opinions should be excluded as cumulative. As cautioned above, the Court will not permit the introduction of repetitive or cumulative evidence at trial. The Court, however, cannot determine at this time whether Alexander’s testimony would be cumulative. Accordingly, the Court finds that Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Alexander should be denied without prejudice.

 

Finally, Plaintiff seeks to exclude the testimony of Rodney Ellis (“Ellis”), who is described as an “experienced, professional over the road truck driver.” The Court finds that Ellis, based on his experience as a professional truck driver, may testify as an expert witness. See Fed.R.Evid. 702 (providing that a witness may be qualified as an expert based on “knowledge, skill, experience, training or education”). The Court additionally finds that Ellis, based on his personal experience as a truck driver, would have direct knowledge as to whether a driver would be fatigued after driving the number of hours as had Toulmon before the subject collision. The Court finds that Ellis is qualified as an expert, and may testify on the issue of whether a driver would be fatigued after driving the number of hours driven by Toulmon. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Ellis is denied.

 

 

IV. Conclusion

 

For the forgoing reasons:

 

IT IS THEREFORE ORDERED that the Motion of Defendants to Strike Late-Filed, Inadmissible, Improperly [sic] and Other Matter [Docket No. 126] is hereby granted in part and denied in part.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion of Defendants to Strike Plaintiffs’ Designation of Dane Maxwell as Plaintiffs’ Expert and to Exclude his Specific Opinions on, Inter Alia, Defendant Toulmon’s Truthfulness, “Fatigue” and Causation by Fatigue as Unfounded, on his Reconstruction of the Accident, on Operational Cause and Hours-of-Service and Record Keeping as Superfluous and not Helpful to the Trier of Fact [Docket No. 120] is hereby granted to the extent Defendants seek to exclude Maxwell’s testimony/opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Motion of Defendants to Strike Plaintiffs’ Designation of Tim Corbitt as Plaintiffs’ Expert and to Exclude his Specific Opinions on, Inter Alia, Defendant Toulmon’s Truthfulness, “Fatigue” and Causation by Fatigue as Unfounded, his Opinions on Operational Cause and Location of the Collision as Superfluous and not Helpful to the Trier of Fact [Docket No. 123] should be granted to the extent it seeks to exclude Corbitt’s testimony/opinions regarding fatigue and fatigue-related causation.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Brett Alexander [Docket No. 145] should be denied without prejudice.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Rodney Ellis [Docket No. 148] is denied.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Whitney G. Morgan [Docket No. 150] is granted to the extent it seeks to exclude Whitney’s testimony/opinions regarding fatigue.

 

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike or Limit the Testimony of Defendants’ Expert Witness Dr. William D. Frazier [Docket No. 152] is denied as moot.

 

SO ORDERED.

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