Nautilus Insurance Company v. Strongwell Corporation, No. 1:2012cv00038 - Document 33 (W.D. Va. 2013)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 6/4/13. (flc)

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CLERK' OFFI U.S. DIT COURS S CE S. AT ROANOKE, VA J)F D1jt h fAji ./Ã¯ 0 -l j L v 5 FRHUAITGDTTSIONI IUI ITEWTDN IIRSR TRIT O TE ENE AEDTFC NA N H NBI RON SVISI OVOR S SDDT C C G E Bulqt,pt Yzpvut awysj j you ox Ars z na N AU TI S I SU RAN CE CO M PAN Y , LU N Ci lA c i N o.1: 2CV00038 vi ton 1 Pl ntf , ai i f M EM O R AN DU M O PINIO N STRON GW ELL CORPOR ATI , ON By: on.G l n E.Conr d H e a Chi fU nie St t s D it i tJ e e t d a e s rc udg D ef endant, I t si ur ec rgediput,Na iusl urnc Co ny(Ã¹ utl ' se a n hi ns anc ovea s e utl ns a e mpa C ius' e ks Na ) de lr tr j g n t a ih sn o lg to t d fn o id mniyS r n welCo o ain caao y ud me t h t t a o bi ain o ee d r n e f to g l p rto (k r wel')i c ci wihalws tt tBlc & Ve thCor ai (t ac & Ve th' kstong l' n onne ton t a ui ha a k ac porton tBl k ac ' ) f l d ag ns Stongw e li t Unie St t s Di ti tCour f t W ese n Di t i tofM i s i ie ai t r l n he t d a e sr c t or he t r s rc s our . The c e i pr e l bef r t c ton t o m oto f l d by St ongwel. Spe ii aly, as s es nty o e he our w i ns ie r l c fc l Stongwelha move t dimist a e d c r l s d o s s he m nde ompli i of ra i s ksa de l r ton t t ant ns a s t ee c a a i ha N a ius owesno dut t de e Stongw e la i tBl c & v ea c s c a m s Stongw e lha utl y o f nd r l ga ns a k t h' l i . r l s a s m ove t s a t a ton i of rasi s ksa de e m i ton ofw he he N a iusowe adut t lo d o t y he c i ns a t ee t r na i t r utl s yo i ndem niy Stong e l Fort r a ons s tf t be ow ,t m o i f pa taldi m i s lw ilbe f r w l. he e s e or h l he ton or r i s s a l gr nt d a t m oton t s a w ilbe gr nt d i pa ta de ed i pa t a e nd he i o t y l a e n r nd ni n r . Backeround 1. The U nderl nz A cton vi i On Januar 23,2012,Bl & V eat fl s tagai tStongw el i t W eser D i r ct y ack ch ied ui ns r l n he t n sti ofM i our . Accor ng t t am ended com pl nti t underyi acton,Bl & V eat ss i di o he ai n he l ng i ack ch a e dt c tuc s r j tbubblngracor (iBRs' f powe plntprj csowne by gre o onsr t eveale i e t s Ã» ' or J ) r a oet d Ameia ElcrcPowe SevieCor ai (i '. Bl k& Ve tht ne ee it a rc n e ti r r c porton i AEP') ac ac he ntrd no sresofs onta t wihM iwes Towe s I (( T1' whiha e dodesg s y, ei ubc r cs t d t r, nc.t ' M ) c gred t t in, uppl and eec t i enasf t J Prj ds' ( a k & Veac Am. mpla !41. I t n,MTl r the ntr l or he BR o e . Blc ' th Co . t ) n ur C ubc r tdt de i ma acur ands yofceti (i r l sr i oredplsi ' ontace he sgn, nuf t e, uppl s ran fbe gas enf c a tc ' ' maeil frt J Prj dst Stong l,s hasbea ,e umns de ,g ai a t ) tras o he BR o e o r wel uc FRP' ms ol , cks rtng, nd c onnecins' (d. t!43. to . 1 a ' ) A c or ng t Bl k & V e t h' a e d c pl nt Stongw e lpr vi d va i c di o ac a c s m nde om ai , r l o de r ous ca c a i a dr w i t M TI a M Tlt n d te p e t f fl is s y oblga i und l ul tons nd a ngs o , nd he k t m t d o ulil t uppl a i tons er t M T1Subcon r c sby buyi pulr t d FRP m ae i lfom Stong l i t f m ofExte he ta t ng ta e tra r r we l n he or r n, Co s lt, r g ae a doh rSr n welma u a tr dFRP. (d. tj5 . S r n wel mpo o i Du a r t, n t e to g l- n fcu e e ' l a r 3) to g l ' s d a delve e t s pr uc st M TI a M T1t n Ã» e Stongw e lspr ol nd i r d he e od t o , nd he l d r us l ' oduc st pe f m is t o r or t s opeofwor a t ee tt J .' (d. t!56. c k nd o rc he BRs' l a ) Bl ck & V e t h c a m st td a a c l i ha t e ousdef c si St o e lsFRP m a e i l a w or num r e t n r ngw l' t r a s nd k weedic e 'atrt e o t J we i oopeai (d. t!58. Fo i tnce r soverd' fe hre f he BRS ntnt rton. l a ) r nsa , Ã» i compos ied ksbe nt dee i aea a aami rt 'a 'l ori oft Compos ie olt ec ga o trort t n lr ng ae,' nd tpq tons he olt fie colaps ca d,deor ordelce s tntal ' (d. Blck& Ve thaleg ald, l ed, rcke f med, fe td ubsa ily. I ) a ' ac l es t tone oft J S know n a C r nal1 ' e re ed f r o a s f om N ove be 2008 ha he BR , s ' di Ca ,' xpe i nc ou ut ge r m r t ough Se e be 2009 i or rC o r pa rphys ca da age r s tng f om detc e i hr pt m r n de i e i t i l m s e uli r i i nc es dic r i t J ' (d.a !59. Anot rJ knownasScadi 2,'kxpeinc d sx s oveed n he BRs. 1 t ) ' he BR, i r nal 'Ce re e i out sbet e n D e m be 2008 a Augus 2009,f ofwhi h w e e uns he e t r pa r age w e ce r nd t our c r c dul d, o e i physc lda ia mage r s tngfom dei e e dic rdi t J . (d. Blck& Ve th s euli r fcincis s ovee n he BRs' I ) a ' ac algest ,Ã»l sar s tofdefcsi t maei a wor pr de byStongwelt r was le hat Ã»aq e ul e t n he tral nd k ovi d r l,hee 2 wi pr dphysc da get t Cadi lla Cadi l2J .' J a !61. Blc & des ea ial ma o he r na nd r na BRs' #. t ( ) a k Vea ch f heralegest def i deckssuppled by Stongw el att ee ot JBRS Scoul not t urt l hat ectve i r l hr her 4 d berplc dwihoute e i da get ot rpr ry. (d a !63. Purua t as tlme t e ae t xtnsve ma o he ope t ' L= t ) s nt o ete n ' r a he wih A EP,Bl ck & V e t h t r d t r pai a r pl c t m a e i la wor of ec d t a a c t ee o e r nd e a e he t r a nd ag k St ong el a t r pa ra r pl c a loft phys c da a c e by t m a e i la w o k of r w l nd o e i nd e a e l he i al m ge aus d he t r a nd r Sto welont J Prj t,'es tngi t e ndiur ofmilo ofdolasbyBlck& r ng l he BR oecs'r uli n he xpe t e lins lr a Ve th. (d.a !69. ac 1 t ) Bl c & V ea c sa e d com pl i tc a nst n s pa a e coun s a i tSt ong el. ak t h' m nde a n ont i e e r t t ga ns r w l The c ount i ude cl i s f rbr c ofe es w a r nt f iur t co or t e r s w a r nt s ncl a m o ea h xpr s r a y; a l e o nf m o xp e s r a y; br c ofi ple war a y i t t n i ea h m i d r nt n or ; eglgentm i r pr e a i ,s r c pr s e es nt ton' ti t oduc la lt f t i biiy or m a a t i def c ;ne i nce pr nuf c urng e t glge ' oduc la lt f f l e t wa n;c m on l f iur t , t i biiy or aiur o r om aw a l e o w a n; o e s o ne i nce a i m niy. r pr f s i nal glge ' nd nde t , Il. The Ins urance Polci i es N a ius i s d t o c m e c alge r lla lt polc est St o w el: i y N o. utl s ue w om r i ne a i biiy i i o r ng l Polc 8K 001 02973,f t polc perod ofDec m be 31 2007 t Dec m ber31 2008; nd Polc N o. or he i y i e r , o e , a iy 8K001 02974,frt polc perodofDe mbe 31 2008t Dec mber31 2009(ole tvey, o he iy i ce r , o e , c lci l Chepolces'. Thepolces i urngca eo i tsNa iust C yt esl t tt t t ii ') ii 'ns i lus blgae utl o t hos lms ha he pa is rdb c me lg l o lg tdt p y a d ma e b c u eo Ã§ dl ij r o Ã»r p ry n u e e o s e al biae o a s a g s e a s f bo i nu y' r p o e t y y da mage't whiht si urncea is' ( ii a j1! 