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Case 3:10-cv-00518-TJC-JBT Document 12 Filed 10/28/10 Page 1 of 25<br />

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT<br />

FOR THE MIDDLE DISTRICT OF FLORIDA<br />

JACKSONVILLE DIVISION<br />

HERBERT WILLIAMS<br />

and FLORIDA HYDRO, INC.,<br />

CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

vs.<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>s,<br />

ILLINOIS UNION INSURANCE<br />

COMPANY,<br />

Defendant<br />

_________________________________/<br />

PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION TO COMPEL (1) PRODUCTION OF DOCUMENTS<br />

RESPONSIVE TO THEIR FIRST REQUEST FOR PRODUCTION AND (2) BETTER<br />

ANSWERS TO THEIR FIRST SET OF INTERROGATORIES<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>s, Herbert <strong>Williams</strong> and Florida Hydro, Inc., by and through undersigned<br />

counsel, and pursuant <strong>to</strong> Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 37 and Middle District of Florida Local<br />

Rule 3.04(a), move this Court for the entry of an Order <strong>compel</strong>ling Defendant, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong><br />

Insurance Company (“<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>”), <strong>to</strong> produce documents responsive <strong>to</strong> their First Request<br />

for Production and <strong>to</strong> provide better answers <strong>to</strong> their First Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries, as follows: 1<br />

I. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND<br />

This is an action for damages for breach of contract arising out of the Defendant’s<br />

wrongful failure <strong>to</strong> defend and indemnify the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s for loss arising from a third-party claim,<br />

covered under <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> liability policy number BMI20036234 (the “Policy”).<br />

The<br />

1 Undersigned counsel certifies that <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s have attempted, without success, <strong>to</strong> resolve this discovery dispute with<br />

opposing counsel pursuant <strong>to</strong> Middle District of Florida Local Rule 3.01(g). See Letter from R. H. Lumpkin <strong>to</strong> R. S.<br />

Newman, of 9/30/10; Email from R. H. Lumpkin <strong>to</strong> R. S. Newman, of 10/6/10; Email from R. H. Lumpkin <strong>to</strong> R. S.<br />

Newman, of 10/11/10; and Email from R. H. Lumpkin <strong>to</strong> R. S. Newman, of 10/14/10 (attached as Composite<br />

Exhibit A).


Case 3:10-cv-00518-TJC-JBT Document 12 Filed 10/28/10 Page 2 of 25<br />

CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>s filed suit against <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> on June 17, 2010 [D.E. 1], and <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> filed its<br />

answer and affirmative defenses on July 28, 2010 [D.E. 8].<br />

On August 5, 2010, the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s propounded their First Request for Production and First<br />

Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries on <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> (attached as Composite Exhibit B).<br />

The Defendant<br />

requested and received a fifteen-day extension <strong>to</strong> respond.<br />

On September 20, 2010, <strong>Illinois</strong><br />

<strong>Union</strong> served its response (without an accompanying privilege log) and answers, both containing<br />

numerous objections, and produced less than fifty pages of documents that the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s already<br />

had. (The Defendant’s response and answers are attached as Composite Exhibit C).<br />

In an effort <strong>to</strong> resolve the matters raised by <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s objections without court<br />

intervention, the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s sent a detailed letter <strong>to</strong> the carrier on September 30, 2010, outlining<br />

the deficiencies in the Defendant’s discovery responses. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>, however, has refused <strong>to</strong><br />

withdraw its unsubstantiated objections, file an amended response and answers, produce<br />

documents responsive <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ requests, and/or serve a privilege log.<br />

The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s respectfully request that this Court enter an Order (a) overruling <strong>Illinois</strong><br />

<strong>Union</strong>’s objections <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Request for Production and First Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries;<br />

(b) <strong>compel</strong>ling <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>to</strong> immediately produce all documents responsive <strong>to</strong> Request Nos.<br />

2-6 and 8-12; and (c) <strong>compel</strong>ling <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>to</strong> immediately provide better answers <strong>to</strong><br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry Nos. 2-3 and 5-8.<br />

II.<br />

ARGUMENT<br />

Pursuant <strong>to</strong> Middle District of Florida Local Rule 3.04(a), the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ requests and<br />

interroga<strong>to</strong>ries, and <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s responses and answers are set forth verbatim below,<br />

followed by the reasons production and better answers must be <strong>compel</strong>led. We first address the<br />

carrier’s failure <strong>to</strong> produce a privilege log, as it alone justifies the relief requested by this <strong>motion</strong>.<br />

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Case 3:10-cv-00518-TJC-JBT Document 12 Filed 10/28/10 Page 3 of 25<br />

CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

A. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> Waived Any Privilege Objections It May Have Had By<br />

Electing Not To Provide A Privilege Log<br />

Florida federal courts recognize that where “a general objection of privilege is made<br />

without attaching a proper privilege log, the objection of privilege may be deemed waived.”<br />

Consumer Elec. Ass’n v. Compras and Buys Magazine, Inc., No. 08-21085-CIV, 2008 WL<br />

4327253, at *3 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 18, 2008); see Horowitch v. Diamond Aircraft Indus., Inc., No.<br />

6:06-CV-1703-Orl-19JGG, 2007 WL 1192401, at *2-4 (M.D. Fla. Apr. 23, 2007).<br />

