El Capitan HOA v. State Farm Fire and Casualty Company et al

Filing 54

ORDER: Motion for Partial Summary Judgment 41 is granted. State Farm shall refile on CM/ECF a complete copy of Document 42, Exhibits 5 and 6. El Capitan shall file on CM/ECF a complete copy of Dr. Rajan's Roof Surface Inspection. Final Pretria l Conference set for 6/2/2014 at 2:30 p.m. Proposed Pretrial Order is due 5/16/2014. The parties shall file and serve all motions in limine no later than 4/25/2014. Responses to motions in limine are due 5/9/2014. No replies will be permitted. See order for additional deadlines and details. Signed by Senior Judge Stephen M McNamee on 3/14/2014.(LMR)

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IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

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FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

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El Capitan HOA,

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Plaintiff,

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vs.

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State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.,

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Defendant.

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No. CV-12-631-PHX-SMM

MEMORANDUM OF DECISION
AND ORDER

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Pending before the Court is Defendant State Farm Fire and Casualty Co.’s (“State

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Farm”) motion for partial summary judgment, which is fully briefed. (Docs. 41-42, 49-50,

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52-53.) State Farm moves for partial summary judgment on Plaintiff El Capitan HOA’s (“El

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Capitan”) claims for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing (“bad faith”) and

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punitive damages. After considering the parties’ briefing and having determined that oral

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argument is unnecessary,1 the Court will grant State Farm’s motion for partial summary

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judgment on bad faith and punitive damages and set this matter for trial on El Capitan’s

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breach of contract claim.

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BACKGROUND
El Capitan is a condominium owners association consisting of 22 condominium

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State Farm’s request for oral argument is denied because the parties have had an
adequate opportunity to present their written arguments, and oral argument will not aid the
Court’s decision. See Lake at Las Vegas Investors Grp., Inc. v. Pac. Malibu Dev., 933 F.2d
724, 729 (9th Cir. 1991).

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owners in 11 buildings along El Capitan Circle in Sun City, Arizona. (Doc. 42-1 at 15.)

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These condominium units experienced wind and hail damage from a storm occurring on

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October 5, 2010. (Doc. 41 at 2.) On behalf of El Capitan, Dr. James Longo asked Jasper

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Contractors (“Jasper”) to inspect his roof. (Doc. 42-1 at 15.) When Jasper reported

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significant hail damage to his roof, Dr. Longo authorized Jasper to conduct roof inspections

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on all 22 units. (Id. at 8.) Jasper inspected the other roofs that were part of El Capitan from

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February 17, 2011, through February 18, 2011, and provided damage estimates. (Id. at 29-

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49.)2 Following Jasper’s roof inspection and damage estimates, El Capitan filed an insurance

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claim with State Farm for hail damage. (Id. at 11.) On February 17, 2011, State Farm

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assigned the claim to Adjuster Christina Wagner and an inspection of the roofs was set for

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March 7, 2011. (Id. at 15.) Prior to State Farm’s inspection, El Capitan did not provide State

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Farm with Jasper’s estimates. (Id. at 20.) At the March 7, 2011,3 inspection, Ms. Wagner

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met with Rodney Belt from Jasper. (Id. at 16.) She inspected all 11 buildings for wind and

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hail damage and estimated the total damage to be $6,129.68. (Id. at 18-19; see also id. at 50-

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63.4) Ms. Wagner’s inspection of the roof included making ten-foot test squares to test for

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hail damage. (Id. at 16-19; see also id. at 66.) Following the inspection, Ms. Wagner

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discussed her findings with Dr. Longo and advised that her estimate would follow by mail.

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The Court’s courtesy copy of the exhibits in support of State Farm’s Statement of
Facts includes additional pages documenting Jasper’s inspection and damages estimate. The
Court will order State Farm to refile on CM/ECF a complete copy of Document 42, Exhibit
5.
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State Farm acknowledges that the claim file does not reflect the correct date of Ms.
Wagner’s inspection of the roofs. (Doc. 41 at 3.) Evidently, Ms. Wagner copied her claim
notes into a wrong location and had to retrieve them. (Id.) The correct date, March 7, 2011,
is verified by a March 8, 2011 letter from Jasper, who objected to Ms. Wagner’s findings and
her damage estimate. (Doc. 42-1 at 71.) This does not, however, create a disputed material
fact.
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The Court’s courtesy copy of the exhibits in support of State Farm’s Statement of
Facts includes additional pages documenting Ms. Wagner’s inspection and estimate. The
Court will order State Farm to refile on CM/ECF a complete copy of Document 42, Exhibit
6.
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(Id. at 18.) In accordance with Ms. Wagner’s estimate, State Farm issued payment to El

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Capitan HOA in the amount of $6,129.68, the actual cash value of the loss. (Id. at 19.)

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On March 15, 2011, State Farm received a letter from Jasper indicating disagreement

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with Ms. Wagner’s estimate. (Id. at 71.) Ms. Wagner advised Dr. Longo that they received

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the letter from Jasper, but that a second inspection was not warranted based on Jasper’s word

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without the support of a written estimate. (Id. at 20.) Ms. Wagner also suggested that Dr.

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Longo call back after he had a chance to review State Farm’s written estimate. (Id.) Dr.

