STATE OF MISSOURI. PULASKI COUNTY
IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY, MISSOURI
R. ROSS POOL and . TAMMIE POOL,
Plaintiffs
-vs-
FARM BUREAU TOWN & COUNTRY INSURANCE COMPANY OF MISSOURI,
Defendant
(Serve: Director Division of Insurance Jefferson City, Missouri 65101)
Cause No. CV505-2043CC
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED Filed Nov. 17 2005
PETITION FOR DAMGES
COME NOW Plaintiffs, by and through counsel and for their cause of action .
against Defendant Farm Bureau Town & Country Insurance Company of Missouri, state as follows:
Common Allegations
1. Plaintiffs R Ross Pool and Tammie Pool are now and were at all times
herein mentioned citizens of the State of Missouri
2. Defendant Farm Bureau Town & Country Insurance Company of Missouri
is now and was at all times herein mentioned a duly organized and existing Missouri
insurance company engaged in the business of issuing insurance policies to the public for
consideration, and was registered to do business in the State of Missouri.
3. That at all times herein mentioned, Defendant acted both individually and
by and through its agents, servants, and employees, who at all times herein mentioned acted within the course and scope thereof.
4. That at all times herein mentioned, Anthony Breedlove owned and
operated a construction company that did business as Mastercraft Construction; that at all times herein mentioned, Anthony Breedlove acted as the agent, servant and employee of Defendant
5. That at all times herein mentioned Plaintiffs owned maintained and occupied certain real and personal property, including a three bedroom frame dwelling, located at 12494 Eveningshade Road in Plato, Missouri.
6. That on or about the 10th day of February, 2003, a water pipe burst within
a wall separating the main household bathroom and the master bedroom at the aforesaid dwelling; water spilled through the wall, into the attic and across the flooring surface; the center beams supporting the floor joist warped, sagged and displaced; walls in the kitchen and bedroom settled; multiple walls and flooring throughout the house sustained water damage; roof decking warped.
7. That prior to the date of the aforesaid occurrence, Defendant issued to
Plaintiffs a policy of homeown.ers insurance, Policy No. PRO 0041505 05.
8. That the aforesaid homeowners insurance policy provided coverage such that Defendant must pay to Plaintifts all sums which they are legally entitled to recover for damages to the dwelling incurred as a result of the sudden, accidental and direct loss to the aforesaid dwelling and any personal property physically destroyed or to which Plaintiffs lost use.
9. That the aforesaid homeowners insurance policy was in full force and
effect on the date of the aforesaid occurrence.
10. That at all times herein mentioned, Plaintiffs complied with all terms of
the aforesaid homeowners insuance policy.
11. That on or about September 2003, Anthony Breedlove inspected the
aforesaid structural. and water damage at 12494 Eveningshade Road; that Anthony Breedlove was delivered to said site by Mark Fuchs, an employee of Defendant; that Mark Fuchs accompanied Anthony Breedlove through his site inspection of the aforesaid dwelling.
12. That on or about February 11, 2004 Anthony Breedlove bid on work to
repair water damage at 12494 Eveningshade Road; the bid amounted to $23,471.17.
13. That on or about the week beginning February 23, 2004, Anthony
Breedlove began work at 12494 Eveningshade Rd.
14. That on or about February 27, 2004, Defendant issued three checks for
repair to aforesaid dwelling; the checks were issued, respectively, in the amounts of $15,688.70, $6,818.77 and $4,584.80; each check was made payable to Plaintiff R. Ross Pool and "MASTERCRAFT CONSTRUCTION, TONY"; Plaintiff Tammie Pool endorsed said checks and delivered said checks to Anthony Breedlove at the direction of Defendant.
15. That on or about March 12,2004, Anthony Breedlove quit work at 12494
Eveningshade Road; the work on whieh Anthony Breedlove bid was not complete on said date; as a result thereof, the aforesaid dwelling sustained additional damage and destruction due to the presence of unnatural amounts of water, moisture and mold.