1a . Thepolcisf t rpr de o c hi ns a pple . Polces t , ()) ' i e urhe ovi t tN a ius( ilha t r g a dut t de e t i ur a i ta Ã» ui's e ng t e ha utl Ã» l ve he i ht nd y o f nd he ns ed ga ns ny s t e ki hos w da es' (d. mag - l ) ' Thepolci dei Ã§ ope' da ge'a t ialij yt tngi epr ry,i udi i es fne t ly ma ' s i c nur o a bl ope t ncl ng pr t phys alr uli l sofus oft tpr ry. (d. tjV,J1 a . Thepolcesc rs hpr ry l es tng os e ha ope t ' l a ' ! 7()) ii ove uc ope t da a oc ur i durng t polc pe i i t pr ry da a r s t f om a k c r nc ' m ge c rng i he i y rod, f hc ope t m ge e uls r n Ã» ur e e, oc ' whi h t polci defne asta a ci nt i l ng co i c he i es i Ã»n c de , nc udi ntnuous o r pe e e r e at d xpos e t ur o s bsa ilyt s mege r hamf c tons' (d. tjj1! 1b)& V,! 1 ) u tntal he a neal r ul ondii . l a , ( ' 3. The polci s c ai a num be ofe l i i e ont n r xc usons. The polc e us ons a i s i t s c e i y xcl i t s ue n hi as a e t e f t a a To YourPr uc ,' i a a To YourW or ' kD a age To I pa r d r hos or s m ge D od t' Ã§D m ge k, i m ' m ie Pr pe t ' t calOfPr t,W o k Orl pa r Pr ry,'l r cua Libiiy, a o ryr s l ' Re oduc s r m ied ope t 'Ã» conta t l a lt ' nd ' i of s ona Li biiy.' i es i l a lt ' pr 11 1. The lns antAct on t i A fe t unde l ng a ton w a i ta e b Bl c & Vea c Stongw e lt r d a c ai t r he r yi c i s nii t d y a k t h, r l ende e lm f de ens and ori m nii a i t Na iusunde oneorbo h oft polc e . Na iusa e or f e / nde fc ton o utl r t he ii s utl gr ed t d e Stongwe lu rar e v ton ofrg s Na iust n c o ef nd r l nde es r a i i ht . utl he omme e t sa ton, nc d hi c i rquesi adeca aor j me t ti doe no ha t oblgaint dee Stongwelort e tng lr t y udg ntha t s t ve he i to o fnd r l, o i mniy Stongwelf a j nde f r l or ny udgme t tStongwelmihtber uie t pa ntha r l g eq rd o y, St ongwel s e nty m ove t dim i sN a ius sco pl nti of ras i r que t d a r l ubs que l d o s s utl ' m ai ns a t e se de a a i t tNa iusha no d yt de e Stongwe li t unde l ngaei clr ton ha utl s ut o f nd r l n he ryi ton. Stongwe l r l a s f l d a m o i t say t c e i of r a N a ius r s e a de a a i n t ti owesno dut l o ie ton o t he as ns a s utl eque t d cl r t o ha t y t i em ni y St o w e l o nd f r ng l. The co the d a he i on t m o i on Oc obe 25,201 A tt c us on oft ur l arng he tons t r 2. he oncl i he he rng, utl r ue t d andwasgr nt d l vet tl a a e a i Na ius eq se a e ea o ie n m nded c m pl i . Folo ng t o ant l wi he flngoft a e d c ii he m nde ompl i ,Stongwel a i fl damotonf pa ta dimis la am o i ant r l gan ie i or ri l s s a nd ton e i uly i ed i or i aton t s ay. Thos m ot onshave been f l br ef and are rpe f cons der i . o t ' 1Gi t spr edur hit y,Stongwel' pari moton t dim ist orgi compl ntand isi tal ven hi oc al sor r ls tal i o s s he i nal ai t nii moton t say w ilbedim is asmoot i o t l s s ed . Di cus i s s pn 1 . M oton f PartalD i i i or i sm ssal St o r ngwe lhasm ove t di m i s t am e d co pl i i of ra i s e a de a a i l d o s s he nde m a nt ns a s t e ks cl r ton t tNa iuso no d y t def Stongwe li t aci n br ha utl wes ut o end r l n he to oughtby Bl k& Ve t h. Under ac ac V i gi a l w ,2 t e de e m i ton ofwhe he a i ur rha a dut t de e Ã»de ndson r ni a h t r na i t r n ns e s y o f nd Ã» pe co pa ion oft polc lnguagewih t u ryi c pli ko de e m i whehe a m rs he i y a t he nde l ng om a nt t t r ne t r ny cli alge gnt compl nt aec rdbyt polc '' Sunef ma el ',I v. ams le d i he ai l r ovee he iy.' ror nc ntl nc. Ha tor Ca .I . ,33 F. 21 2 ( h Ci.2003 (uoi Fuizv. lci I .Co.o rf d s ns Co. 2 3d 5, 20 4t r ) q tng s See tve ns f Am.61F. 238,242( hCi.1 )( trtoni orgnal. Thi i c , 3d 4t r 995 aleai n ii l) s s ommonl r erdt as y efre o t ' gh co ner r e ' snc i r quiest c tC o com pa e t f c ner oft i ur nce he k t r s ul ,' i e t e r he our s ei t r he our or s he ns a polc agans t f c ne soft unde l ngc antgodeemi i a alegainsma iy i the our or r he ryi ompli t tr ne) f ny l to y pot nta l be c r by t polc ' CA CIl 'sl .v.St PaulFie a M a i l .Co. 566 e i ly ove ed he i y. ' nt l nc . r nd r ne ns , F. 1 1 ( hCi.2009 (lenain i orgi )(ntr cttona quottonmaks 3d 50, 53 4t r ) atr to n i nal i enal iai nd ai r omitd) te . The i ur d be st bur n ofpr ng c r unde t polc Res Ba ha es ns e ar he de ovi ove age r he i y. . nks r Cor v. . ulMe c r l . , F. 631, ( hCi.2005 . Howe r (hi bur ni p. StPa r u y ns Co.407 3d 636 4t r ) ve,Ã§ s de s t notes ilyoneoussnc t i lrrmus dee unl si ceal a r fom t gle to pecal r i e he nsze t fnd es t l ry ppeas r he algains i t undel nga onjt tt i urrwoul notb la eunde t polc c r c f a n he ryi di ha he ns e d e ibl r he iy onta t or nv j d me tb s du o t alg to s' 1 (mp a i i o iia)(n en lctto a dq oain u g n a e p n he l ain . d. e h ss n rgn l itr a iain n u tto e ' maksomit ) Be us t d yt dee Ã»aie whe ve t c anta i tt i urd r ted . ca e he ut o fnd irs s ne r he ompli gans he ns e alegesfact and cicum s ances som e ofw hi i pr l s r t , ch, f oved,w oul f lw ihi t rik cover by d al t n he s ed t polc ' t dut t de e i br de t n t dut t i m niy. Br he i y,' he y o f nd s oa r ha he y o nde f enne v. w v r Til r La e s te 2The pari agr t tV i ni l gover t diposton oft sis . tes ee ha rgi a aw ns he s ii hi s ue 5 I .Cor ,397S. 2d 1 l ( .1 ) 'ndee a i urrmayber uie t pr dea ns p. E. 00, 02 Va 990 . d d, n ns e l eq rd o ovi def ns e n w he e t uli a e r s uto oft ca e de o t a est tt i ur ri notla e f e e ve r he tm t e ol i n he s m nsr t ha he ns e s i bl or i m ni i a i ' Fui z, F. a 242. nde fc ton. ' s 61 3d t A. The Ti i oft M oton m ne he i Prort c i rngt me isofStongwe lsm o i f pa ta dim is ,t co tmus i o onsde i he rt r l' ton or ri l s s al he ur t frta es N a ius sar um e sr ga di t tmi oft moto Spe fcal Na ius is ddr s utl ' g nt e r ng he i ng he i n. cii ly, utl c e t tt m oton i tu ont nds ha he i s k nnec s a y, s nc N a iusi c r l de endi St ongw e li t e s r ' i e