The party<br />

resisting discovery bears the burden of demonstrating the applicability of the privilege or<br />

immunity and is required <strong>to</strong> produce a log or index of the withheld information detailing “the<br />

authors and their capacities, the recipients (including copy recipients) and their capacities, the<br />

subject matter of the document, the purpose for its production, and a detailed, specific<br />

explanation of why the document is privileged or immune from discovery.” Universal City Dev.<br />

Partners, Ltd. v. Ride & Show Eng’g, Inc. 230 F.R.D. 688, 695 (M.D. Fla. 2005).<br />

Without a<br />

privilege log, there is simply no information available <strong>to</strong> a requesting party (or a court) <strong>to</strong><br />

determine the nature of the allegedly protected documents being withheld.<br />

Federal courts have long recognized that a failure <strong>to</strong> substantiate privilege/immunity<br />

objections can (and should) result in a waiver of such objections. See, e.g., Pitts v. Francis, No.<br />

5:07cv169/RS/EMT, 2008 WL 2229524, at *4-5 (N.D. Fla. May 28, 2008) (holding that a party<br />

waived its privilege objections by failing <strong>to</strong> produce a privilege log); Capital Corp. Mergers &<br />

Acquisitions, Inc. v. Arias Co., Ltd., No. 6:04-CV-158-ORL-28JGG, 2006 WL 1208012, at *3<br />

(M.D. Fla. May 4, 2006) (a privilege log is due at the time of the written discovery response <strong>to</strong><br />

avoid waiver of the privilege); Eureka Fin. Corp. v. Hartford Acc. and Indem. Co., 136 F.R.D.<br />

179, 184 (E.D. Cal. 1991) (holding that when the “responding party states a general objection <strong>to</strong><br />

an entire discovery document on the basis of privilege, or generally asserts a privilege objection<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

within an individual discovery response, the resulting ‘blanket objection’ is decidedly improper”<br />

and can result in waiver of the claimed privileges); Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. v. West, 748<br />

F.2d 540, 541-42 (10th Cir. 1984) (holding that a blanket, non-specific at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privilege<br />

or work product objection was insufficient and effected a waiver of the privilege).<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s Response <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Request for Production was not<br />

accompanied by a privilege log, and the carrier has yet <strong>to</strong> provide one more than five weeks<br />

later.<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has accordingly waived its right <strong>to</strong> assert privileges and should be<br />

<strong>compel</strong>led <strong>to</strong> produce all withheld discovery.<br />

We now turn <strong>to</strong> the specific requests and<br />

interroga<strong>to</strong>ries at issue.<br />

B. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s Responses/Objections To Request Nos. 2-6 And 8-12 Are<br />

Legally Improper<br />

Request No. 2: Your entire claim and/or investigative file(s) pertaining <strong>to</strong> the<br />

Claims, whether local, field, regional or home office, including files held by any<br />

entity affiliated, contractually or otherwise, with You. This Request includes but<br />

is not limited <strong>to</strong> the claim file jacket(s), notes, daily diaries, statistical and coding<br />

information, letters, reports, pho<strong>to</strong>graphs with original negatives, invoices and<br />

billing, records of phone calls, emails, or other Documents.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 2: Objection. <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s request is irrelevant,<br />

immaterial, overbroad, premature, violative of at<strong>to</strong>rney-client and/or work<br />

product privileges. <strong>Plaintiff</strong> is not entitled <strong>to</strong> request such materials until the<br />

merits of claim for benefits (i.e. – <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s breach of contract claim) have been<br />

fully and finally adjudicated. See, for example, Allstate Insurance Company v.<br />

Shupack, 335 So. 2d 620 (Fla. 3d DCA 1976). See also, Allstate Indemnity<br />

Company v. Ruiz, 899 So. 2d 1121 (Fla. 2005); XL Specialty Insurance Company<br />

v. Aircraft Holdings, LLC, 929 So. 2d 578 (Fla. 1st DCA 2006); and Old<br />

Republic National Title Insurance Company v. Homeamerican Credit, Inc., 844<br />

So. 2d 818 (Fla. 5th DCA 2003).<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s boilerplate objections are ineffective and should thus be overruled.<br />

A<br />

party has the burden of proving the basis for its objections and cannot shirk its discovery<br />

obligations through conclusory, boilerplate statements. See, e.g., AIG Centennial Ins. Co. v.<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

O’Neill, No. 09-cv-60551-WJZ, at 22 (S.D. Fla. Oct. 18, 2010) (discovery order) (refusing <strong>to</strong><br />

consider overbreadth and burdensomeness objections where the insurer provided no support for<br />

those assertions) (attached as Exhibit D); Oliver v. City of Orlando, No. 6:06-cv-1671-Orl-<br />

31DAB, 2007 WL 3232227, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 31, 2007) (an objection that a request is<br />

unduly burdensome, irrelevant, overbroad, or oppressive must be specifically described); Cutrale<br />

Citrus Juices USA, Inc. v. Zurich Am. Ins. Group, No. 5:03-cv-420-Oc-10GRJ, 2005 WL<br />

5177325, at *1 (M.D. Fla. June 8, 2005) (finding that a generalized and inadequate objection,<br />

“by itself, falls far short of satisfying Defendants’ burden of proof”); Viking Yacht Co. v.<br />

Affiliated FM Ins. Co., 07-80341-CIV-Marra/Johnson, at 3-5 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 7, 2008) (discovery<br />

order) (“<strong>to</strong> even merit consideration, an objection must show specifically how a discovery<br />

request is overly broad, burdensome or oppressive, by submitting evidence or offering evidence<br />

which reveals the nature of the burden”) (attached as Exhibit E).<br />

This District routinely holds that an insured is entitled <strong>to</strong> a carrier’s claim file in a<br />

coverage action.<br />

See, e.g., St. Joe Co. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., No. 3:05-cv-1266-J-25MCR,<br />