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Longo agreed to call back the following week. (Id.) On March 28, 2011, Dr. Longo called

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State Farm and requested a second inspection. (Id.) State Farm advised him that it still did

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not have Jasper’s written estimate, something that was needed in order to move forward with

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a second inspection. (Id.) On April 5, 2011, State Farm received a scanned copy of the

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Jasper estimate via email from El Capitan’s State Farm agent, Bill Johnson. (Id. at 21.) The

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estimate from Jasper totaled $186,956.01 and included a complete roof replacement on every

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building. (Id.)

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On April 16, 2011, the file was reassigned to another adjuster for a second inspection.

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(Id. at 22.) On April 21, 2011, State Farm Adjuster Steve Rinks telephoned all parties to set

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up the inspection for May 6, 2011. (Id.) On May 6, 2011, Mr. Rinks attended the inspection

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with Field Claim Representative James Willoughby, and they were joined at the site by

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Reuben from Jasper. (Id. at 22-24.) They inspected all 11 buildings for storm-related

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damage that had not been previously identified by Ms. Wagner. (Id.) They found $1,542.43

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in additional wind and hail related damage, and State Farm issued an actual cash value

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payment in the amount of $1,317.90. (Id.)

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On October 16, 2011, on behalf of El Capitan, State Farm received a demand letter

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for $285,000. (Id. at 24; id. at 73-75.) Accompanying the demand letter was a roofing

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damage estimate from Austin Insurance Services, Inc. (“AIS”) for $245,260.04. (Doc. 50-3

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at 2-96.) On December 5, 2011, State Farm responded and stated their intention to have an

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independent roofing expert inspect the properties for the purpose of giving El Capitan’s claim

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additional consideration. (Doc. 42-1 at 81.) Thereafter, State Farm retained the Klingler

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Group as its roofing expert and on December 15, 2011, and December 16, 2011, Stephen

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Klingler inspected the roofs at El Capitan for storm damage. (Id. at 85-99.) Mr. Klingler

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found no hail damage to any of the roofs’ composite shingles. (Id.) State Farm reviewed Mr.

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Klingler’s report and determined that all proper payments had already been made under the

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policy. (Id. at 101.) On February 22, 2012, El Capitan filed the instant lawsuit in Maricopa

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County Superior Court, alleging breach of contract, bad faith and punitive damages. The case

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was removed to district court on March 23, 2012. (Doc. 1.)

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STANDARD OF REVIEW

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I. Partial Summary Judgment

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Upon motion at any time, a party defending against a claim may move for “partial

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summary judgment,” that is, “summary judgment in the party’s favor as to . . . any part

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thereof.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(b). A court must grant summary judgment if the pleadings and

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supporting documents, viewed in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, “show that

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there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to

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judgment as a matter of law.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(c); see Celotex Corp. v. Catrett, 477 U.S.

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317, 322-23 (1986); Jesinger v. Nevada Fed. Credit Union, 24 F.3d 1127, 1130 (9th Cir.

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1994). Substantive law determines which facts are material. See Anderson v. Liberty

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Lobby, 477 U.S. 242, 248 (1986); see also Jesinger, 24 F.3d at 1130. “Only disputes over

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facts that might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law will properly preclude

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the entry of summary judgment.” Anderson, 477 U.S. at 248. The dispute must also be

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genuine, that is, the evidence must be “such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for

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the nonmoving party.” Id.; see Jesinger, 24 F.3d at 1130.

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A principal purpose of summary judgment is “to isolate and dispose of factually

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unsupported claims.” Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323-24. Summary judgment is appropriate

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against a party who “fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence of an

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element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of proof

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at trial.” Id. at 322; see also Citadel Holding Corp. v. Roven, 26 F.3d 960, 964 (9th Cir.

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1994). The moving party need not disprove matters on which the opponent has the burden

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of proof at trial. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 323. The party opposing summary judgment “may

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not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of [the party’s] pleadings, but . . . must set forth

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specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for trial.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(e); see

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Matsushita Elec. Indus. Co. v. Zenith Radio, 475 U.S. 574, 585-88 (1986); Brinson v. Linda

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Rose Joint Venture, 53 F.3d 1044, 1049 (9th Cir. 1995). “[T]he purpose of Rule 56 is to

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enable a party who believes there is no genuine dispute as to a specific fact essential to the

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other side’s case to demand at least one sworn averment of that fact before the lengthy

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process of litigation continues.” Lujan v. Nat’l Wildlife Federation, 497 U.S. 871, 888-89

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(1990).

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II. Bad Faith

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A federal court sitting in diversity applies state substantive law. See Hambleton Bros.

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Lumber Co. v. Balkin Enterprises, Inc., 397 F.3d 1217, 1227 (9th Cir. 2005). Thus, this

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Court applies Arizona law to the state-law claims at issue. “An insurance contract is not an

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ordinary commercial bargain; implicit in the contract and the relationship is the insurer’s

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obligation to play fairly with its insured.” Zilisch v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 196

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Ariz. 234, 237, 995 P.2d 276, 279 (2000) (further quotation omitted). Although insurers do

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not owe fiduciary duties to their insureds, they do owe some duties of a fiduciary nature

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including equal consideration, fairness and honesty. Id. The insurer is obligated to conduct

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a prompt and adequate investigation, to act reasonably in evaluating the insured’s claim, and

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to promptly pay a legitimate claim. Id. at 238, 995 P.2d at 280.

