Bruggeman v. Maryland Casualty Co., 5426.

• Court: U.S. Court of Appeals — Third Circuit
• Writing for the Court: DAVIS, Circuit , and CLARK and JOHNSON
• Citation: Bruggeman v. Maryland Casualty Co., 73 F.2d 587 (3rd Cir. 1934)
• Decision Date: 03 October 1934
• Docket Number: No. 5426.,5426.
• Parties: BRUGGEMAN v. MARYLAND CASUALTY CO.

73 F.2d 587 (1934)

BRUGGEMAN v. MARYLAND CASUALTY CO.

No. 5426.

Circuit Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.

October 3, 1934.

Charles G. Notari and Marshall, Braun & Notari, all of Pittsburgh, Pa., for appellant.

R. A. Applegate and Rose & Eichenauer, all of Pittsburgh, Pa., for appellee.

Before DAVIS, Circuit Judge, and CLARK and JOHNSON, District Judges.

DAVIS, Circuit Judge.

This is an appeal from a judgment of the District Court in an action of assumpsit on a policy of automobile liability insurance issued by the Maryland Casualty Company, the appellee, to the Pittsburgh City Garden Company.

Edward F. Bruggeman, the appellant, who was insured under the policy in suit, was injured in an accident while riding as a passenger in the automobile, which was owned by the Garden Company, and was driven by its manager and active head. The appellee was notified and began an investigation of the circumstances of the accident.

The appellee discovered that the appellant was an employee of the Garden Company and that at the time of the accident he was engaged in a business trip in the course of his employment and was subject to the workmen's compensation laws of Pennsylvania. Both the appellant and the manager of the Garden Company signed statements to that effect. The Garden Company did not have workmen's compensation insurance.

The policy of insurance provided: "This policy does not cover: (1) Any obligation assumed by or imposed upon the assured by any Workmen's Compensation law, agreement or plan, unless specifically endorsed hereon."

The Garden Company pressed the claim against the appellee and insisted that it pay the appellant the sum of $5,000, the face value of the policy.

The appellant brought a suit in trespass against the Garden Company to recover a judgment for his injuries. The Garden Company notified the appellee of this suit. The appellee offered to defend the suit under the terms of the policy. The Garden Company refused to swear to the averments of the affidavit of defense in which it was set out that the plaintiff herein, Bruggeman, was an employee injured in the course of his regular duties and within the Workmen's Compensation Act of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (77 PS § 1 et seq.) and refused in every way to co-operate with the appellee in the preparation of the defense.

The policy of insurance contained the following provision:

"Subject, Nevertheless, to the following conditions: * * *

"Whenever requested by the Company the assured shall aid in securing information, evidence and the attendance of witnesses; and shall at all times render to the Company all reasonable co-operation and assistance."

The suit of Bruggeman, the appellant here, against the Garden Company went undefended and resulted in a verdict and judgment of $4,000 for Bruggeman on the ground that he was injured as the result of the negligence of the Garden Company when riding as a passenger in its automobile.

The appellant brought this action against the appellee, the insurer of the automobile, to recover the amount of the judgment. The appellee based its defense on the failure of the Garden Company to co-operate with it in the case of Bruggeman v. Pittsburgh City Garden Company and contended that its action constituted a breach of the contract of insurance. At the trial, the appellee offered evidence of nonco-operation and the learned trial judge admitted it, over the objection of the appellant, and, in...