COUNT I
(Breach of Contract)
COME NOW Plaintiffs, by and through coullsel, and for Count I of their cause of
action against Defendant Fann Bureau Town & Country Insurance Company of Missouri, state as follows:
1. Plaintiffs incorporate hereinafter. as though fully set forth her.ein,
Paragraphs 1 through 15 of Common Allegations.
2. That Defendant did not pay to Plaintiffs the cost to replace the
aforementioned destroyed and damaged pr.operty.
3. That Defendant failed to perform the obligations set forth in the aforesaid
homeowners insurance policy when Defendant refused to pay Plaintiffs the cost to
replace the aforementioned destroyed and damaged property.
4. That the failure of Defendallts to pay Plaintiffs the cost to replace the
aforementioned destroyed and damaged property was without reasonable cause or excuse .
5. That as a direct result of such failure, water and moisture remained within,
on and about the walls. floors, ceilings and support structure of the dwelling located at
12494 Eveningshade Road; the mold grew in said dwelling as a result of the presence of
water and moisture therein; that said dwelling is not now habitable; that Plaintiff-s have
lost the use and enjoyment said dwelIing and of certain personal property in the dwelling
at the time the aforesaid water pipe burst.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs state that they have been damaged, for which damage
they pray judgment against Defendant Farm Bureau Town & Country Insurance
Company of Missouri in such sum as may be fair and reasonable in the premises. but in
excess. of Twenty-Five Thousand Dollars ($25,000.00), together with prejudgment
interest, penalty for vexatious refusal, attorney fees and their costs in this behalf expended.
VS.
FARM BUREAU TOWN & COUNTRY INSURANCE COMPANY OF MISSOURI,
Defendant.
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
ANSWER TO PLAINTIFFS' PETITION FOR DAMAGES
COMES NOW Defendant Farm Bureau Town & Country Insurance
Company of Missouri, by and through undersigned counsel, and pursuant to
the Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure, and states:
Answer to Common Allegations
1. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 1, and therefore denies the same.
2. Admit.
3. Denied.
4. Denied.
5. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 5, and therefore denies the same.
6. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 6, and therefore denies the same.
7. Admit.
8. Paragraph number 8 is not a short and plain statement of fact as
required by the Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure, and is a legal conclusion,
which requires no response from this defendant. Defendant further requests
paragraph 8 be stricken. To the extent Paragraph 8 is deemed a short and
plain statement of fact, it is denied.
9. Defendant admits that the date of the occurrence mentioned in
Plaintiffs' Petition was within the applicable coverage period.
10. Denied.
11. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 11, and therefore denies the same.
12. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 12, and therefore denies the same.
13. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 13, and therefore denies the same.
14. Denied.
15. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 15, and therefore denies the same.
COUNT I (Breach of Contract)
COMES NOW Defendant, by and through undersigned counsel, and for
its Answer to Count I, and states:
1. Defendant incorporates its Answers to Paragraphs 1 through 15 as
if fully set forth herein.
2. Denied.
3. Denied.
4. Denied.
5. Denied.
COUNTll
(Breach of Fiduciarv Duty)
COMES NOW Defendant, by and through undersigned counsel, and for
its Answer to Count II of Plaintiffs' Petition, and states:
1. Defendant incorporates hereinafter, as though fully set forth
herein, its Answers to Paragraphs 1 through 15 of Common Allegations.
2. Admit.
3. Paragraph number 3 is not a short and plain statement of fact as
required by the Missouri Rules of Civil Procedure, and is a legal conclusion,
which requires no response from this defendant. Defendant further requests
paragraph 3 be stricken. To the extent Paragraph 3 is deemed a short and
plain statement of fact, it is denied.
4. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 4, Count II, and therefore denies the same.
5. Denied.
6. Denied.
7. Denied.
COUNT III (Fraud}
COMES NOW Defendant, by and through undersigned counsel, and for
its Answer to Count III, and states:
1. Defendant incorporates hereinafter, as though fully set forth
herein, its Answers to Paragraphs 1 through 15 of Common Allegations.
2. Denied.
3 .. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 3, and therefore denies the same.
4. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 4, and therefore denies the same.
5. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 5, and therefore denies the same.
6. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 6, and therefore denies the same.
7. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 7, and therefore denies the same.
8. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 8, and therefore denies the same.