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“An insurer acts in bad faith when it unreasonably investigates, evaluates, or processes

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a claim (an ‘objective’ test), and either knows it is acting unreasonably or acts with such

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reckless disregard that such knowledge may be imputed to it (a ‘subjective’ test).” Nardelli

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v. Metro. Group Prop. & Cas. Ins. Co., 230 Ariz. 592, 597-98, 277 P.3d 789, 794-95 (App.

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2012) (citing Zilisch, 196 Ariz. at 238, 995 P.2d at 280). Both the objective and subjective

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elements of bad faith are applied to the insurer’s evaluation of the claim and to the insurer’s

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claims handling process. Id.

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The insurer may challenge claims which are fairly debatable. See Noble v. National

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Amer. Life Ins. Co., 128 Ariz. 188, 190, 624 P.2d 866, 868 (1981). Where the insurance

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company has a reasonable basis for denying or failing to process a claim, or where the claim

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is fairly debatable, a cause of action for bad faith will not lie. See Lasma Corp. v. Monarch

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Ins. Co. of Ohio, 159 Ariz. 59, 63, 764 P.2d 1118, 1122 (1988). To determine fair

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debatability, the Court first looks to whether the insurer’s actions were objectively

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reasonable, which is based upon a simple negligence standard–whether the insurance

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company acted in a manner consistent with the way a reasonable insurer would be expected

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to act under the circumstances. See Trus Joist Corp. v. Safeco Ins. Co. of Am., 153 Ariz. 95,

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104, 735 P.2d 125, 134 (App. 1986). If the insurer acted objectively unreasonably, then the

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Court moves to the subjective inquiry and determines if the insurer knew or was conscious

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that its conduct was unreasonable. Id. Generally, the insurer’s subjective “belief in fair

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debatability is a question of fact to be determined by the jury.” Zilisch, 196 Ariz. at 280, 995

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P.2d at 279 (further citation and quotation omitted). However, if the insured offers no

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significantly probative evidence that calls into question the insurer’s subjective belief

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regarding fair debatability, the court may rule on the issue as matter of law. See Knoell v.

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Metropolitan Life Ins. Co., 163 F. Supp.2d 1072, 1076 (D. Ariz. 2001); see also Aetna Cas.

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& Sur. Co. v. Superior Court In & For Cnty. Of Maricopa, 161 Ariz. 437, 440, 778 P.2d

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1333, 1336 (App. 1989) (stating that “there are times when the issue of bad faith is not a

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question appropriate for determination by the jury.”).

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III. Punitive Damages

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In a bad faith tort case against an insurance company, punitive damages may only be

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awarded if the evidence reflects “something more” than the conduct necessary to establish

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the tort. Rawlings v. Apodaca, 151 Ariz. 149, 160, 726 P.2d 565, 576 (1986). In Rawlings,

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the Arizona Supreme Court explained the parameters of punitive damages as follows:

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We restrict [the availability of punitive damages] to those cases in
which the defendant’s wrongful conduct was guided by evil motives. Thus, to
obtain punitive damages, plaintiff must prove that defendant’s evil hand was
guided by an evil mind. . . . [P]unitive damages will be awarded on proof from
which the jury may find that the defendant was ‘aware of and consciously
disregard[ed] a substantial and unjustifiable risk that’ significant harm would
occur.

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151 Ariz. at 162, 726 P.2d at 578 (citations omitted). Summary judgment for defendant on

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the issue of punitive damages must be denied if a reasonable jury could find the requisite evil

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mind by clear and convincing evidence; summary judgment should be granted if no

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reasonable jury could find the requisite evil mind by clear and convincing evidence.

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Thompson v. Better-Bilt Aluminum Prod. Co., 171 Ariz. 550, 558, 832 P.2d 203, 211 (1992).

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The court construes the evidence and all reasonable inferences drawn from the evidence in

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a light most favorable to the non-moving party. Id.

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DISCUSSION
I. Bad Faith

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State Farm moves for summary judgment on El Capitan’s bad faith claim contending

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that its investigation was thorough, prompt, and reasonable, that it reasonably evaluated,

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promptly handled, and paid El Capitan’s insurance claim. (Doc. 41 at 6-15.) Based on the

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material facts, State Farm contends that El Capitan fails to show that it unreasonably

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evaluated or handled this claim. (Id. at 15.)

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El Capitan argues that its bad faith claim is not subject to summary judgment because

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State Farm did not conduct an adequate investigation and deliberately ignored roof damage

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evidence that contradicted their adjuster’s findings. (Doc. 49 at 4-9.) Because State Farm’s

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investigation was inadequate, El Capitan contends State Farm cannot rely on a fairly

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debatable defense or otherwise be entitled to summary judgment. (Id. at 4.) El Capitan

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further argues that State Farm failed to investigate and reconcile the gaping differences

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between the scope of loss it evaluated and El Capitan’s evaluation of loss. (Id. at 8-9.)

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Finally, El Capitan offers its expert report concluding that State Farm’s claim handling was

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carried out in bad faith. (Id. at 9-10.)