2006 WL 3391208, at *2-3 (M.D. Fla. Nov. 22, 2006); Au<strong>to</strong> Owners Ins. Co. v. Totaltape, Inc.,<br />

135 F.R.D. 199, 201-04 (M.D. Fla. 1990); Cutrale Citrus Juices USA, Inc. v. Zurich Am. Ins.<br />

Group, No. 5:03-cv-420-Oc-10GRJ, 2004 WL 5215191, at *2 (M.D. Fla. Sept. 10, 2004). The<br />

state court citations provided by <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> are of no consequence here: “Florida state court<br />

cases regarding the discoverability of claims files are not binding on federal courts.” St. Joe<br />

Co., 2006 WL 3391208, at *3 (emphasis added). “While several Florida courts have held that<br />

claims files are off limits until coverage has been proven, federal courts regularly permit<br />

discovery of an insurer’s claims file.” Id. (emphasis added).<br />

Information in the claims file “could reasonably lead <strong>to</strong> other matters that could bear on,<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

any issue that is or may be in the case,” and, thus, is relevant. Id.; see also Au<strong>to</strong>-Owners Ins. Co.<br />

v. Southeast Floating Docks, Inc., 231 F.R.D. 426, 430 (M.D. Fla. 2005) (relevance is “construed<br />

broadly <strong>to</strong> encompass any matter that bears on, or that reasonably could lead <strong>to</strong> other matter that<br />

bears on, any issue that is or may be in the case”). The party resisting discovery bears the burden<br />

<strong>to</strong> show that the requested information is not relevant. See Gober v. City of Leesburg, 197<br />

F.R.D. 519, 521 (M.D. Fla. 2000) (holding that the party trying <strong>to</strong> avoid discovery “must<br />

demonstrate <strong>to</strong> the court that the requested ... information either do[es] not come within the broad<br />

scope of relevance defined pursuant <strong>to</strong> Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1) or else [is] of such marginal<br />

relevance that the potential harm occasioned by discovery would outweigh the ordinary<br />

presumption in favor of broad disclosure”). The discovery provisions of the Federal Rules of<br />

Civil Procedure “require the disclosure of all relevant information” so that the parties may fully<br />

develop and crystallize concise factual issues for trial and so that “the ultimate resolution of<br />

disputed issues in any civil action may be based on a full and accurate understanding of the true<br />

facts.” U.S. v. Lowe, No. 3:08-cv-475-J-16MCR, 2008 WL 4500224, at *1 (M.D. Fla. Oct. 3,<br />

2008); see also Lerer v. Ferno-Wash., Inc., No. 06-CV-81031, 2007 WL 3256585, at *3 (S.D.<br />

Fla. Nov. 2, 2007) (citing Burns v. Thiokol Chem. Corp., 483 F.2d 300, 304 (5th Cir. 1973)). 2<br />

Relevance for purposes of discovery “is much broader than relevance for trial purposes . . . .<br />

Discovery should ordinarily be allowed . . . unless it is clear that the information sought has no<br />

possible bearing on the subject matter of the action.”<br />

Dunkin Donuts Inc. v. Mary’s Donuts,<br />

Inc., No. 01-0392-Civ-Gold, 2001 WL 34079319, at *2 (S.D. Fla. Nov. 1, 2001) (emphasis<br />

added). Put succinctly, the Federal Rules “permit fishing for evidence as they should.” Jeld-<br />

Wen, Inc. v. Nebula Glasslam Int’l, Inc., 248 F.R.D. 632, 639 (S.D. Fla. 2008) (emphasis added)<br />

2 Decisions rendered in the Fifth Circuit prior <strong>to</strong> close of business on September 30, 1981, are binding precedent. See<br />

Bonner v. City of Prichard, 661 F.2d 1206, 1209 (11th Cir. 1981) (en banc).<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

(quoting Fed. R. Civ. P. advisory committee’s notes); O’Neill, No. 09-cv-60551-WJZ, at 6<br />

(same). Thus, any documents within an insurer’s claims file that are not protected either by the<br />

at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privilege or the work product doctrine – unless waived, as is the case here – are<br />

discoverable. See St. Joe Co., 2006 WL 3391208, at *3.<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> objects that this request seeks documents that are at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privileged<br />

and/or work product protected. The carrier, however, has failed <strong>to</strong> provide the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s with a<br />

privilege log that would allow for an evaluation of those assertions. See supra pages 3-4.<br />

Further, there is no blanket protection of the claims file, as either at<strong>to</strong>rney-client or work product<br />

protected. See St. Joe Co., 2006 WL 3391208, at *3; see also 1550 Brickell Assoc. v. QBE Ins.<br />

Corp., No. 07-22283-CIV, 2008 WL 4279538, at *1 (S.D. Fla. July 8, 2008) (the claims file is<br />

not afforded a blanket privilege). “Instead, it is treated like any other collection of documents,<br />

which may contain both discoverable and undiscoverable components.” 1550 Brickell, 2008 WL<br />

4279538, at *1. Without a privilege log there is simply no information available <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s<br />

(or <strong>to</strong> this court) <strong>to</strong> determine the nature of the allegedly protected documents being withheld.<br />

