Corriveau v. State Farm Mutual Insurance Co.
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The Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the circuit court dismissing Joseph Corriveau's declaratory judgment action where Corriveau requested a determination that the uninsured motorist provision in his mother Tracey Ballagh's automobile insurance policy issued by State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company provided coverage for his injuries arising from an assault that took place on his school bus, holding that no
nexus existed between Corriveau’s injuries and the use of the school bus as a means of transportation.
Corriveau, a special needs child, was abused while riding a school bus. The insurance policy in this case contained an uninsured motorist provision covering an insured's damages for bodily injuries that "arise out of the ownership, maintenance, or use" of the uninsured motor vehicle. The circuit court granted summary judgment for State Farm, finding that there was no causal connection between Corriveau's injuries and the use of the school bus as a vehicle used to transport children to school. The Supreme Court affirmed, holding that no causal connection existed between the assault and the employment of the school bus as a school bus.