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State Farm did not move for summary judgment on El Capitan’s breach of contract

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claim. Thus, whether or not State Farm breached the insurance contract by devaluing El

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Capitan’s claim will be set for trial.5 At issue is whether State Farm is entitled to summary

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Both parties submitted expert reports and testimony regarding valuation of El
Capitan’s storm damage. (State Farm, Doc. 42-1 at 85-93.) (Regarding El Capitan’s report,
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judgment on El Capitan’s bad faith claim. In the arena of insurance bad faith, an insurer acts

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in bad faith when it unreasonably investigates, evaluates, or processes a claim (an “objective”

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test), and either knows it is acting unreasonably or acts with such reckless disregard that such

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knowledge may be imputed to it (a “subjective” test). Nardelli, 230 Ariz. at 597-98, 277 P.3d

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at 794-95. Both the objective and subjective elements of bad faith are applied to the insurer’s

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evaluation of the claim and to the insurer’s claims handling process. Id. Thus, in order to

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establish bad faith, a party bears the burden of proving both the objective and subjective

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prongs of bad faith. In order to establish its bad faith claim, El Capitan alleges that State

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Farm’s investigation was inadequate and that it did not properly attempt to reconcile the

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scope of loss between the estimates provided by the insured and its own estimates.

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Adequate Investigation

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State Farm contends that its investigation was not just adequate, but thorough, prompt,

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and reasonable; and that it reasonably evaluated, promptly handled, and timely paid the

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insured’s claim. (Doc. 41 at 8-15.)

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El Capitan alleges that State Farm’s initial adjuster, Christina Wagner, was not

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properly trained to evaluate roofing problems. (Doc. 49 at 5.) For instance, Ms. Wagner

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testified that she did not understand the function of granules on a composite roof shingle.

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(Id., (citing Doc. 50-2 at 4).) When she was asked to explain the function of granules, she

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responded, “[t]hey protect and provide a way to properly shed water off a roof.” (Doc. 50-2

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at 4.) When asked whether granules served any other function, Ms. Wagner responded, “I

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don’t know.” (Id.) El Capitan further alleged that Ms. Wagner was unaware that the

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unsealing of shingles due to high wind is considered wind-induced damage. (Doc. 49 at 5,

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(citing Doc. 50-2 at 5-6).) Based on El Capitan’s allegation that Ms. Wagner lacked a basic

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working knowledge of roof systems and that she was unable to identify wind damage to

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shingle roofs, El Capitan contends that State Farm should have consulted with a qualified

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the Court’s courtesy copy of the exhibits in support of El Capitan’s Statement of Facts
includes Dr. Rajan’s Roof Surface Inspection, which is missing from and not filed on
CM/ECF. The Court will order El Capitan to file on CM/ECF a complete copy Dr. Rajan’s
Roof Surface Inspection.)
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roofer or assign appropriate weight to a qualified roofer’s findings. (Doc. 49 at 5-6.) El

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Capitan further alleges that State Farm refused its request for a second inspection and ignored

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the findings and damages estimate of Jasper Roofing, a qualified roofer. (Id. at 6-7.)

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Therefore, El Capitan asserts that such is competent evidence of unreasonable conduct by

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State Farm precluding summary judgment.

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State Farm assigned Ms. Wagner to El Capitan’s claim. (Doc. 42-1 at 15.) State Farm

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trained her to inspect for and identify hail and wind damage to property. (Doc. 50-2 at 3.)

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Ms. Wagner conducted the first inspection on El Capitan’s 11 buildings and wrote an

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estimate for hail and wind damage. (Doc. 42-1 at 50-63.) Ms. Wagner’s activity log shows

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that she drew a test square on each of the roof surfaces and noted the number of hail hits she

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found per test square on each roof with the designation “hl/sq.” (Doc. 42-1 at 16-19; see also

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Doc. 42-1 at 66.) Ms. Wagner found hail damage, discussed those findings with the insured,

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and provided the insured with her report. (Doc. 42-1 at 18, 50-63.) Ms. Wagner also found

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wind damaged shingles. (Id. at 16-18.) Nevertheless, El Capitan asserts that Ms. Wagner did

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not find enough wind damaged shingles because she “was unaware that the unsealing of

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shingles due to high wind is considered wind-induced damage.” (Doc. 49 at 5.) Ms. Wagner

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testified that when looking for wind damage she looks for unsealed shingles that have been

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flipped or creased or that have debris obstructing their ability to re-seal. (Doc. 42-1 at 66-67.)

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This is the same criteria used by Steve Rinks, the State Farm adjuster who conducted the

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second State Farm site inspection, along with a representative from Jasper Roofing. (Id. at

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22-23; Doc. 53-1 at 10-12.) As to El Capitan’s argument that Ms. Wagner is unqualified,

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Ms. Wagner’s inspection for hail and wind damage was supported by the estimates of

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subsequent adjuster Rinks and by State Farm’s retained roofing expert, Stephen Klingler,

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who reported less hail and wind damage than was found by Ms. Wagner. (Doc. 42-1 at 92.)

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Although El Capitan argues that State Farm refused its request for a second inspection

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and ignored Jasper’s findings and damages estimate, the evidence of record is otherwise.