utl s ur enty f ng r ' l n he undel ngaci fl b Blc & Veac ( 0/ / 2Br i Opp' a 11) Na iusas a g ryi ton ied y a k th. 1 15 1 .n n t . utl lo r ues t tt m oton i ' e t e'i t tt tt r s uton oft dut t def nd quesi i a be ha he i s Ã» ma ur ,'n ha ha he e ol i pr he y-o- e ton l n c m or c usve y a c raned byr s t o e de eouti e oft s c led ( i c ne s' a e oncl i l s e ti e or t vi nc sd he o- a l eght or r - s de l dt oughdicoveyi t sc rgea ton. (d. t11) Fort f lwi ras ,he veope hr s r n hi ovea ci ' 1 a . ' he olo ng e onst c tfndsbot ar m e sunpe s s ve. our i h gu nt r ua i W hieN a iusc i l utl ontnuest de e Blc & Veac sc am sa i tSto we lunde a o f nd a k th' l i gans r ng l r r e va i n ofr ght , a t l e e s y de e t ti hasa d y t de end St ong el,a ha es r to i s N u ius xpr s l ni s ha t ut o f r w l nd s r uetdt tt sc tdecaet ts had ydoe no e s. ( Compl a !2- ) eq se ha hi our lr ha uc ut s t xit Am. . t 3. Cons ue l t c ti u bl t co l t ta r i on t si s i unnec s a y. Se e g. eq nty, he our s na e o nc ude ha ulng hi s ue s esr e, . , Pe N a ' M ut Ca . ns Co. Coc a Roofng & M e a Co. I , 2: 1 cv- 24, lU . nn. tl . s I . v. hr ne i t l , nc. No. 1 - 1 201 S. Dit LEXI 1 992,a *6( D. a. .20,2011 (s r Coc a i s. S 55 t N. Al Apr ) ddee, hrne nvoke Pem Nai ls l d l tona' dut t de e a at h Pe Na i lc tnuest dee t ca m unde ar s r ton of y o f nd, nd, lhoug nn tona on i o fnd he li r e e va i rght , nn N a i lde e t ts h a dut e s s A ss h,t r i unquesi bl a r pe, i i s Pe tona ni s ha uc y xit . uc he e s tona y i lve c r ryont tis ' (nt na ciai a quottonmaksomitd) ontoves ha sue.' i er l ttons nd ai ) r te . Thec tmus as rj tt agumentt tt moi t dimisi prmaur. Ass t our t lo eec he r ha he ton o s s s e t e e f ta orh bove, hi cour m us a y t ei c e sr l i de e m i ng whet rN a iushasadut t s t t ppl he ght onz r u e n t r ni he utl y t de e St ongwel. U nde t sr e, t Supr m e Cour ofV igi a r c l r ie a e S y o f nd r l r hi ul as he e t r ni e enty e t r t d, s onl t alegainsi t ( eryi c anta t poviinsoft i urncepolcyaet be he l to n he und l ngj ompli nd he r so he ns a i r o c i r d i de di w he hert r i a du y on t pa toft i ur rt de e t i ur ' ons de e n ci ng t he e s t he r he ns e o f nd he ns ed. ' AES Cor v.St dfs l . ,725S. 2d53 5 ( .201 (mpha i adde . p. ea a t ns Co. E. 2, 35 Va 2) e ss d) Li t i ur ri Ca t Envionm e alSe vi es l v. orh Ri rI ur nc ke he ns e n piol r nt r c . nc. N t ve ns a e Compa 53 F. nv, 6 Supp.2d633,64 ( D. 2008)Na iusi sofe e nopes sve 2 E. Va. , utl Ã» ha fr d rua i aut iy i supportofispr hort n t oposed rul t an i erm ay r y on exti c f st deny isdut e hat nsur el r nsi act o t y t de e whe t e ghtc ne sr e w oul ot r s r r i t def nd.' As t di t i tc t o f nd n he i or r ul d he wi e equie t o e ' he s rc our e h sz d i ta c s ,talo n a is r r op it ofcso ti etepla i g t mp a ie n h t a e t llwi g n n u e t on t a t u sd h e d n s o g de onsr t t ti w o d uli a e y ha no d y t i m niv a pr t ti ha no d y t m ta e ha t ul tm t l ve ut o nde f s oof ha t s ut o de e w oul r f nd d ende t t o dutesi i tngui ha e a t e f c i l de e a e t dut t r he w i nd s i s bl nd hus f e tve y pr ci t he y o dee ' l (mpha i i orgi ) fnd.' d.e ss n i nal. The onl V i ni case cied by N autl - Copp v.N a i i M ut I ur y rgi a t ius tonw de ual ns anee Co ny,692 S. 2d220( .201 - pr vi snos mpa E. Va 0) - o de uppor f t prposto t tani urr tor he o iin ha ns e m a r l on e r ns c e de e t de t i ur a de e e. l t a bas on a pa tc a y ey xti i vi nc o ny he ns ed f ns ns e d, ed r i ul r excepton t an excl on f i o usi ound i t polcy ati ue,t Copp Courtvar ed fom t ei cor n he i ss he i r he ght ners r ea c i r d e rnscevi nc t tti r a i t e ' d y t def nd. J a 225. ul nd onsde e xti i de e ha rgge ed n nsl rs ut o e r Z t . Spe fc l t polcy e l i n co a ned a s l - f ns e e i unde w hi h da a ca ed cii aly, he i xc us o nt i e f de e e xc pton, r c m ge us bya i ur dtyi t pr ec hi pes orprpe' woul notbeexcudedfo c r ge. Jl n ns e r ng o ot t s ron o ly t d l r m ove a .s t G i t s partcul excepton,w hi expr l cont pl ed cons der i ofm atersr s i ven hi i ar i ch essy em at i aton t ai ed n def e ofa cl m agai tt i ur t Supr e CourtofV igi a di tngui ens ai ns he ns ed, he em r ni si shed t case f om he r ot si whihiha srcl a idt ei c ne sr l,a hel t tt exc pton(e r dl her n c t d tity pple he ght or r ue nd d ha he e i l quier r c i rto o a i urd' cai t theo s c us bodiyij r orpr ryda getyi onsde ain f n ns e s l m ha r he a ed l n uy opet ma r ng t pr ec pe s orpr ryi e l tngwhehe t r i adut t dee i agi c s ' L. o ot t ron opet n vauai t r hee s y o fnd n ven a e. 1a ' l at225. Hee a Na tlss e iial a kn e g si isiiil re,h cr u tn e j siyn r , s u i p cfc ly c owld e n t nta b ift e ic msa c s u tf ig u t bas sf a e e i t t ei htc ne s nze i Co a e no pr e i t i t ntc s he i or n xc pton o he g or r l n pp r t es nt n he ns a a e. W hieN a iusc e t ta e ptont t l e s d none he e sa y, heco tfndsis l utl ontnds ha n xce i o he ' houl ul t l s ppl t ur i t a gum e sunpe s s ve. l s eki t opporuniy t r l on e rnsc e de e, a t l a gue r nt r ua i n e ng he t t o ey xt i i vi nc N u ius r s t ts h e de w iluli a e y esa i h t tBl c & V ea c sc a m sa e notcove e by t ha uc vi nce l tm t l t bls ha a k t h' l i r rd he polci s a t ti t r o e ow e no dut t i m niy Stong el. Se e. ,1 1 / 2 Br i i e , nd ha t he ef r s y o nde f r w l e, g. 2/ 1 1 . n Opp' a 2(k-l r i noras t r r t c our oft undel ngc antt ditt n t sl-he e s e on o equie he ont s he ryi ompli o cae l N a ius s c r oblga i n t oug r s l t o oft tltga i onc f c se r neoust t t utl ' ove age i to hr h e o u i n ha ii ton e a t xta o ha matretbls t tt r i noc rgeunde t a i bl polc ' Thi agumenthowev r te sa ih ha hee s ovea r he pplca e iy. ). s r , e, confa e a i ur r s du y t def wih isdut t i m niy. A ss tf r h a l t s n ns e ' t o end t t y o nde f e o t bove,a i ur r s n ns e ' oblga i t d e a i ur Ã§i b oa rt n isoblga i t pa ' a (a i e whene rt i ton o ef nd n ns ed is r de ha t i ton o y, nd t rs s ' ve he compl nta i tt i ur a lcesf t a cic t nce , omeofwhih,fpr d, ai ga ns he ns ed le ac s nd r umsa s s c i ove woul f l d al wi nters c v rdb t p l y. Br n r 3 7S. 2 a 1 2(mp ssa d d . W h n t h ik o te y he