Mallory v. Werkman Estate 2015 ONCA 71, February 2, 2015
On February 6, 2005, three motorcycle drivers were racing. One of the drivers, Mr. Werkman, lost control and struck a car seriously injuring the driver, Mr. Mallory. Mr. Werkman died. Mr. Mallory, sued Mr. Werkman’s Estate, the other two motorcycle drivers (Mr. Nemes and Mr. Mihali), as well as his own insurer (Security National) for underinsured/uninsured coverage.
Mr. Mihali’s insurer, Royal and Sun Alliance (“RSA”), appointed defence counsel, but reserved their right to limit or dispute coverage. While RSA appointed separate coverage counsel, RSA was not added as a statutory third party to the proceeding.
Mr. Mallory reached a settlement with Mr. Mihali, RSA, and Security National. Under the terms of the settlement a trial was to be conducted to determine if the Mr. Mihali was liable to Mr. Mallory. If Mr. Mihali was not liable, then Security National was to pay the settlement monies. If Mr. Mihali was liable, RSA would pay at least $200,000 of the settlement amount, and perhaps the full amount if Mr. Mihali was not in breach of the conditions of his insurance policy.
In February 2014 the trial judge found that Mr. Mihali was, “engaged in a joint venture” with Mr. Werkman in which they encouraged each other to drive at excessive speeds etc. Mr. Mihali was found to bear 25% liability. The trial judge dismissed the action as against Security National on the basis that Mr. Mihali was insured at the time of the accident.
Following the trial decision RSA’s coverage counsel wrote to the trial judge and counsel and expressed concern about the trial judge’s findings regarding coverage. Coverage counsel was advised to contract the trial coordinator, but did not do so. Instead RSA’s coverage counsel brought a motion to intervene in the appeal.
The Court of Appeal denied the motion. The Court noted the trial judge had asked for clarification of the issues to be determined at trial and had been advised by Mr. Mihali’s defence counsel that if no findings were made as to whether Mr. Mihali was racing Mr. Mihali would have coverage, and the claim as against Security National could be dismissed.
The Court was very critical of RSA’s failure to make a decision regarding coverage despite having had a 45 minute video of the motorcycles on their high speed ride for many years prior to trial. The Court stated “(RSA) appointed and paid for defence counsel and decided to delay a determination of coverage until after the trial…it would have been well aware of the importance of ensuring its coverage position was properly communicated and the scope of the trial was clearly defined”. Specifically RSA could have taken steps to be added as a statutory third party, and did not do so and therefore RSA was “not in a position to now complain on appeal about confusions surrounding coverage.”