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State Farm did not ignore Jasper’s findings and estimate; rather, when State Farm received

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them, it set up a second site inspection and evaluation. (Doc. 42-1 at 21-24, 27-49.) Steve

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Rinks, a State Farm adjuster, reviewed Jasper’s findings and estimate, performed the second

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site inspection and evaluation, and forwarded its adjustment and further payment to the

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insured. (Id. at 21-24, Doc. 53-1 at 10-12.) At the second site inspection, Jasper had a

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representative who participated with State Farm. (Id.) Thus, the record shows that when

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State Farm was provided with Jasper’s written estimate, State Farm gave the claim further

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consideration by conducting an additional second inspection for wind and hail damage.

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Moreover, after receiving AIS’s estimate recommending roof replacement, State Farm

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retained an independent roofing expert, Stephen Klingler, to inspect the property and give

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the claim additional consideration in light of the new estimate submitted on behalf of El

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Capitan. (Doc. 42-1 at 24-25, 81, 85-99; Doc. 50-3 at 2-96.)

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Based on these material facts, the Court does not find that State Farm conducted an

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inadequate investigation before valuing and paying El Capitan’s claim. Rather, the Court

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finds that State Farm conducted an adequate investigation and did not treat the insured

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unreasonably. No reasonable juror could consider the material facts argued by El Capitan

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and conclude that State Farm’s investigation was conducted in bad faith. Although an

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incomplete pre-denial investigation can expose an insurance company to liability for bad

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faith, see Rawlings v. Apodaca, 151 Ariz. 149, 160, 726 P.2d 565, 576 (1986), no reasonable

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juror could consider the facts argued by El Capitan and conclude that State Farm’s

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investigation and processing of this claim established a prima facie case of insurance bad

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faith.

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Scope of Loss

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Next, El Capitan argues that State Farm failed to investigate and reconcile the

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substantial difference between the scope of loss submitted by State Farm and that by El

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Capitan. (Doc. 49 at 8-9.)

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There can be no liability for bad faith if the insurer’s actions (even if ultimately

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proven wrong) are “fairly debatable.” See Trus Joist, 153 Ariz. at 104, 735 P.2d at 134. Here,

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the Court finds that State Farm did attempt to reconcile differences between the estimates of

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its adjusters and El Capitan’s contractors. At the first claim assessment, Rodney Belt from

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Jasper joined State Farm’s adjuster, Ms. Wagner. (Doc. 42-1 at 16.) During the inspection,

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Mr. Belt pointed to areas that he believed were hail damaged; Ms. Wagner examined those

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areas and exercised her own judgment to conclude that they were not hail damaged. (Doc.

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53-1 at 14.) By listening to Mr. Belt, considering his point of view, and ultimately

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disagreeing with him about the scope of hail damage, Ms. Wagner made a fair and reasonable

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attempt to reconcile the contractor’s opinion with her own estimate. After Ms. Wagner’s

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estimate, Jasper forwarded their objection to Ms. Wagner’s assessment. (Doc. 42-1 at 71.)

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Subsequently, State Farm received Jasper’s estimate for a roof replacement. (Id. at 27-50.)

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Adjuster Rinks looked at Jasper’s estimate before conducting the second inspection. (Id. at

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157.) At the re-inspection, Mr. Rinks was again joined by a Jasper representative, and he

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offered that person chalk to allow them to tell him what they identified as hail and wind

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damage. (Doc. 42-1 at 156, Doc. 53-1 at 12.) Ultimately, Mr. Rinks did not agree with

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Jasper’s damage assessment, but it was not for lack of trying to reconcile his opinion with

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Jasper. (Doc. 42-1 at 23.)

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When El Capitan forwarded the AIS estimate, State Farm responded by offering El

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Capitan the additional consideration of a roofing expert investigation. (Doc. 42-1 at 24-25,

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81, 85-99; Doc. 50-3 at 2-96.) Mr. Klingler reviewed AIS’s estimate prior to conducting his

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inspection. (Doc. 42-1 at 96.) However, Mr. Klingler did not agree with AIS’s recommended

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roof replacements and rendered a report consistent with his own opinion. (Id. at 85-93.) Mr.

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Klingler stated that he has personally performed roof repairs and warranties his workmanship

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on such repairs. (Doc. 42-2 at 7-8.) Further, he stated that spot repairs to a roof are common

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and are regularly warrantied by other roofers in the community.6 (Id.)

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The Court finds that State Farm gave El Capitan additional consideration at each point

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in the investigation. State Farm’s additional consideration attempted to reconcile the

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differences between the roofing contractor’s estimates and its own estimates. El Capitan has

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El Capitan’s expert disagrees with State Farm’s expert on this point. (Doc. 50 at 4.)
However, this is not a material dispute as to the existence of bad faith. It is undisputed that
State Farm engaged in these investigative and reconciling activities. The material dispute
regards El Capitan’s claim valuation.
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not argued material facts precluding summary judgment on this point. No reasonable juror

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could conclude that despite the additional consideration given regarding the scope of loss,

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State Farm’s decision to pay based on its own estimates was evidence of a bad faith failure

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to reconcile.