9. Denied.
COUNT IV
(Negligent Infliction of Emotional Distress)
COMES NOW Defendant, by and through undersigned counsel, and for its Answer to Count IV of Plaintiffs' Petition, states:
1. Defendant incorporates hereinafter, as though fully set forth
herein, its Answers to Paragraphs 1 through 15 of Common Allegations.
2. Denied.
3. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 3, and therefore denies the same.
4. Denied.
5. Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to fonn a
belief as to the truth of Paragraph 5, and therefore denies the same.
6. Denied.
7. Denied.
8. Denied.
9. Denied.
10. Denied.
WHEREFORE having fully answered and responded to Plaintiffs' Count IV, Defendant prays for dismissal with prejudice, its costs, and any further relief this Court deems just and proper under the circumstances.
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES APPLICABLE TO ALL COUNTS
A For further answer, and by way of affirmative defense, Defendant
states that Plaintiffs' Petition fails to state a claim or cause of action upon which relief may be granted.
B. For further answer, and by way of affirmative defense, Defendant
states that Plaintiffs' failed to mitigate damages.
C. For further answer, and by way of affirmative defense, Defendant
states that if Plaintiffs were damaged as alleged, which is denied, all such damage was caused or contributed to be caused by the fault or negligence of others over whom this Defendant had no control, which should be compared to diminish or bar recovery.
D. In further answer and by way of affIrmative defense, Plaintiffs
failed to comply with all the terms and conditions of the applicable policy of insurance, and, therefore, are not entitled to coverage under the relevant provisions of the applicable policy of insurance; in particular, Plaintiffs did not give immediate written notice of the loss, or the issues relating to the contractor; did not protect the property from further damage, and make necessary and reasonable repairs to protect the property.
E. In further answer and by way of affIrmative defense, Plaintiffs are
not entitled to coverage for their claim for damage to the interior of the insured dwelling because coverage for any such damage is expressly precluded by the applicability and effect of the "neglect of the insured" exclusion of the subject policy of insurance as cited below in pertinent part:
GENERAL EXCLUSIONS - APPLICABLE TO ALL LEVELS OF PROTECTION
We will not pay for loss or damage caused directly or indirectly by any of the following. Such loss or damage is excluded regardless of any other causes or events that contribute concurrently or in any other sequence to the loss.
10. Neglect of any insured to use all reasonable means to protect
covered property at and after the time of loss of when property is
threatened by an insured peril.
F. For further answer, and as an affirmative defense, Defendant
states that Plaintiffs' claims are barred by accord and satisfaction.
G. For further answer, and for as an affirmative defense, Defendant
states that Plaintiffs' claims for damages based on aggravating
circumstances/punitive damages violates the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and
Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America in
the following particulars:
a. Plaintiffs claim for damages based on aggravating circumstances/punitive damages violates the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America for the following reasons:
i. The Double Jeopardy Clause is violated because multiple awards of damages based on aggravating circumstances/punitive damages can be imposed upon Defendant for the same act or omission and because an award of damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages can be imposed upon Defendant> even though Defendant could have been or was convicted or acquitted of a factually related offense in an underlying criminal proceeding.
ii. The Self-Incrimination Clause is violated because Defendant can be compelled to give testimony against itself.
b. Plaintiffs claim for damages for aggravating Circumstances/punitive damages violates the Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America because such damages may be imposed by a less than unanimous jUlY, and based upon a burden of proof applicable in civil cases, whereas damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages are a fine or penalty and are quasi-criminal in nature.
c. Plaintiffs claim for damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages violates Defendant's right to access to the Courts guaranteed by the Seventh and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America because the threat of an award of unlimited damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages chills the Defendant's exercise of that right.
d. Plaintiffs claim for damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages violates the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America's guarantee that excessive fmes shall not be imposed.
e. Plaintiffs claim for damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages violates the Due Process and Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America for the follOwing reasons:
1. The standard or test for determining the requisite mental state of the Defendant for imposition of damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages is void for vagueness.
ii. Insofar as damages for aggravating . circumstances/punitive damages are not measured against actual injury to the Plaintiff and are left wholly to the discretion of the jury, there is no objective standard that limits the amount of such damages as may be awarded, and the amount of damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages that may
be awarded is indeterminate at the time of the Defendant's alleged egregious conduct.