oi ' e ne, 9 E.d t 0 e ha i d e ) hi c ' e s hf t aeal d,tll i urrha t oblgai t dee t i urd ... vengf t uc acs r lege dthe ns e s he i ton o fnd he ns e e il he oblga i n t pa i notuli a e y i i to o y s tm t l nvoke ' V a Elc. Powe Co.475S. 2d264, ( d. ' . e & r , E. 266 Va. - 1 ,seas Fis Te Ba Na'Asoc. StPa Fiea M a i I .Co.501F. x 996) e lo rt nn. nk tl s v. . ul r nd rne ns , . App' 255,261( hCi.201 )((ft e de ei Fis Te see' aci s 4t r 2 ( he vi nc n rt nne s s ton howst tGl lsa tons I ha oba' ci we e ou sde t s ope o Gl alsau hort a cl i a nt St Pa wilha no oblga i n t r t i he c f ob ' t iy s os ng ge , . ul l ve i to o i mniyGl lfrt j me t Theposi lt t tStPa mi no uli tl be nde f oba o he udg n . sbiiy ha . ul ght t tmaey r s i ef t j eponsbl or he udgme ,howe ,ha noefc o StPa ' oblgai t def Glba nt ver s fe t n . uls i ton o end o l agans Fis Ten see' dams.) i t rt ne s s i ' . ' N a ius sar e i a s uns utl ' gum nt s l o uppore by t pl i l ng ge oft polc es w hi h td he a n a ua he i i , c r nf c t c tsconc us on t tt e ghtcor r l e gove ns isa l i ofwhe he ei or es he our ' l i ha he i ne s ' ul r t na ys s t r N a iushasa dut t de end. A ss tf r h a utl yo f e o t bove, hepolc e oblg t N a iust def nd a t i i s i a e utl o e n i s r da ans S n Ã»ut s e igd ma e 'b c u eo k o iyij r 'o C o e t d ma e'o n u e g i t k y s i' e kn a g s' e a s fi dl nu y' r d p ry a g 't a b pr whiht i ur nc a is ( i e a j1! 1a) (mphassa d) Thetr t ui5 i t n, c he ns a e pple . Polcis t , ( ) e i dde . em s t' n ur s ' r fr t i cv l r c e igi whc da g sb c u eo d o i ij r gr ie s n l r p ry' e es o ( ii p o e dn n ih ma e e a s f b dl nu y' o l p ro a p o e t a y . .. t whiht si ur nc a isaeal ed. (d. tjV, 1 )(mphassa ) W henf e o c hi ns a e pple r lec ' 1 a ' ! 8 e i dded . ac d w ih i ntc lors t nta l sm ia l ngua , ursha lm ie t i a ys st t a l ga i t de i a ubs a i ly i l r a ge co t ve i t d he r nal i o he le tons i t unde l ng com pl i . Se e. , pls M ut Cas Co. Ba tl R oof .l , F. n he ryi a nt e, g. Em r . . v. r ie s nc. 618 3d 11 11 ( 0hCi.201 )( di t tt s mepolc lnguag Ã§ e udeglt a si of 53, 72 1 t r 0 hol ng ha he a iy a e i cl d he dmison pr exti i e denc t deemi t s opeof(hei urrs dut t deend' ;Don' Bl Sup y. rnsc vi e o tr ne he c t ns e 'j y o f ' l s dg. pl l v.OneBe c l . , S. . 20,28- ( x. nc. a on ns Co.267 W 3d 29 Te 2008)(ppl ngt eihtc ner r l of a yi he g or s ue Te s i ur nc l w ,a em pha i ng t tt i i y is f . . m pos on t i ur r i dut t xa ns a e a nd s zi ha he t c t el . i pol es he ns e a y o d fn a y s i s e i d ma e frÃ§o iyij r 'o Ã§r p ryd ma e ' o rdb t ep l y e e d n ' ut e kng a g s o b d l n u y r p o e t a g s c vee y h oi , c r r es ofwhehert pli ifi t u ryi s thasalgal me ioro cam' , pp egadl s t he antf n he ndel ng ui e ly rt ius 1i '' ) Kna v. ePr p. cmt Cor ,5 F. 1 2,1 84(t Ci.1 (ooki t t f c nesof Eacl o M . p. 4 3d 27 283- 7h r 995) l ng o he our or r t pl ntf sc pl i t de e m i whet rt i tr rha a dut t de e a e pha i i he ai if om a nt o t r ne he he ns le d y o f nd, nd m s z ng t tirj polcyisl sae t t(hei urr wil' vet ...d yt defnda tui's e ng ha Ã»the i tef tts ha t ns e j l ha he ut o e ny s t e ki g vee da ges'(mphassi orgi l. co rdq ma ' e ) i n i na) l s ,ba e o t e si c s l w a t pl i l ng ge oft polci ,t c ti n um s d n he xi tng a e a nd he a n a ua he i es he our s c nc d t tt de e m i to ofw he herN a iusow e a du y t def nd St ongwel i onvi e ha he t r na i n t utl s t o e r ls gover by t ei cor sr e and,t ,t t coultm us l Ss el 't t l ned he ght ner ul hus hat he ' t ook iol y' o he anguage of t polci and t alegatons oft underyi com pl ntt det m i w het labiiy f any he i es he l i he l ng ai o er ne her i lt or cli t r n i pot taly co e byt polces Ca t Envt.Se vssl . 536 F.Supp. a ms he ei s en i l ver d he ii . piol l r . nc, 2d at640n.1 Acc di y,hec 'a ee wihSto welt tt is i rpef a j c ton 4. or ngl t oul gr s t r ng l ha he sue s i or dudiai t and t ism oton f partaldim i ali notpr a ur hat t i or i s ss s em t e. B. Insuri Cl na ause I or rt de e m i w he he N a iushasa d y t de e Stong el,t c t us n de o t r ne t r utl ut o f nd r w l he our m t de e m i w he he t unde l ng ac i n as e t a c a m st tar pot ntaly co r d by t t r ne t r he ryi t o s r s ny l i ha e e i l ve e he p lce . Asn tda o e tep lce o l a pl t ( o i ij r 'o C r p ryd ma e' a s d o iis o e b v ,h o iis ny p y o d dl nu y' r l o e t a g 'c u e b y p bya ' ure e't ttkesplcei t covea trior d i t polc pe i ( ii a n t rnc 'ha a occ a n he rge ert y urng he iy rod. Polces t j1 ! lb . Th poiisd fn t r p tyd ma e' stp h sc lij r t tn i l p o e t, , ()) e l e ei e t o e a g 'a d j y ia nu y o a g be r p ry c p g i l ngalr uli l sofus oft tpr t ' (d.a jV, 1 ) Thepolce dei a ncudi 1 es tng os e ha opery.' l t ! 7. iis fne n Soc ur e e ' Ã»a a ci nt i l ng co i i c r nc ' as Ã» n c de , nc udi ntnuousorr pe t d e e a e xpos e t s t nta l t s m e ur o ubs a i ly he a ge r lhamf condii . (d. tjV,! 1 ) Alhought polce donotdefnet tr ne a r ul tons' l a ' 3. t he iis i he em Ã§a cde , t SuprmeCour ofVigi aha hedt tSgj tr C c rnce'a d cde ' tc i nt' he e ' t r ni s l ha ithe e ms oc ure nd ac i nt a e d ynonym ous .,. r f rt a i i tt tw a une c ed f om t vi w poi oft r s and e e o n nc den ha s xpe t r he e nt he i ur '' AESCor ,725 S. 2da 536( i Utc M utl ,Co.v.Trvelr l m.Co. ns ed.' p. E. t quotng ia .ns a e s nde , 286S. 2d225,226( .1 ) E. Va 982). I Count1ofisam ended com pl nt N autl asser st t e w asno Soccur ence' gi ng n t ai , ius t hat her k r ' vi rs t cove ag unde t polc es be aus t unde l ng ac i fl d by Bl c & V e c S l s ie o r e r he i i , c e he r yi ton ie ak at h i ege al . . . f uly wort a hi on t pa4 of- a ora de e tve pr a t lm ns p he 1 nd/ fci oduc s i by - St o w e l' t uppled r ng l.' ( uiusAm.Compla 9. Na iuscai t tdee tvewor doe no c tt ea Na tl . t ) utl l ms ha fci k s t onsiut n 'occur ence' undert t m soft polcy orapplcabl l . t r ' he er he i i e aw A lhough t Supr e Cour ofV igi a hasnotbeen pr ent w ih t s i t he em t r ni es ed t hi ssue,f al eder court appl ng Vi ni 1 have cons dered w het dam age caused by a s s yi rgi a aw i her ubcont or' ract s de e tve w or c tt esan Ã» c r nc ' u r a c m e c alge r lla lt polc The e fci k ons iut l ur e