The burden of establishing at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privilege rests on the party asserting the<br />

privilege. See Tyne v. Time Warner Entm’t Co., L.P., 212 F.R.D. 596, 598 (M.D. Fla. 2002).<br />

When that party is a corporation, its claims of privilege are subject <strong>to</strong> a heightened level of<br />

scrutiny “<strong>to</strong> minimize the threat of corporations cloaking information with the at<strong>to</strong>rney-client<br />

privilege in order <strong>to</strong> avoid discovery.” S. Bell Tel. & Tel. Co. v. Deason, 632 So. 2d 1377, 1383<br />

(Fla. 1994) (emphasis added).<br />

In Deason, the Supreme Court of Florida held that for a<br />

communication <strong>to</strong> fall within the at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privilege, it must satisfy five requirements: (1)<br />

the communications would not have been made but for the contemplation of legal services; (2)<br />

the employee making the communication did so at the direction of his or her corporate<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

supervisor; (3) the superior made the request of the employee as part of the corporation’s effort<br />

<strong>to</strong> secure legal advice or services; (4) the content of the communication relates <strong>to</strong> the legal<br />

services being rendered, and the subject matter of the communication is within the scope of the<br />

employee’s duties; and (5) the communication is not disseminated beyond those persons who<br />

because of the corporate structure, need <strong>to</strong> know its contents. Id.; see also St. Joe Co., 2006 WL<br />

3391208, at *4. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has failed <strong>to</strong> sustain its burden.<br />

Florida law holds that the at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privilege does not extend <strong>to</strong> communications<br />

with at<strong>to</strong>rneys performing claims-handling or investiga<strong>to</strong>ry functions.<br />

This is because “in the<br />

insurance context, ‘no privilege attaches when an at<strong>to</strong>rney performs investigative work in the<br />

capacity of an insurance claims adjuster, rather than a lawyer . . . .” Cutrale Citrus Juices, 2004<br />

WL 5215191, at *3; see also Deason, 632 So. 2d at 1383-1384; St. Joe Co., 2006 WL 3391208,<br />

at *5 (“When an at<strong>to</strong>rney is not acting in the capacity of a legal advisor – for instance, when an<br />

at<strong>to</strong>rney is providing purely business advice – then the communications are not protected.”);<br />

1550 Brickell, 597 F. Supp. at 1337 (citing Bankers Ins. Co. v. Fla. Dep’t of Ins. & Treasurer,<br />

755 So. 2d 729 (Fla. 1st DCA 2000)) (at<strong>to</strong>rney client privilege did not apply <strong>to</strong> communications<br />

between an insurer and an at<strong>to</strong>rney retained “<strong>to</strong> assist [the insurer] in developing the<br />

investigation, securing Examinations Under Oath and . . . propounding documents requests and<br />

things of that nature . . .” because these were “activities of someone whom would be hired even<br />

if litigation were not remotely contemplated”); St. Joe Co. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., No. 3:05-CV-<br />

1266-J-25MCR, 2007 WL 141282, at *3 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 16, 2007); W. Nat’l Bank of Denver v.<br />

Employers Ins. of Wassau, 109 F.R.D. 55, 57 (D. Colo. 1985) (holding the portions of the file of<br />

a law firm retained by an insurer reflecting the factual investigation of a claim by the at<strong>to</strong>rneys<br />

are not work product); Chicago Meat Processors, Inc. v. Mid-Century Ins. Co., No. 95 C 4277,<br />

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1996 WL 172148, at *3 (N.D. Ill. Apr. 10, 1996) (“[i]n the insurance context, <strong>to</strong> the extent that<br />

an at<strong>to</strong>rney acts as a claims adjuster, claims process supervisor, or claims investigation moni<strong>to</strong>r,<br />

and not as a legal advisor, the at<strong>to</strong>rney-client privilege does not apply”).<br />

“Just because a<br />

communication is between an at<strong>to</strong>rney and a client does not mean the privilege au<strong>to</strong>matically<br />

arises; the relevant question is whether an at<strong>to</strong>rney was retained <strong>to</strong> render legal services.” St. Joe,<br />

2006 WL 3391208, at *5; see also Bankers Ins. Co. v. Fla. Dep’t of Ins., 755 So. 2d 729 (Fla. 1st<br />

DCA 2000) (holding no privilege exists where the at<strong>to</strong>rney is “a conduit” for the insurer).<br />

The work product doctrine only shields discovery of documents or information “prepared<br />

in anticipation of litigation or for trial.” FED. R. CIV. P. 26(b)(3). “A party must anticipate<br />

litigation at the time the documents were drafted for [work product] protections <strong>to</strong> apply.<br />

Materials or documents drafted in the ordinary course of business are not protected.” Milinazzo<br />

v. State Farm Ins. Co., 247 F.R.D. 691, 698 (S.D. Fla. 2007); see also CSK Transp., Inc. v.<br />

Admiral Ins. Co., No. 93-132-CIV-J-10, 1995 WL 855421, at *2 (M.D. Fla. July 20, 1995).<br />

Therefore, a court needs “<strong>to</strong> determine when the document was created, and why it was created.”<br />

Milinazzo, 247 F.R.D. at 698. The fact that litigation did in fact occur, that a party has consulted<br />

or retained an at<strong>to</strong>rney, that a party has undertaken an investigation, or engaged in negotiations<br />

over the claim is insufficient <strong>to</strong> establish a reasonable anticipation of litigation . . . .” Harper v.<br />