11. In cases involving more than one defendant, the evidence of the net worth of each is admissible, and the jury is permitted to award damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages in differing amounts based upon the affluence of a given defendant.
iv. The tests or standards for the imposition of damages for aggravating circumstances/punitive damages differs from state to state such that a specific act or omission of a given defendant mayor may not result in the imposition of such damages, or may result in differing amounts of such damages, depending upon the state in which suit is flied, such that Defendant is denied equal protection of the law.
v. Damages for aggravating circumstances may / punitive damages be imposed without a requisite showing of hatred, spite, ill-will or wrongful motive.
WHEREFORE having fully answered and responded to Plaintiffs' Petition,
Defendant prays for dismissal with prejudice, its costs, and any further relief
this Court deems just and proper under the circumstances.
Robert L. Brady, #47522 Bradley R. Hansmann #53160 BROWN & JAMES, p.e.
lO lO Market Street, 20th Floor S 1. Louis, Missouri 6310 1 (314) 421-3400
(314) 421-3128 - fax
rbrady@bjpc.com bhansmann@bjpc.com
Attorneys for Defendant
(court actions filed in this case)
25th Judicial Circuit (Maries, Phelps, Pulaski & Texas Counties)
25V05052043C - R R POOL ET AL V FARM BUREAU TOWN COUNTRY
This information is provided as a service and is not considered an official court record.
Displaying 1 thru 52 of 52 dockets returned for case 25V05052043C.
11/17/2005 Docket Entry: Petition:
Text: PETITION - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
11/18/2005 Docket Entry: Notice
Text: NOTICE / SUMMONS / WARRANT - FILED BY CLERK
Docket Entry: Summons Issued-Circuit
Text: SERVICE ISSUED: SUMMONS ISSUE DATE: 2005-11-18 ISSUED TO: FARM BUREAU TOWN COUNTRY SERVICE SERVED: PERSONAL SERVICE TO PERSON IN CORP SERVE DATE: 2005-11-30 MEMO TEXT: DESIGNEE
11/30/2005 Docket Entry: Corporation Served
Text: SERVICE ISSUED: SUMMONS ISSUE DATE: 2005-11-18 ISSUED TO: FARM BUREAU TOWN COUNTRY SERVICE SERVED: PERSONAL SERVICE TO PERSON IN CORP SERVE DATE: 2005-11-30 MEMO TEXT: DESIGNEE
12/08/2005 Docket Entry: Memorandum Filed
Text: MEMORANDUM - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: REQ. ALIAS SUMMONS
Docket Entry: Memorandum Filed
Text: MEMORANDUM - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: REQ. ALIAS SUMO
12/12/2005 Docket Entry: Notice
Text: NOTICE / SUMMONS / WARRANT - FILED BY CLERK
Docket Entry: Notice
Text: NOTICE - FILED BY CLERK: NOTICE OF REJECTION OF SERVICE BY DEPT. OF INS.