e ' nde om r i ne a i biiy i y. oc s cours have drawn a di i i bet t stncton ween a cl m f t costofr rng t subcontador' own ai or he epaii he r s de e tve w or a a c ai f r paii da a t non- f tve pr pe t r s tng f om t fci k nd l m or e rng m ge o de ec i o ry e uli r he s ubco r c o s f uly wor ans p. nt a t r' a t km hi i he an i ur d de e tvel pe f k n W ns e f c i y r onnsa c r c a t def c i pe f m a e onl ont a t nd he e tve r or nc y da ac t i ur d' w or o pr m es he ns e s k r oduc , he r uli con r c ua la lt i e t t es tng t a t l i biiy s xpec e f pur e t d or pos s ofa c m m e c a ge r lla lt i ur nc polc a t r f r e l d f om co r ge. H o e o r i l ne a i biiy ns a e i y nd he e o e xc ude r ve a ' ' tl Roa keConfrnc Ct.Co nv. ncnnaiI . ,303F.Supp.2d784,789( . Va. no ee e r mm' Ci i t ns Co. W D. 200 (mpha i adde . Therto l be ndt sr l i t tac 4) e ss d) ainae hi hi ue s ha ommeca la lt polc i not rilibiiy iy s a pe f m a e bond a i no i e d t i ur t s ontac or s pe f m a e o a c r t r or nc nd s t nt nde o ns e he ubc r t ' r or nc f ontac . J.a 788- Ont ohe ha i as onrcorsfulyworma hi r ulsi da -s t 89. l he t r nd,f ubc ta t ' a t k ns p es t n maget o pr ry o he t n t s nta t ' wor pr duc,t r ma be a Ã§ cure e'ti rng ope t t r ha he ubco r c ors k o t he e y ns oc r nc ' rgge i co r geundert polc Se St nl y M a tn Cos.I .v,Ohi Ca .Gm .31 F.App' 6 ve a he iy. e a e ri . nc o s , 3 x 09, 61 ( h Ci. 4 4t r 2009)( di t tt c ta t ' o i tont rplc dee tvetusesd not hol ng ha he onrcors blgai o e a e fci r s i was une c ed orunf r s e unde t t r sofisbuidi c r c sf t t nhous s 'butt t xpe t oeen r he e m t l ng ont a t or he ow e, ' ha t da a whi h s e be nd t tus e t non- f c i pa t oft t w nhous s C a an he m ge c pr ad yo he r s s o de e tve r s he o e i s w uni e da i nt ora oc ure et tti rdc r ge' rt polc ;Dr sM cmt ntnde ccde , n c rnc ha rggee ove a 'unde he iy) aga . Cop. Hanove I . ,798F. p. 758, ( D. 2011 (ppl ngStnlyMa tna v. r ns Co. Sup 2d 763 E. Va. ) a yi a e ri nd hol ng t tt r pl c m e ofde e tve d yw a lw asnota oc ur e e unde t polc bu t t di ha he e a e nt fci r l n c r nc r he i y, t ha t ny r pa rorr pl c m e ofno def c i c po t o t hom es ... pe s s a e i e a e nt n- e tve om nen s f he or r onalp o ry of r pe t t home he ownesc tt eda oc ure e'. r onsiut n c rnc ' ) l t s case,t dmnages s n hi he oughti t under yi acton a notlm ied t t cos s of n he l ng i ze i t o he t r rng orr aci St ongw el' pur t y def i w ork product l t t am ended epaii epl ng r l s poredl ectve . ns ead, he c ompl i a lges a las i pa tt tSto ant le , t e t n r, ha r ngwelpr vi d ade e tvepr tt tc us d l o de f c i oduc ha a e phys c lda age t ot rpr ry, hi Bl c & Vea c w a r quied t r pa r Fori t nc ia m o he ope t w ch a k th s e r o e i. ns a e, t a nded c he me ompli a lge t tStongwe lsde e tvewor r s t d i i d pr d physc ant le s ha r l' f c i k e ule n s es ea wi ial da a t t Ca di l1 a Ca di l2 J ';ha S e vedec ...c d notber pl c d m ge o he r na nd r na BRs't t i di def ks oul e av w ihoute e i da a t ot rpr pe t ' a t tBl ck & V e t h C r d t r i a t xt nsve m ge o he o ry'; nd ha a a c i ee o epa r nd ag r pl c t m ae iland wo k ofStongwela t r pai a r pl c a1oft physca da a e a e he tra r r l nd o e r nd e a e 1 he i l m ge c u e byt emae il n wo ko Sto g lo t eJ P oe t. ( a k& Ve thAm. a sd h tra a d r f r n wel n h BR rj cs' Blc ' ac Compla ! 61 69. .t! , ) Ba e on t f e ng, he c tc l s t tt a l ga i i Bl k & V e t h' sd he or goi t our onc ude ha he le tons n ac ac s a e d c pl nta e s fce t s m nde om ai r ufi int o uppol t pos i lt ofa i c r nc ' u rt polcis ' he sbiiy n d ure e' nde he i e , t oc t r by gi ngrs t pot nta c r . Acc r ngl CountImus bedimi s d t t e e he e vi ie o e i l ove age o di y, t s s e o he xt nt t ti c a m s t tt abs e ofa ' c r nce ' ele sN a ius ofisoblga i t de end ha t l i ha he enc n t ur e ' r i ve utl oc t i ton o f Sto wel. Se Pake v. rf dFiel . , S. 2d803,8 ( 1 )(d ywheni rng l e r r Ha tor r ns Co.278 E. 04 Va. 981 i onl t a p a sce ryrh i u e)wo dn t el bl u d risc nr c fra yj d me t s du o t e p e r lal te ns rr ul o b i e n e t o ta t o n u g n bae p n h a algai ,d st c le tons oe he ompa ha nodut t dee ' ( ny ve y o fnd.) empha i i orgi l (ne ctton ' ss n i na) itmal iai a quottonmakso te . nd ai r mitd) l Count1 ofisco pli t Na tl ca mst tt ewa no k o ry da ge'a n 1 t m a n , u ius li ha her s k pe t ma ' s pr de i d i t polc e . A s s tf ' a fne n he i i s e olh bove, e r Bl c & V ea c s ii ly a l ge t t t how ve , a k t h pec fca l le s ha St o e ls de ec i w o k r ule i i de pr d phys c lda age t t Ca di lIa r ngw l ' f tve r es t d n i s ea wi ia m o he r na nd Ca di l1 J , a t tBl ck & Vea c w a r quie t k epa r a r pl ce a 1oft phys c r na 1 BRs ' nd ha a ' t h s e r d o t i nd e a l he r i al da ge'r s tngfom Stong lsdeeci wor ( a k& Ve thAm. ma ' euli r r wel' f tve k. Blc ac Compla ! 61 69. .t ! , ) I lghtoft e alegatons,t courtconcl n i hes l i he udest t under yi com pl ntalegesf sw hi hat he l ng ai l act ch mee t polces defnii ofi ope t dmuag ' sdl hysc lij yt tngbl pr ry, t he ii ' i ton s ry pr e'a tpl ia nur o a i e opet icu igal e utn l s o u eo t a p o e t. ( o iisa jV, 1 ) Ac o dn l , u t n ldn 1r s lig o s f s f h t r p ry' P lce t ! 7. c r ig y Co n ' 1 m us a s be di m i s t t e e i s eksa dec a a i t ta a e e ofS ope t da a ' 1 t lo s s ed o he xt nt t e l r ton ha n bs nc Ã§ pr ry m ge' r i elevesN autl ofisdut t def ius t y o end. I CountI 1ofis a e n l t m nded c pl nt N a ius s ksa de l r ton t tno pr l y om ai , utl ee c a a i ha ope ' t da geocc rd( urngt polc pe i ' srquiedt rt polce . ( ii a j1 ! ma ure d i he iy rod'a e r mde he iis3 Polces t , d lb)2)) Tos ppo tt scli Na iuse (( . u r hi am, utl mpha iest tBlc & Ve th' a sz ha a k ac s mende c ant d ompli r f r nc 2005 t 2007 a t tm e pe i durng whi h i e e ed i o agr e e s w ih A EP t e e e es o s he i r od i c t nt r nt e m nt t o p ro m e gn e ig p o u e n , ndc n tu to wo kf r h J p o e t. Na tl sas ef r n ie rn , r c rme ta o sr ci n r o t e BR rj cs u iu lo not t tt a e d compl i tr f r nc M a 2006 t ough D e e be 1 2006 ast tm e es ha he m nde a n e e e es y hr c m r 9, he i p ro d rn whih Sr n wel rae a dp o ie v rfe d a n sfrt eJ p oe t. eid