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Expert Report

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State Farm argues that El Capitan’s expert report authored by Charles Miller is

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inadmissible because the factual basis upon which his opinions rest are not supported by the

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record evidence, and therefore lacks a sufficient factual basis. (Doc. 41 at 8; Doc. 52 at 7,

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(citing Fed. R. Evid. 702(b)).) Consequently, Miller’s report is merely conclusory statements

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connected to the facts of this case only by his arbitrary and dogmatic assertions. (Id. at 7.)

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El Capitan contends that Mr. Miller’s report is admissible because it is “based on [his]

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own experience, observations and his studies . . .” (Doc. 49 at 9.) El Capitan further

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contends that the factual basis of Mr. Miller’s report goes to its weight and credibility, not

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admissibility. (Id.)

15

“A trial court can only consider admissible evidence in ruling on a motion for

16

summary judgment.” Orr v. Bank of America, 285 F.3d 764, 773 (9th Cir. 2002); Rule

17

56(c)(4) (“An affidavit or declaration used to support or oppose a motion must be made on

18

personal knowledge, set out facts that would be admissible in evidence, and show that the

19

affiant or declarant is competent to testify on the matters stated.”).

20

The Court has reviewed Mr. Miller’s report. The Court may overlook the hearsay

21

status of an expert report on the grounds that the expert would be able testify to the contents

22

of the report at trial. See Celotex, 477 U.S. at 324 (stating that a party need not produce

23

evidence in a form that would be admissible at trial in order to avoid summary judgment).

24

Although Mr. Miller outlined his belief as to what constitutes improper claims handling, Mr.

25

Miller did not connect his opinions with the facts of this case in order to support that State

26

Farm’s claims handling conduct was motivated by bad faith. In essence, Mr. Miller’s report

27

merely states contrary opinions without factual predicates. Nor does Mr. Miller find fault

28

with State Farm’s methodology of evaluation. Therefore, due to the lack of a factual basis,

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1

Mr. Miller’s report does not create a genuine issue for trial regarding El Capitan’s contention

2

that State Farm engaged in bad faith. See id. at 322 (stating that summary judgment is

3

appropriate against a party who “fails to make a showing sufficient to establish the existence

4

of an element essential to that party’s case, and on which that party will bear the burden of

5

proof at trial”). Consequently, Mr. Miller’s report does not preclude summary judgment.

6

II. Punitive Damages

7

The Court will grant State Farm’s motion for summary judgment precluding El

8

Capitan’s bad faith claim. Thus, El Capitan’s only remaining claim will be one for breach

9

of contract. El Capitan’s contract claim is for reasonable cost of replacement regarding

10

alleged roof damage.

11

Under Arizona law, punitive damages cannot be awarded for breach of contract;

12

rather, punitive damages are only available when an action sounds in tort. See In re Marriage

13

of Benge, 151 Ariz. 219, 224, 726 P.2d 1088, 1093 (App. 1986) (explaining that “punitive

14

damages may not ordinarily be assessed in contract actions” but that they “may be

15

recoverable where the breach of contract constitutes a tort”); see also Lerner v.

16

Brettschneider, 123 Ariz. 152, 156, 598 P.2d 515, 519 (App. 1979) ( “[A]lthough punitive

17

damages do not lie for breach of contract, they are recoverable where the breach of contract

18

constitutes a tort.”).

19

In this case, because the bad faith tort claim will be dismissed, the underlying breach

20

of contract claim will not support an award of punitive damages. Therefore, the Court will

21

grant State Farm’s motion for summary judgment on El Capitan’s claim for punitive

22

damages.

23

CONCLUSION

24

Accordingly, on the basis of the foregoing,

25

IT IS HEREBY ORDERED granting State Farm’s motion for partial summary

26
27
28

judgment regarding bad faith and punitive damages. (Doc. 41.)
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that State Farm shall refile on CM/ECF a complete
copy of Document 42, Exhibits 5 and 6.

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1
2

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that El Capitan shall file on CM/ECF a complete copy
of Dr. Rajan’s Roof Surface Inspection.

3

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED setting this case for a Final Pretrial Conference on

4

Monday, June 2, 2014 at 2:30 p.m. This matter appearing ready for trial, a Final Pretrial

5

Conference shall be held in Courtroom 401, Sandra Day O’Connor U.S. Federal Courthouse,

6

401 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona 85003. The attorneys who will be responsible for

7

the trial of the case shall attend the Final Pretrial Conference. Counsel shall bring their

8

calendars so that trial scheduling can be discussed.

9

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that, if this case shall be tried to a jury, the attorneys

10

who will be responsible for the trial of the lawsuit shall prepare and sign a Proposed Pretrial

11

Order and submit it to the Court on Friday, May 16, 2014.

12

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the content of the Proposed Pretrial Order shall

13

include, but not be limited to, that prescribed in the Form of Pretrial Order attached hereto.

14

Statements made shall not be in the form of a question, but should be a concise narrative

15

statement of each party’s contention as to each uncontested and contested issue.

16

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37(c) that

17

the Court will not allow the parties to offer any exhibits, witnesses, or other information that

18

were not previously disclosed in accordance with the provisions of this Order and/or the

19

Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and/or not listed in the Proposed Pretrial Order, except for

20

good cause.

21
22

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED directing the parties to exchange drafts of the
Proposed Pretrial Order no later than seven (7) days before the submission deadline.