Au<strong>to</strong>-Owners Ins. Co., 138 F.R.D. 655, 660 (S.D. Ind. 1991).<br />

As the party asserting the<br />

protection, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has the burden of proving the applicability of the work product<br />

doctrine. See Grand Jury Proceedings v. U.S., 156 F.3d 1038 (10th Cir. 1998). To overcome<br />

the Harper presumptions, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> must demonstrate, by specific evidentiary proof of<br />

objective facts: (1) that it reasonably anticipated litigation when each document was generated or<br />

received; (2) that the document was prepared and used solely <strong>to</strong> prepare for that litigation; and<br />

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(3) that the document was not created <strong>to</strong> arrive at or buttress a tentative claims decision. See<br />

Harper, 138 F.R.D. at 664. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has failed <strong>to</strong> sustain its burden as <strong>to</strong> this protection as<br />

well.<br />

Florida federal courts have determined that in the insurance context, “documents<br />

constituting any part of a factual inquiry in<strong>to</strong> or evaluation of a claim, undertaken in order <strong>to</strong><br />

arrive at a claim decision, are produced in the ordinary course of an insurer's business and,<br />

therefore, are not work product.”<br />

Cutrale Citrus Juices, 2004 WL 5215191, at *2 (citing<br />

Harper, 138 F.R.D. at 662); see also St. Joe Co., 2006 WL 3391208, at *7.<br />

Florida federal<br />

courts also hold that there is a rebuttable presumption that documents prepared before a final<br />

decision on an insured’s claim are prepared in the ordinary course of business and are not work<br />

product. See O’Neill, No. 09-cv-60551-WJZ, at 18-19; Royal Bahamian Ass’n, Inc. v. QBE Ins.<br />

Corp., No. 10-21511-CIV-MORENO/GOODMAN, 2010 WL 3452368, at *1 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 3,<br />

2010); Essex Builders Group, Inc. v. Amerisure Ins. Co., No. 6:04-CV-1838-Orl-22JGG, 2006<br />

WL 1733857, at *2 (M.D. Fla. June 20, 2006); Cutrale Citrus Juices, 2004 WL 5215191, at *2;<br />

1550 Brickell, 597 F. Supp. 2d at 1336; U.S. Fid. & Guar. Co. v. Liberty Surplus Ins. Corp., 630<br />

F. Supp. 2d 1332, 1337-38 (M.D. Fla. 2007); Milinazzo, 247 F.R.D. at 701.<br />

Documents created up until the date the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s filed suit – June 17, 2010 – are<br />

accordingly not work product protected, as the carrier had not yet made its final decision on the<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ claims. In fact, the insurer continues <strong>to</strong> evaluate entitlement <strong>to</strong> defense costs. See,<br />

e.g., Email from N. Ron <strong>to</strong> J. Middle<strong>to</strong>n of 8/20/09; Letter from J. Adler <strong>to</strong> R. Hugh Lumpkin of<br />

4/28/10; Letter from J. Adler <strong>to</strong> R. Hugh Lumpkin of 6/24/10; Letter from J. Adler <strong>to</strong> J.<br />

Middle<strong>to</strong>n of 9/1/09 (attached as Composite Exhibit F).<br />

Also, the insurer’s official statement<br />

letter regarding coverage for the settlement, dated September 1, 2009, cannot be construed as a<br />

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“final decision” on the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ claims for two reasons: First, the letter contains language that<br />

suggests that it was not meant <strong>to</strong> operate as a “final” denial of the claim for the settlement<br />

amount.<br />

Second, the insurer was still investigating and evaluating the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ claim for<br />

defense costs at that point.<br />

The carrier even stated in its September 1, 2009, letter that “[a]fter you have reviewed the<br />

letter, if there is additional information that you would like me <strong>to</strong> consider, please forward same<br />

<strong>to</strong> me.” Letter from J. Adler <strong>to</strong> J. Middle<strong>to</strong>n of 9/1/09 (Composite Exhibit F). The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s did<br />

exactly that and responded, providing additional information and explaining, among other things,<br />

why the settlement is covered under the Policy.<br />

Further, the fact that the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s disagreed<br />

with <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s preliminary coverage positions does not, without more, create a reasonable<br />

anticipation of litigation.<br />

See Harper, 138 F.R.D. at 659-60 (“Because litigation can be<br />

anticipated, in a general sense, at the time almost any incident occurs . . . ,” courts interpreting<br />

Rule 26(b)(3) “require a more substantial and specific threat of litigation before a party’s<br />

anticipation will be considered reasonable and justifiable motivating force.”).<br />

As is often the<br />

case, various discussions and negotiations between an insurer and its insureds take place before it<br />

becomes apparent that litigation is necessary <strong>to</strong> resolve a coverage dispute.<br />

Regarding the second reason, see, e.g., Email from N. Ron <strong>to</strong> J. Middle<strong>to</strong>n of 8/20/09<br />

(“[P]lease submit copies of all invoices incurred since [July 2, 2009]. Based upon . . . my review<br />

of the bills, we can further discuss an allocation for defense fees incurred since claim<br />

submission.”); Letter from J. Adler <strong>to</strong> R. Hugh Lumpkin of 4/28/10 (“[P]lease provide us with<br />

copies of defense fees and costs invoices related <strong>to</strong> this matter”); Letter from J. Adler <strong>to</strong> R. Hugh<br />

Lumpkin of 6/24/10 (“[I]n order <strong>to</strong> properly consider reimbursement for defense costs, please<br />

provide information explaining the services that were provided by each of the two law firms<br />