Docket Entry: Summons Issued-Circuit
Text: SERVICE ISSUED: SUMMONS ISSUE DATE: 2005-12-12 ISSUED TO: DAN CASSIDY SERVICE SERVED: PERSONAL SERVICE TO PERSON IN CORP SERVE DATE: 2006-01-12 MEMO TEXT: ALIAS-SERVED D. MOORE-DESIGNEE
01/12/2006 Docket Entry: Corporation Served
Text: SERVICE ISSUED: SUMMONS ISSUE DATE: 2005-12-12 ISSUED TO: DAN CASSIDY SERVICE SERVED: PERSONAL SERVICE TO PERSON IN CORP SERVE DATE: 2006-01-12 MEMO TEXT: ALIAS-SERVED D. MOORE-DESIGNEE
02/06/2006 Docket Entry: Notice of Court Hearing Sent
Text: NOTICE OF HEARING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
Docket Entry: Motion for Change of Venue
Text: MOTION FOR CHANGE OF VENUE - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
02/27/2006 Docket Entry: Answer Filed
Text: ANSWER - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
Docket Entry: Suggestions Filed
Text: SUGGESTIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: IN SUPPORT OF DEF'S MOTIONS
Docket Entry: Motion Filed
Text: MOTION - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: MOTION FOR JUDG. ON PLEADINGS: COU NT II
Docket Entry: Motion Filed
Text: MOTION - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: MOTION FOR JUDG. ON PLEADINGS: COU NT III
Docket Entry: Motion Filed
Text: MOTION - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: MOTION FOR JUDG. ON PLEADINGS: COU NT IV
03/08/2006 Docket Entry: Request Filed
Text: REQUEST - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: REQUEST FOR ENTRY UPON LAND
03/10/2006 Docket Entry: Response Filed
Text: RESPONSE - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: RES. TO REQUEST FOR ENTRY UPON LAN D
04/21/2006 Docket Entry: Reply
Text: REPLY - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: IN OPPOSITION TO APPLICATION FOR R ULE 51.03 CHANGE OF VENUE
04/24/2006 Docket Entry: Notice of Court Hearing Sent
Text: NOTICE OF HEARING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
05/15/2006 Docket Entry: Cert Serv of Interrog Filed
Text: CERTIF. OF SERVICE/INTERROGATORIES - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Docket Entry: Certificate of Service
Text: CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
06/05/2006 Docket Entry: Suggestions Filed
Text: SUGGESTIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: IN SUPPORT OF DEF'S APPLICATION FO R CHANGE OF VENUE
06/07/2006 Docket Entry: Motion Hearing Held
Text: MINUTES: Motions for Change of Venue and all other motions noticed up by the parties to be heard on June 29, 2006 at 9:00 am.
06/12/2006 Docket Entry: Notice
Text: NOTICE / SUMMONS / WARRANT - FILED BY CLERK
Docket Entry: Notice of Court Hearing Sent
Text: NOTICE OF HEARING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
Docket Entry: Suggestions Filed
Text: SUGGESTIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: SUGGESTIONS IN OPPOSITION TO DEF'S FOR JUDG. ON THE PLEADINGS ON COU NTS II, III, AND IV
06/22/2006 Docket Entry: Notice of Court Hearing Sent
Text: NOTICE OF HEARING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
06/26/2006 Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
06/29/2006 Docket Entry: Motion Hearing Held
06/30/2006 Docket Entry: Suggestions Filed
Text: SUGGESTIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT: IN SUPPORT OF DEF'S APPLICATION FO R CHANGE OF VENUE
Docket Entry: Motion Hearing Held
Docket Entry: Change of Venue
Text: CHANGE OF VENUE
07/14/2006 Docket Entry: Entry of Appearance Filed
Text: ENTRY OF APPEARANCE - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Docket Entry: Notice
Text: NOTICE FOR TRIAL SETTING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
Docket Entry: Jury Trial Scheduled
Docket Entry: Jury Trial Scheduled
07/26/2006 Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
08/21/2006 Docket Entry: Filing:
Text: RETURN RECEIPT CARD - FILED BY CLERK: RECEIPT OF FILE IN PHELPS COUNTY
09/21/2006 Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
10/06/2006 Docket Entry: Notice to Take Deposition
Text: NOTICE TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
10/23/2006 Docket Entry: Notice to Take Deposition
Text: NOTICE TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
11/09/2006 Docket Entry: Notice to Take Deposition
Text: NOTICE TO TAKE DEPOSITIONS - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF: AMENDED
12/06/2006 Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFF
01/09/2007 Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Text: CERTIFICATE OF MAILING - FILED BY ATTORNEY FOR DEFENDANT
01/31/2007 Docket Entry: Certificate of Mailing
Filing Party: SMITH, TYCE STUART
03/28/2007 Docket Entry: Notice to Take Deposition
Text: Amended Notice
Filing Party: DEVOTI, MATTHEW JOSEPH
04/09/2007 Docket Entry: Notice to Take Deposition
Text: Second Amended
Filing Party: LOWE, KIMBERLY FAITH
Displaying 1 thru 52 of 52 dockets returned for case 25V05052043C.