u ig c to g l ce td n r v d d e iid rwig o h BR rj cs H a ng r vi w e Bl k & V e t h' a e d c pl i and t a i bl polc vi e e d ac a c s m nde om a nt he pplca e i y l ng a uage t c t , he our conc udest tCount1 lm us alo be dim i s d t t e e ti s ks a l ha l t s s s e o he xt n t ee de a a i t tN a iusow e no dut t de e St ongw e l A s Stongw e le pha i esi is cl r ton ha utl s y o f nd r l. r l m sz n t i t a r pl bre , t rt da e ofBl c & V ea c sc r c sw ih A EP,nort da eson nii l e y i f neihe he t s ak t h' ont a t t he t whih Sr n wel r vd dp o e t r wi g ,sd s o iv o t i p riua is e I ta ,h c to g l p o ie rj c d a n s i ip st e f h s a t lr su . nse d te i c pr rf us oft c tsi r i on w he t pr pe t da a occ r d. He e Bl k & ope oc he our ' nquiy s n he o r y m ge ur e r , ac Veac sa ndedc ai alge t tt Cadi 1J e re e f outge Ã§gjom th' me ompl nt le s ha he r nal BR xpeinc d our a s tfr N ove be 2008 t oug Se e be 2009 5i or rS o r pa rphys c da a r uli f om m r hr h pt m r ' n de k e i t i al m ges es tng r dei e i sdic r i t J 'a t tt Ca di 2 J e re e isx o a tcinc e s ove ed n he BRS' nd ha he r nal BR xpe inc d ii ut ges be w e n D e m ber2008 a Aug t20 f ofwhi h w e e uns he e t r pa rphys ca t e ce nd us 09, our c r c dul d, o e i i l da ge r uli fom defce i dic r di t J .' ( ac & Ve thAm.Compl a ma s es tng r iinces sove e n he BRs' Bl k ac .t 59, . Suc algai aes fce t s 60) h le tons r ufiinto upport posi lt t tt physc da et t e the sbiiy ha he ial mag o hes 3 Ass f t above, t polci c et orh he i es overt perods ofDecembe 3l 2007 t December3l 2008,and he i r , o , Decembe 31 2008 t Decem ber3l 2009. r , o , unis ora las apori ofi, c r d durngt c r gepe i ofoneorbot oft po i e a t, te t ton t oc ure i he ove a rod h he lcis t is s ue. Co eque l Cou 1 Ioft a e d c pl i a s f is t pr de a va i ba i upon ns nty, nt l he m nde om a nt l o a l o ovi ld s s whi h t c tc d dec a e t tN au iushasno du y t de end St ongw e l c he our oul l r ha tl t o f r l. C. Polcv Excl ons i usi l addii t ass i t t t alega i i t underyi acton do notf lw ihi n ton o ertng hat hat he l tons n he l ng i al t n co r ge pr s onsoft polc es i urng c a e, a iusal o cl i st tt f l i polc ve a ovi i he i i ' ns i l us N utl s a m ha he olow ng i y e l i r le N a iusofisdut t de e St ongwel: he D a a t YourW o k a xc us ons e i ve utl t y o f nd r lt m ge o r nd Da get YourPr tExcusons( ma o oduc l i Count1 ;heDa V) t maget l ie Pr ryorPr t o mpard ope t opery No Ph sc lylj r dEx lso ( u tV) teRe al fPr d cs W ok o l ie P o e t t y ial nu e cu in Co n ;h c lo o u t, r r mpar d r p ry Excuson( l i CountV1;t Conta ua LibiiyExcuson ( ) he rct l a lt l i CountVl) t Expe tdorItnde 1;he ce ne d Ij yExcl i ( ntVI1; ndt Pr esi LibiiyExcl i ( t1 . Fo Na ius nur uson Cou 1) a he of sonal a lt uson Coun X) r utl t be r le d ofis d y t def t alega i i t underyi ac i n m us cl a l a o e i ve t ut o end, he l tons n he l ng to t e r y nd una bi m guous y e t bls t tone orm or oft e us onsa y t ba cove ag f t cl i s l s a i h ha e he xcl i ppl o r r e or he a m a s tdbyBlc & Ve th. SeeFuiz, F. a 245(kW j r bot c r a e ude a t sere ak ac s 61 3d t Cg hee h oveed nd xcl d cs aealege t d yt dee atc . Fl v. t r Nec I .Co.427S. 2d 1 1 r l d,he ut o fnd ta hes' ovd Norhen k ns , ); E. 93, 96 ( 1 Ci-j beefci t e usonayl uagemus ce rya una guousybrng Va. 993) g-o fe tve,he xcl i r ang l t lal nd mbi l i t pariulra toromisonwihi issope.'. he tc a c si t n t c ' ) W ih t e e i oft Co r c ua Li biiy Exc us on c t d i Cou Vl and t t he xc pton he nt a t l a lt l i ie n nt I he Pr essonalLi lt Excl on cied i CountI ,N autl hasconceded,i r ponse t of i abiiy usi t n X ius n es o St ongwel' m otons t ti c nnotesabls t a i biiy oft r m a ni exc usonsw ihout r ls i , ha t a t i h he pplca lt he e i ng l i t r s tngt e rnsce d e. ( uiusI talBr i Opp' a 1 n.1 ) Fort ras st e ori o xti i vienc Na tl nii .n n t 7, 0. he e ons e f ta or h bove t c t a no consde e rns c e de e i de e m i ng w he he N a iusowe a , he our m y t i r xt i i vi nc n t r ni t r utl s dut t de e y o f nd. I t ad,t e ghtco ne sr e r quiest c t o ( om pa e t f c ne sof ns e he i r r ul e r he our t t c r he our or r t i ur nc polcy a i tt f c ne soft unde l ng c pl ntt det r i i a he ns a e i ga ns he our or r he r yi om ai o e m ne f ny a l a i nsm ay po e i ly be co r d by t polc ' CA CII e n. l ,566 F. a 1 4,s leg t o t nta l ve e he i y.' nt r , nc. 3d t 5 . ee aloSolrsI .v.Ha tor Cas l .Co. l F.Supp. 78 791( D. .2001 ('A1 s es nc rf d . ns , 46 2d 5, E. Va ) kg n i urrsdut t dee i d tr ne s eybyt cai a s tdi t pladi .) ns e ' y o fnd s eemi d oll he l ms sere n he e ngs'. ' Ac or ngl Count l V, ,a V1laes jc t dimis lt t extntNa iuscai t t e di y, s V, Vl nd 1 r ube t o s sa o he e utl l ms ha t e us ons c t d t r i r le N a iusofisdut t de e he xcl i ie he e n e i ve utl t y o f nd. The c tw ilpr e d t our l oc e o cons dert r ai ng excl i i he em ni usons. 1. Cont ualLi lt Excl on ract abiiy usi l CountV I oft a e d c pl i , a ius c ai st tc r ge i pr l n 1 he m nde om a nt N utl l m ha ove a s ec uded unde r t Contac ua Li lt Exc us on. The r l va por i oft Cont a t lLi biiy Exc us o he r t l abiiy l i e e nt ton he r c ua a lt l in pr de t tt polc e do no pr de c r ge f : ovi s ha he i i s t ovi ove a or iBodiyij y'ort ope t da e'f whiht i urdi oblgae t pa d l n ur ' t ry mag 'or c he ns e s i td o y pr da a by r as oft a s pton ofla lt i a conta ora e m e . Thi m ges e on he s um i i biiy n r ct gr e nt s e l i doesnota yt la lt f da ge :( )Tha t i ur woul ha xcuson ppl o ibiiy or ma s l t he ns ed d ve i t abs n he ence oft cont actoragr ent he r eem . ( ii a j1!2( . Polces t , b)) U pon r vi w oft c a m sas e t i Bl k & V ea c sa e d c pl nt t c t e e he l i s red n ac t h' m nde om ai , he our co udest tt Contacua Libiiy Excuson doesnotr iveN a tl ofisdut t def nd ncl ha he r t l a lt l i ele u ius t y o e Stongw e l The a e d c pl i doesno a l ge t tStongw el ha a c r c w ih Bl c r l. m nde om a nt t le ha r l d ny ont a t t a k & Ve t h,ort tStongwe lo he wiea e d t as u ela lt f any da ac ha r l t r s gr e o s m ibiiy or mage s s oughtby Blck & Ve t h. I t ad, hec am sf pr ry d geagans Stongwe li udet tcai a a c nse t l i or ope t ama i t r l ncl or l ms a s a ut y c us ofa i f t aleg br c ofoblga i i pos by l w , a he t n by nd t t or a es cton or he l ed ea h i tons m ed a r t r ha cont act Fort e r r . hes easons,t courtagreesw ih Stongw el t t Contact Li biiy he t r l hat he r ual a lt Excl on doesnotcl l and unam bi usi eary guousl encom pas t cl m sassert i Bl & V eat s y s he ai ed n ack ch' am ended com pl ntand,t t t excl i doesnotr i N autl ofis dut t def ai hus, hat he us on eleve ius t y o end 15 Stongwe l Acc di y,Sto we lspa talmoton t dimismus begr n e wih r s tt r l. or ngl r ng l' ri i o s s t a t d t e pec o CountV I 1. 