23

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall file and serve all motions in

24

limine no later than Friday, April 25, 2014. Each motion in limine shall include the legal

25

basis supporting it. Responses to motions in limine are due Friday, May 9, 2014. No replies

26

will be permitted. The attorneys for all parties shall come to the Final Pretrial Conference

27

prepared to address the merits of all such motions.

28

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED directing the parties to complete the following tasks

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1

by the time of the filing of the Proposed Pretrial Order if they intend to try the case before

2

a jury:

3

(1)

The parties shall jointly file a description of the case to be read to the jury.

4

(2)

The parties shall jointly file a proposed set of voir dire questions. The voir

5

dire questions shall be drafted in a neutral manner. To the extent possible, the parties

6

shall stipulate to the proposed voir dire questions.

7

disagreement about a particular question, the party or parties objecting shall state the

8

reason for their objection below the question.

9

(3)

If the parties have any

The parties shall file a proposed set of stipulated jury instructions. The

10

instructions shall be accompanied by citations to legal authority. If a party believes

11

that a proposed instruction is a correct statement of the law, but the facts will not

12

warrant the giving of the instructions, the party shall so state. The party who believes

13

that the facts will not warrant the particular instruction shall provide an alternative

14

instruction with appropriate citations to legal authority.

15

(4)

16

the trial.

17

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED directing the parties to submit their proposed joint

18

statement of the case, joint voir dire questions, stipulated jury instructions, and verdict forms.

19

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that if the case will be tried to the Court, rather than

20

to a jury, instead of filing a Proposed Pretrial Order, each party shall submit proposed

21

findings of fact and conclusions of law by the same date the Proposed Pretrial Order is due.

22

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the parties shall keep the Court apprised of the

23

possibility of settlement and should settlement be reached, the parties shall file a Notice of

24

Settlement with the Clerk of the Court.

25

Each party shall submit a form of verdict to be given to the jury at the end of

DATED this 14th day of March, 2014.

26
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1
2
3
4
5
6

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

7

FOR THE DISTRICT OF ARIZONA

8
9

Plaintiff,

10
11

)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)

,

vs.

12
,
13
Defendant.
14

No. CV -PHX-SMM
PROPOSED
ORDER

PRETRIAL

FORM

OF

15
Pursuant to the Scheduling Order, the following is the joint Proposed Final Pretrial

16
17

Order

18

___________________________, _________ .

19

to

be

considered

at

the

Final

Pretrial

Conference

set

for

A. COUNSEL FOR THE PARTIES

20

(Include mailing address, office phone and fax numbers).

21

Plaintiff(s):

22

Defendant(s):

23

B. STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION.

24

Cite the statute(s) which gives this Court jurisdiction.

25

(e.g., Jurisdiction in this case is based on diversity of citizenship under Title 28

26

U.S.C. §1332.)

27

Jurisdiction (is/is not) disputed.

28

1

(If jurisdiction is disputed, the party contesting jurisdiction shall set forth with

2

specificity the bases for the objection.)

3

C. NATURE OF ACTION.

4

Provide a concise statement of the type of case, the cause of the action, and the

5

relief sought.

6

(e.g., - This is a products liability case wherein the plaintiff seeks damages for

7

personal injuries sustained when he fell from the driver's seat of a forklift. The

8

plaintiff contends that the forklift was defectively designed and manufactured by

9

the defendant and that the defects were a producing cause of his injuries

10
11

and damages.)
D. CONTENTIONS OF THE PARTIES.

12

With respect to each count of the complaint, counterclaim or cross-claim, and to

13

any defense, affirmative defense, or the rebuttal of a presumption where the

14

burden of proof has shifted, the party having the burden of proof shall list the

15

elements or standards that must be proved in order for the party to prevail on that

16

claim or defense. Citation to relevant legal authority is required.

17

(e.g., In order to prevail on this products liability case, the plaintiff must prove

18

the following elements . . . .

19

In order to defeat this products liability claim based on the statute of repose, the

20

defendant must prove the following elements . . . .)

21

E. STIPULATIONS AND UNCONTESTED FACTS

22

1. The following facts are admitted by the parties and require no proof:

23

2. The following facts, although not admitted, will not be contested at trial by

24

evidence to the contrary:

25
26
27
28

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1

F. CONTESTED ISSUES OF FACT AND LAW

2

1. The following are the issues of fact to be tried and decided: (Each issue of fact

3

must be stated separately and in specific terms. Each parties’ contention as to

4

each issue must be set forth with respect to each and every issue of fact). E.g.,

5

Issue # 1: Whether Plaintiff used due care.

6

Plaintiff Contends: Plaintiff looked both ways before stepping into the

7

street . . . .

8

Defendant Contends: Plaintiff was chasing a ball and darted out into the

9

street without looking . . . .

10

2. The following are the issues of law to be tried and determined: (Each issue of

11

law must be stated separately and in specific terms. Each parties' contention as

12

to each issue must be set forth with respect to each and every issue of law). E.g.,

13

Issue # 1: Whether Plaintiff's suit is barred by the doctrine of laches.

14

Plaintiff Contends: . . .

15

Defendant Contends: . . .