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defending this matter and why it was necessary <strong>to</strong> have two law firms.<br />

How did their roles<br />

differ? Please explain what services were provided in the defense of Herbert <strong>Williams</strong>. Again,<br />

please provide this information as soon as possible so that the carrier can make an appropriate<br />

determination for purposes of allocating defense costs.”) (Composite Exhibit F).<br />

Thus, because the Defendant continues <strong>to</strong> actively evaluate the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ claims, <strong>Illinois</strong><br />

<strong>Union</strong> is only entitled <strong>to</strong> work product protection for documents created after June 17, 2010. See<br />

Royal Bahamian, 2010 WL 3452368, at *2-3.<br />

Request No. 3: All Documents Relating <strong>to</strong> the Claims and/or <strong>to</strong> the Policy<br />

and/or <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s in the possession, cus<strong>to</strong>dy and/or control of You or Insurer<br />

Counsel.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 3: Objection. <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s request is neither clear,<br />

concise nor reasonably particularized. <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s request is overly broad. See,<br />

Section III.A.1., Middle District Discovery (2001) at 10. Additionally, <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s<br />

request is vague, irrelevant, immaterial, premature, violative of at<strong>to</strong>rney-client<br />

and/or work product privilege. <strong>Plaintiff</strong> seeks the same materials included within<br />

those requested in Request 2 above. And, for the same reasons, is not entitled <strong>to</strong><br />

same.<br />

Without waiving such objections, Defendant attaches as Composite Exhibit “B”<br />

(IU-000027 through IU-000076) correspondence in its possession regarding<br />

unprivileged or unprotected communications by and between the insured, its agent<br />

and counsel and the carrier.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ request is clear, concise, and reasonably particularized, as it seeks a<br />

certain, limited category of documents:<br />

documents that are related <strong>to</strong> the Claims, the Policy,<br />

and/or <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s, which are all terms defined in the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Request for Production.<br />

Moreover, the Defendant’s response is wholly improper: “[I]t is common practice for a<br />

party <strong>to</strong> assert boilerplate objections and then state that . . . the party will respond <strong>to</strong> the<br />

discovery request, ‘subject <strong>to</strong> or without waiving the objection.’ Such an objection and answer<br />

preserves nothing and wastes the time and resources of the parties and the court. Further, this<br />

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practice leaves the requesting party uncertain as <strong>to</strong> whether the opposing party has fully<br />

answered its request.” Martin v. Zale Del., Inc., No. 8:08-CV-47-T-27EAJ, 2008 WL 5255555,<br />

at *2 (M.D. Fla. Dec. 15, 2008) (emphasis added).<br />

With respect <strong>to</strong> the remainder of <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s response, see Reason(s) To Compel<br />

Production of Request No. 2.<br />

Request No. 4: All notes, logs, minutes, memoranda, emails, or other<br />

Documents reflecting any decisions, meetings, discussions or deliberations by or<br />

on behalf of You concerning the Claims and/or the Policy and/or <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 4: Other than documents produced in response <strong>to</strong><br />

Request 3 above, Defendant adopts and incorporates by reference the same<br />

objections as set forth in its responses <strong>to</strong> Request for Production 2 and 3.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

See Reason(s) To Compel Production of Request Nos. 2 and 3.<br />

Request No. 5: All Documents Relating <strong>to</strong> Communications by and between<br />

You and the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s Relating <strong>to</strong> the Policy and/or <strong>to</strong> the Claims.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 5: Other than documents produced in response <strong>to</strong><br />

Request 3 above, Defendant adopts and incorporates by reference the same<br />

objections as set forth in is responses <strong>to</strong> Request for Production 2 and 3.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

See Reason(s) To Compel Production of Request Nos. 2 and 3.<br />

Request No. 6: All Documents Relating <strong>to</strong> Communications by and between<br />

You and any other Person or entity, including, but not limited <strong>to</strong>, <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’<br />

Defense Counsel, regarding the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s and/or the Policy and/or the Claims.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 6: Defendant adopts and incorporates by reference its<br />

response <strong>to</strong> Request 3 above. More particularly, Defendant objects <strong>to</strong> the<br />

production of documents relating <strong>to</strong> “any other person or entity” because the only<br />

such documents in Defendant’s possession involve communications with counsel<br />

and/or documents that were created in connection with communications with<br />

counsel and, therefore, those documents are protected by the at<strong>to</strong>rney-client<br />

and/or work product privileges.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

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See Reason(s) To Compel Production of Request Nos. 2 and 3.<br />

Request No. 8: All Documents in Your possession, cus<strong>to</strong>dy, or control that You<br />

relied on in denying coverage in whole or in part for the Claims.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 8:<br />

Production 1, above.<br />

See, Defendant’s response <strong>to</strong> Request for<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> refers only <strong>to</strong> the Policy in its Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 1. The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s<br />

asked in their September 30, 2010, letter <strong>to</strong> <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> that the insurer confirm that it did not<br />

consider any Document, other than the Policy, in making its determination(s) as <strong>to</strong> the Claims.<br />

The carrier indicated in an email from R. S. Newman <strong>to</strong> R. H. Lumpkin, of 10/14/10 that its<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 8 requires clarification.<br />

The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s request that the carrier<br />

accordingly file an amended response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 8.<br />

Request No. 9: All communications between You and the Florida Department of<br />

Insurance, or any Florida government agency or official, at any time between<br />