2. Prof onalLi lw Excl on essi abii usi l CountI ofis a ende c pl i , a ius c ai st ti ow esno dut t de e n X t m d om a nt N utl l m ha t y o f nd Sto r ngwe li t t ryi a ton be us Blc & Veac scli sa eba r d byt l n he mde l ng c i ca e a k th' am r r e he Pr e s ona Li biiy Exel i e a ne i a e of s i l a lt us on ont i d n n ndor em e t t polc es The Pr e s o l s nt o he i i . of s i na Li biiy Excl i pr desi r e ntpa tasf l w s: a lt us on ovi n el va r olo g hi polc s lnota yt la lt aii ou oft r rngofo f iur t ' s iy hal ppl o ibiiy rsng t he endei rl r al e o r ende pr e s ona s r c ,ora e r o om i son, a pr tce orm i t ke ofa r of s i l e vi es ny r or r s i m l ac i sa pr es i na ur c mit d by oron be l ofNa of sonal t e om te ha f med I ur d i t c ns e n he onduc of t any oft l ur sbusi he ns ed' ness actvii i tes. ( of sonalLi lt ExcusonEndore nt) Pr esi abiiy l i s me . Alhoug t polcesdo notde i t t r C of sona ,'hi tr i c m m o yus d i t h he i i fne he e m k es i l't s e m s o pr nl e n i tr nce polc es a t ,m a c t haveha t o nsla i i nd, hus ny our s d he ppor u t t c i risapplca i t niy o ons de t i ton. Bohr rv. i l .Gr 475F.Supp. 578,585( D. 2007) Nu r c t, ee Ere ns oup, 2d E. Va. . meous ours i udi t U nied St t sD i t i tCour f t Ea t r D i ti ofV igi a, ve a i d t ncl ng he t a e sr c t or he s e n srct r ni ha pple he defnii oft of s i l' e vi ss tf t i M ar v. rf dAc & l m .Co. 1 N . . i ton d e sona's r ce e orh n pr x Ha tor c. nde , 57 W 2d 87 ( b.1 ) SeeStPa Fie& Mai I .Co. J cobs 8 F.Su 1 1 2 ( D. 0 Ne 968 . . ul r rne ns v. a on, 26 pp. 55, 6 E. Va.1 ( i t tt Max dei tonÃ§ sbe nwi l a eda us dbyc t i 993) notng ha he r fnii i ha e dey dopt nd e ours n deemi ngt s opeofc rgeofpr e so la lt polces';sealoZurc Am.l . tr ni he c ovea of sinalibiiy ii 'l e s ih ns Co. v. Har Reg' Ct.orRe b.5 F. 91 924( 0hCi. O' a l r f ha , 29 3d 6, 1 t r 2008)(i'edei ton of Ã»f -h fnii pr es i ls r c m os fe nty r led on by c ' wastr ts tf t i M a x v, rf r of sona e vies t r que l ei ouls t i s e orh n r Ha to d Ac i nt& I mniyCo.....) cde nde t ' ' l defni t t m lpr essonal' asus i t labiiy polcy bef i,t M ar Court n i ng he er t of i ,' ed n he i lt i ore t he x hel as f l s: d olow Som e hi m or t n a ac f o i f om m e e e pl entorvoc ton i t ng e ha n t l w ng r r m oym ai s es e i l The a tors r c m us be s h a e c st us ora i a i of s nta . c e vi e t uc s xa t he e pplc ton speci l ni or atai ent ofs e ki al ear ng t nm s om nd. The t m tpr es onal'i t er d of si ' n he c e us d i t polc pr s on m e ns s e hi m or t n m e e pr i i nc ont xt e n he i y ovi i a om t ng e ha r of c e y i t pe f n he r onua e ofa t s a i ple i ele t ls l asc r s e w ih t t nc a k nd m i s nt l c ua kil ont a t d t ha us d i a oc upa i n f pr uc i ors e ofc m odii . A t of sona ' a t e n n c t o or od ton al om tes k es i l' c pr orservi i one arsi outofa vocaton,cali occupaton,orem pl ent ce s i ng i lng, i oym i vi s c a i e kno l ge,l bor ors l, t l borors l i ve i nvol ng pe i lz d w ed a , kil and he a kil nvol d s pr dom i nty m en a o i ele t l r t rt n ph i a orm a . l e na l t l r nt l c ua , a he ha ys c l nual n de e m i ng whehe apa tc a a ti o apr f sonalnaur orak of s o l t r ni t r riulr c s f o es i t e d es i na pr s r ce ' e m us l nott t tte o c r c e oft pa t pe f r i t a t e vi ' w t ook o he il r ha a t r he ry r o m ng he c , butt t actisel . o he t f M a x,l N. . a 871 72. r 57 W 2d t A ppl ng t s de i to t c ti una e t co ude t tt Pr e s o lLi biiy yi hi fnii n, he our s bl o ncl ha he of s i na a lt Excuson r le sNa iusfom ha ngt de e Stong l i t unde l ng a ton. W hiet l i e ive utl r vi o f nd r we l n he ryi c i l he e l i n m a ba c xc us o y r over ge f s e oft unde l ng cl i s whi h a e bas o e ne i a or om he ryi am , c r ed n ngi erng a de i w o k pe f r e by Stongw e la t ,i plc t t e r s ofs i i d nd s gn r r o m d r l nd, hus m i a e he xe cie pec alze know l dge o i elec uals l,Bl c & V e t h' a e d c pl i a s i l e r nt l t kil a k a c s m nde om a nt l o nc udesa l ga i le tons w hi h Ã» a i y m i ...f l o s de t e l i ' t r by t i rng Stongw e ls d y t c k usbl ght pl a l ut i he xc us on,' he e r gge i r l ' ut o de end. Bohr r 475 F.Supp. a 586. f ee , 2d t Fo i t nce i CountV ofis a e d co pl i ,Bl c & V e t h cl i st ta r ns a , n t m nde m a nt a k a c a m ha m a a t i de e ti t Com pos iepane s s i d by St ongw e lc us d Bl c & V e t h t nuf c ur ng f c n he olt l upple r l a e ak ac o i ncurs t nta da a . l pa tc a , a k & V e t h a l ge t tda a t t J Sw a t ubs a i l m ges n r i ul r Bl c a c le s ha m ge o he BR s he r s tofa c ton c led ' y t , a de e tt ta os be a e ofa e r i t m a ac urng e ul ondii a l t ow ' dr ' f c ha r e c us n r or n he nuf t i pr es ,a t tt s de e twasa die ta pr m a e ca e ofda ag t pr r y ot rt n oc s nd ha hi f c r c nd oxi t us m e o ope t he ha St ongw el' ow n pr r ls oduct s: 126. Si fcantpori ofs r ur l cr alar oft Com posolt panel gnii tons t uct aly uci eas he ie s s i by Stong l f t J Prj cshadana rntma a t i dee t uppled r wel or he BR oe t ppae nuf curng fc known astdry t ' - dr fberbundl ext i t t cor i resit vei and t ow ' y i es er or o he ros on- s ant l m atl sr ng i t l h ofa Com pos ie paneli t km achi diecton' ayer unni n he engt olt n he c ne r i ' (. ,i t s mediecin a t gl sr ngsi Co ie. n he g r to s he as ovi n mpos iea t pr ti olt s he oduc s 17 pule t ought mac nedi) Thea aanc ofaE yt 'ndiae t t ld hr he hi e. ppe r e k ow'i c ts ha dr gl sr ng sr ndspule t ough St ongwel' m a hi di w e e notf ly a as ovi t a l d hr r ls c ne e r u l nd pr r y s t a e wih r i ope l a ur t d t esn. 1 28. Thee se ofad y t ' i nii