16

G. LIST OF WITNESSES.

17

A jointly prepared list of witnesses and their respective addresses, identifying

18

each as either plaintiff’s or defendant’s, and indicating whether a fact or expert

19

witness, must accompany this proposed order. If a witness’ address is unknown,

20

it should be so stated. A brief statement as to the testimony of each witness must

21

also be included. Additionally, the parties shall designate which witnesses (1)

22

shall be called at trial, (2) may be called at trial, and (3) are unlikely to be called

23

at trial.

24

Additionally, the parties shall include the following text in this portion of the

25

Proposed Pretrial Order:

26

The parties understand that the Court has put them on notice that they are

27

responsible for ensuring that the witnesses they want to put on the stand to testify

28

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1

are subpoenaed to testify, regardless of whether the intended witness is listed as

2

a witness for the plaintiff(s) or the defendant(s). Simply because a party lists a

3

witness does not mean that the witness will be called. Therefore, a party should

4

not rely on the listing of a witness by the opposing party as an indication that the

5

witness will be called. To the extent possible, the parties shall stipulate to the

6

witnesses who will be called to testify.

7

H. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

8

1. The following exhibits are admissible in evidence and may be marked in

9

evidence by the Clerk:

10

a. Plaintiff’s Exhibits:

11

b. Defendant’s Exhibits:

12

2. As to the following exhibits, the parties have reached the following

13

stipulations:

14

a. Plaintiff’s Exhibits:

15

b. Defendant’s Exhibits:

16

3. As to the following exhibits, the party against whom the exhibit is to be

17

offered objects to the admission of the exhibit and offers the objection stated

18

beneath:

19

a. Plaintiff’s Exhibits:

20

(E.g., City Hospital records of Plaintiff from March 6, 1985 through March 22,

21

1985. Defendant objects for lack of foundation because . . . . (the objection must

22

specify why there is a lack of foundation)).

23

b. Defendant’s Exhibits:

24

(E.g., Payroll records of Plaintiff’s employer which evidences payment of

25

Plaintiff’s salary during hospitalization and recovery. Plaintiff objects on the

26

ground of relevance and materiality because (the objection must specify why

27

there is a relevancy or materiality problem)).

28

-4-

1

I.

DEPOSITIONS TO BE OFFERED.

2

The parties shall list the depositions to be used at trial. The portions to be read

3

at trial shall be identified by page and line number. Counsel should note

4

objections to deposition testimony by writing the objection in the margins of that

5

portion of the text of the deposition to which the objection is made. Moreover,

6

these objections shall be explained in this portion of the Proposed Pretrial Order.

7

As is the Court's practice at trial, it is not sufficient for an objecting party to

8

simply state perfunctory grounds for an objection (e.g., “hearsay” or “lack of

9

foundation”) contained in the Proposed Pretrial Order. Each party must explain

10

the basis for each perfunctory objection (e.g., why it is hearsay, why it lacks

11

foundation, why it is irrelevant).

12

J.

MOTIONS IN LIMINE. Motions in limine shall be served, filed, and responded

13

to in accordance with the instructions contained in the Order Setting Final Pretrial

14

Conference.

15

K. LIST OF ANY PENDING MOTIONS

16

L. PROBABLE LENGTH OF TRIAL

17

M. JURY DEMAND - A jury trial (has) (has not) been requested. If a jury trial was

18

requested, (indicate the appropriate selection):

19

1. the parties stipulate the request was timely and properly made;

20

2. the (Plaintiff or Defendant) contends the request was untimely made because:

21

(explain why request was untimely); or

22

3. the (Plaintiff or Defendant contends that although the request for trial by jury

23

was timely, the request is improper as a matter of law because: (indicate the legal

24

basis why a jury trial would be improper).

25

For a Bench Trial

26

N-1. PROPOSED FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW shall

27

be filed and served by each party in accordance with the instructions contained

28

-5-

1

in the Order Setting Final Pretrial Conference.

2

For a Jury Trial

3

N-2.STIPULATED JURY INSTRUCTIONS, PROPOSED VOIR DIRE

4

QUESTIONS, AND PROPOSED FORMS OF VERDICT shall be filed in

5

accordance with the instructions contained in the Order Setting Final Pretrial

6

Conference.

7

O. CERTIFICATIONS. The undersigned counsel for each of the parties in this

8

action do hereby certify and acknowledge the following:

9

1. All discovery has been completed.

10

2. The identity of each witness has been disclosed to opposing counsel.

11

3. Each exhibit listed herein (a) is in existence; (b) is numbered; and (c) has been

12

disclosed and shown to opposing counsel.

13

4. The parties have complied in all respects with the mandates of the Court’s Rule

14

16 Order and Order Setting Final Pretrial Conference.

15

5. [Unless otherwise previously ordered to the contrary], the parties have made

16

all of the disclosures required by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.

17

APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CONTENT:

18

__________________________________ _________________________________

19

Attorney for Plaintiff

Attorney for Defendant

20

Based on the foregoing,

21

IT IS ORDERED that this Proposed Pretrial Order jointly submitted by the parties

22

is hereby APPROVED and is thereby ADOPTED as the official Pretrial Order of this Court.

23

DATED this ______ day of ______________________, _________.

24
____________________________
Stephen M. McNamee
Senior United States District Judge

25
26
27
28

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