1980 and 2006 Relating <strong>to</strong> the adoption, interpretation, approval for use, or<br />

application of the Employment Exclusion.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 9: Objection. Overbroad, harassing, irrelevant,<br />

immaterial, not appropriately limited in time or scope inasmuch as <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s<br />

request spans 26 years and the policy form and endorsements at issue in this<br />

proceeding were not printed for circulation and use until June and July, 2005.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

Based on <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s response that “the policy form and endorsements at issue in this<br />

proceeding were not printed for circulation and use until June and July, 2005,” the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s<br />

agreed in their September 30, 2010, letter <strong>to</strong> limit Request No. 9 <strong>to</strong> the time period of 2005 <strong>to</strong> the<br />

present, and requested that the carrier confirm that that alteration fully addresses the insurer’s<br />

overbroad, harassing, immaterial and “not appropriately limited in time or scope” objections.<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> did not respond.<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s relevancy objection <strong>to</strong> this request is improper.<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

Compel Production of Request No. 2. Courts routinely require insurers <strong>to</strong> produce this type of<br />

documentation. See, e.g., Nat’l <strong>Union</strong> Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, Pa. v. F. Vicino Drywall II,<br />

Inc., et al., No. 10-60273-CIV-GOLD/MCALILEY (S.D. Fla. Oct. 22, 2010) (discovery order)<br />

(<strong>compel</strong>ling production of communications with state departments of insurance, insurance<br />

regula<strong>to</strong>rs, and insurance trade organizations) (attached as Exhibit G); Mach. Movers, Riggers &<br />

Mach. Erec<strong>to</strong>rs Local 136 Defined Contribution Pension Plan v. Fid. & Deposit Co. of Mary,<br />

No. 06 C 2439, 2007 WL 3120029, at *2-3 (N.D. Ill. Oct. 19, 2007) (communications with<br />

insurance industry associations).<br />

The information the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s have requested plainly would help in resolving the disputed<br />

issues in this case, because it bears on how <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has interpreted the exclusion at issue in<br />

its past dealings with regula<strong>to</strong>rs and insurance industry associations. Such information includes<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s relevant correspondence with state regula<strong>to</strong>rs and insurance industry<br />

associations showing how it marketed policies containing the exclusion and information about<br />

how <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has handled other claims raising similar coverage issues.<br />

These materials<br />

could be important <strong>to</strong> evaluating the merits of <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s position in this case.<br />

Request No. 10: All Communications between You and any insurance trade<br />

association, including, but not limited <strong>to</strong>, the National Bureau of Casualty<br />

Underwriters, Mutual Insurance Rating Bureau, American Mutual Insurance<br />

Alliance, Insurance Services Office, Inc., American Insurance Association, the<br />

Insurance Information Institute, the Insurance Rating Board, the Insurance Rating<br />

Bureau, and any of their predecessors, between 1980 and 2006 Relating in whole<br />

or in part <strong>to</strong> the Employment Exclusion.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 10: Defendant adopts and incorporates by reference its<br />

objections <strong>to</strong> Request for Production 9, above.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

See Reason(s) To Compel Production of Request No. 9.<br />

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Request No. 11: All underwriting manuals or guidelines Relating in whole or in<br />

part <strong>to</strong> the Employment Exclusion in use between 2006 and the present, including<br />

any modifications there<strong>to</strong>.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 11: Objection. Defendant’s manuals, guidelines and<br />

other similar materials, if any, are not subject <strong>to</strong> discovery in a proceeding of this<br />

nature until the merits of <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s claim for benefits have been fully and finally<br />

determined. See, Allstate Indemnity Company v. Ruiz, 899 So. 2d 1121 (Fla.<br />

2005) and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company v. Homeamerican<br />

Credit Inc., 844 So. 2d 818 (Fla 5th DCA 2003).<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

Based on the Defendant’s Responses <strong>to</strong> Request Nos. 9 and 10 that “the policy form and<br />

endorsements at issue in this proceeding were not printed for circulation and use until June and<br />

July, 2005,” the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s modified this request <strong>to</strong> the time period of 2005 <strong>to</strong> the present in their<br />

September 30, 2010, letter <strong>to</strong> <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>.<br />

Request No. 11 seeks common interpretive materials, which are routinely ordered<br />

produced in coverage cases involving policy interpretation. See F. Vicino Drywall, No. 10-<br />

60273-CIV-GOLD/MCALILEY (<strong>compel</strong>ling production of underwriting manuals and<br />

guidelines, and other interpretive materials, including home or regional office directives and<br />

bulletins); O’Neill, No. 09-cv-60551-WJZ, at 15, 21-23 (granting <strong>motion</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>compel</strong> production<br />

of underwriting and other interpretive materials); Del Monte Fresh Produce v. Ace Am. Ins. Co.,<br />

No. 00-4792-CIV-Huck/Turnoff, at 4-5 (S.D. Fla. Sept. 3, 2002) (discovery order) (same)<br />

(attached as Exhibit H); Milinazzo, 24 F.R.D. at 703 (recognizing that where policy terms are<br />

potentially ambiguous, “underwriting related documents could be used <strong>to</strong> resolve that<br />

ambiguity”); Viking Yacht, No. 07-80341-CIV-MARRA/JOHNSON, at 4; Totaltape, 135 F.R.D.<br />

at 203 (insurer’s claims manual and policy interpretation guidelines are relevant <strong>to</strong> insured’s<br />

breach of contract claim; granting <strong>motion</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>compel</strong> production of insurer’s claim manuals and<br />

guidelines); Allstate Ins. Co. v. Levesque, No. 8:08-CV-2253-T-33EAJ, 2010 WL 376777, at *1-<br />