a l wea nst sr ng h of xit nce s ow's g fc nty dr ke he te t Com pos ie, ri ul ry i t t a ve s di e ton,whi h i a r a ve y we olt pa tc a l n he r ns r e r c i c s l e dy r ak eve i c r c l m a a t e by S r n f or e ty nuf c ur d t ongw e l l. 1 30. The w ea ne sofCom pos ie i t ta ve s diec i n i a s gnii a k s olt n he r ns r e r to s i f c nt fcori t fiursofCompos iet tha be nobsr edi t J Prj t a t n he al e olt ha ve e e v n he BR oecs a w asa pr xi a e c us oft phys c ldn a t Com pos ie a ot r nd o m t a e he i a m ge o olt nd he t ngi e pr pe'y t tBl c & V e t h w a r q r d t r pa ra orr pl c a a bl o l ha a k t ac s e uie o e i nd/ e a e t subs antalexpense. t i ( a k& Veac Am.Co . t!! 1 - 31 . Blc th mpla 28 1 ) Bec us t c ai as e t d i CountV ofBl c & V e t h' a e d c pl ntaleg a a e he l m s r e n ak a c s m nde om ai l es pur t m a ac urng f iur t ti s m i y u o c ed t t exe ci e ofa s c a i e pored nuf t i a l e ha s ee ngl nc nne t o he r s ny pe i lz d knowldge ori elecuals l, hec ' a r e wih Stong lt tt scli doesno c e ry e nt l t kil t oul g e s t r wel ha hi a m t t lal a unam bi nd guous y f l w ihi t s ope oft Pr es i lLi biiy Exc us o Se e. , l a l t n he c he of s ona a lt l i n. e, :. Trns tsFer osdeVe z a1 CA v. a pore re ne uel 1 NKK Cor , F. 555,56 (d Ci. )(Ã§-q p.239 3d 4 3 r2001 Ã§glhe e uson f pr e sona s r c si ...a o it l asocit d wih a s i i dkno e xcl i or of s i l e vi e s ppr pra ey s a e t pecalze wl dge a a m e a ori e l c ua e a ,no pr nd nt l nt le t l nde vor t odudi m a a t e ors y ofgoods a on, nuf c ur uppl nd ma a t i nuf c ur ng. A s s uch,t e l i f pr e s o ls r c pr l he xc us on or of s i na e vi es ec udescove a onl i t r ge y f he da geaie o ofafulyde i .. , so e t fulyma a t e.)(ntr lciai a ma rss ut a t sgn . a pposd o a t nufcur ' i ena tton nd ' quottonmaksomitd) Ac di y,hePr esi lLibiiyExcusondoe notrle ai r te . cor ngl t of sona a lt li s eive Nautl ofisdut t def nd Stongwe l snc Blc & Veac sa e d c pl ntt a i y ius t y o e r l, i e a k th' m nde om ai t usbl pl m i coversom e s off st f lout de oft excl on.'Bohr 475 F.Supp,2d a 586; ght et act hat al si he usi ' eer, t s as Fuiz,61F. a 2 (sfac anthowe ra guous ma bera asprmii ee lo s 3d t 42 tl ompli , ve mbi , y ed e sng 18 la lt on at nai gr ibiiy ler tve ounds and et g ound sae la lt po e i l ora g y c r d , iher r tt s i biiy t ntaly r uabl ove e byt polc t i ur di e il t adee e.) he iy,he ns e s ntted o fns ' . ' Fort r s di cus e a he ea ons s s d bove, he c tc nc udest tBl k & V e t h' a e d t our o l ha ac a c s m nde c pl i i udesa l a i whi h c e e a pos i lt ofc om a nt ncl leg tons c r at s biiy over ge unde t polc es i urng a r he i i ' ns i cl us ,a w hi h do notc e ry and unnm bi a e nd c lal guous y f l wihi t s o oft e us ons c t l a l t n he c pe he xcl i ied by N a ius. The e or t aleg tons a e s fc e t t i ra d y t def St ongwel, nd utl r f e, he l a i r uf i i nt o rgge ut o end r la Na ius' a nd c utl s me ed ompl i m us bedimis d i of ra i s e a de l r ton t t c r r ant t s s e ns a s t e ks c a a i o he ontay. II. M oton t St i o av Stong l ha a s move t sa a pr e ngsr a e t t que ton ofwhe he r we l s lo d o t y ny oc edi elt d o he si t r Na iusowe adu y t i mniy Stongwel untlt und ryi a ton hasbee r s ve Fo utl s t o nde f r l i he e l ng c i n e ol d. r t f l w i r s , he m o i w ilbe g a t i pa ta de e i par . he olo ng ea ons t ton l r n ed n r nd ni d n t Thed yt i ut o ndemniy d ef r t a i ur rsr s i lt t pa am o tr awa dwhe f t e s o n ns e ' e ponsbiiy o y r nea y r n is i ur d ha be om e la e f t c r c a m . Na i i M ut I . v. ve l t ns e s c i bl or he ove ed l i ' ' tonw de . ns Co. O rook. LLC, 8 F. u p 2 5 2 51 ( D. . 01 )(n en l i to o te ) Uni eted t t 7 5 S p . d 0 , 3 E. Va 2 1 itr a ct in mi d . lk h u y o a t de end, c ii ba ed on t a l ga i i t unde l ng c pl i , hedut t i m niy r les f whi h Ã§s s he le tons n he r yi om a nt t y o nde f e i on ltga e f t ' CA CIl '.l . 566 F. a 1 ii t d ac s. ' nt l nc , 3d t 55. A c or ngl c t ha ge r l hel c di y, our s ve ne aly d t ti woul be i e a ur ' o r e o t pl i i f sdu y t i m ni y w hie t unde l ng ha t d k m t e' t ul n he a ntf pr t o nde f l he ryi a tonrmanspe ng. Pe Ameial .Co.v.Ma 461F.Supp. 442, ( D. . ci e i ndi nn- rc ns pp, 2d 458 E. Va 2006) s ealoFis Te Ba Na 'Asoc,501F. xa 261- ( di t tt ditit ; e s rt nn. nk tl s . App' t 62 hol ng ha he src c tsr i on t i mni c ton is waspr t e, nd t tt is woul berpef our' ulng he nde t a i s ue i emaur a ha he s ue d i or rco i r tonbyt dititc r upont rs utonoft unde l ngaci ;Ant m Cas e nsde ai he src ou t he e ol i he ryi ton) he . l . oupAfimai l . v.Robe t,49Va.Ci.1 1 ( ns Gr fr tve ns Co. rs r 54, 55 RoanokeCiyCi. .1 t r Ct 999) 19 ( di t tadecsonr r ngt i urrsoblgai t i mniyt i ur df aj hol ng ha ii egadi he ns e ' i ton o nde f he ns e or udgme nt a ii ou ofape ngpe s lij yc ewoul bepr t e . rsng t ndi rona nur as d emaur ) A tt pr he esenttm e,t courtfndsno per uasve basi t departf om t gener r e i he i s i so r he al ul outi a lned bove U nl s t r i a i r na e de ay i t pr e ngspe ng i t W ese n . e s he e s n no di t l n he oce di ndi n he tr D i ti tofM i s ur ,t cour w ilr f a n f om r i on t i em nii a i i s t tlt src s o i he t l er i ' r ulng he nd f c ton s ue m i he unde l ng a ton i r ol d. I t m ea i e t co ' wilper i N a iust pr pound ryi c i s es ve n he ntm , he ul l m t ut l o o t r ques sf pr e t or oduc i ofdoc e s on St ong e l How e r a 1ot rdi co r a i a e t ton um nt r w l. ve , 1 he s ve y pplc bl o t i m nii to i s w ilbe saye pe ng t r s u i oft unde l ng a ton. he nde tca i n s ue l t d ndi he e ol ton he r yi c i C oncl on usi Fort r a ons sat d, r he e s t e St ongw e l sm oto f pa ta di m i s loft a ende c pl i l' i n or r i l s s a he m d om a nt w ilbe gr nt a isr w e m oton t s a pr ee ngsw ilbe g a e i pa ta de ed i l a ed, nd t ene d i o t y oc di l r nt d n r nd ni n pa t The Cl r i die t d t s nd c tf e c esoft sm e or ndum opi on and t r. e k s r c e o e erii d opi hi m a ni he a com pa ng o de t al cou e ofr c d. c nyi r r o l ns l e or , N o . EN TER :Thi '-- day ofJune, 201 s -f 3. G t ' wd , wc Chi Unied St es Di t i J ef t at s rct udge 20

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