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2 (M.D. Fla. Jan. 26, 2010) (claims handling materials relating <strong>to</strong> plaintiff’s claim discoverable<br />

in breach of contract suit).<br />

Such materials would illuminate the meaning – and possible ambiguity – of the exclusion<br />

at issue, the “Employment Exclusion,” and may confirm the interpretation advanced by the<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>s or at least that their interpretation is reasonable.<br />

Under Florida law, any such<br />

ambiguity in an insurance policy must be construed in favor of coverage. Documentary evidence<br />

showing <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s own impression of how its Policy must be interpreted and applied<br />

would also provide insight for the Court’s determination as <strong>to</strong> whether <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> breached its<br />

Policy here.<br />

Because the exclusion at issue is potentially susceptible <strong>to</strong> different interpretations, the<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>s are entitled <strong>to</strong> explore whether the Defendant internally agrees with their interpretation.<br />

See Del Monte, No. 00-4792-CIV-Huck/Turnoff, at 4-5; Viking Yacht, No. 07-80341-CIV-<br />

MARRA/JOHNSON, at 4 (“drafting his<strong>to</strong>ry and extrinsic evidence of interpretative materials is<br />

discoverable at this early stage of litigation when questions concerning ambiguity have not been<br />

resolved”).<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s internal construction of the exclusion upon which it is relying <strong>to</strong><br />

deny coverage and the terms of the Policy that may have been negotiated or modified are thus<br />

relevant and discoverable in this case.<br />

Federal courts in jurisdictions following Florida’s interpretive principles also routinely<br />

order production of documents bearing on the interpretation of insurance policy language. See,<br />

e.g., Chubb Cus<strong>to</strong>m Ins. Co, No. 2:07-CV-1285, 2009 WL 243034, at *8-9 (S.D. Ohio Jan. 30,<br />

2009) (underwriting materials relevant and discoverable); Taco, Inc. v. Fed. Ins. Co., No. 07-<br />

27S, 2007 WL 4269810, at *3 (D.R.I. Nov. 30, 2007) (finding insurer’s internal underwriting<br />

and claims manuals were relevant and discoverable since such materials were germane <strong>to</strong> the<br />

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interpretation of the policies and exclusions at issue); ALP Corp. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co, 91<br />

F.R.D. 10, 14-15 (D. Md. 1980) (<strong>compel</strong>ling production of defendant’s claims manuals,<br />

interpretive and investigative materials concerning defendant’s interpretation of inven<strong>to</strong>ry<br />

exclusion in plaintiff’s policy and rejecting trade secret objection); Young v. Liberty Mut. Ins.<br />

Co., No. 3:96-CV-1189 (EBB), 1999 WL 301688, at *5 (D. Conn. Feb. 16, 1999) (“To facilitate<br />

a full understanding of the meaning of an insurance policy’s terms, many courts have allowed<br />

discovery of the drafting his<strong>to</strong>ry and interpretations of standard form CGL policy language,<br />

reinsurance information, and other insured’s claims.”); Arkwright Mut. Ins. Co. v. Nat’l <strong>Union</strong><br />

Fire Ins. Co., No. 90 CIV. 7811, 1993 WL 437767, at *1-2 (S.D.N.Y. Oct. 26, 1993) (drafting<br />

his<strong>to</strong>ry documents are discoverable); Champion Int’l Corp. v. Liberty Mut. Ins. Co., 129 F.R.D.<br />

63, 67 (S.D.N.Y. 1989) (finding that liability insurers’ drafting his<strong>to</strong>ry documents, claims<br />

manuals, and instructions <strong>to</strong> sales personnel on how <strong>to</strong> market and sell policies were<br />

discoverable as clearly germane <strong>to</strong> interpretation of policy at issue).<br />

As in Viking Yachts and Del Monte, federal courts recognize that interpretive materials<br />

are discoverable in insurance coverage disputes prior <strong>to</strong> any finding of ambiguity by the court<br />

and regardless of whether either party specifically claimed the policy language <strong>to</strong> be ambiguous.<br />

See Young, 1999 WL 301688, at *5 (“even if the Court were <strong>to</strong> ultimately conclude that the CGL<br />

policies at issue were unambiguous, this should not prevent the plaintiffs from discovering<br />

evidence which may present an ambiguity in the CGL policies at issue”); Arkwright, 1993 WL<br />

437767, at *1-2 (holding that, even where neither party had claimed the policy <strong>to</strong> be ambiguous,<br />

the parties’ contrasting interpretations of key provisions was sufficient <strong>to</strong> make drafting his<strong>to</strong>ry<br />

of policy relevant and discoverable); Nestle Food Corps. v. Aetna Cas. & Sur. Co., 135 F.R.D.<br />

101, 105-106 (D. N.J. 1990) (holding drafting his<strong>to</strong>ry and interpretations of policy language<br />

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relevant and discoverable though there had not yet been a finding of ambiguity).<br />

Request No. 12: All home or regional office bulletins or directives Relating <strong>to</strong><br />

the use, interpretation, pricing for and/or interpretation of the Employment<br />

Exclusion.<br />

Response <strong>to</strong> Request No. 12: Objection. Defendant’s bulletins, directives or<br />

other similar materials, if any, are not subject <strong>to</strong> discovery in a proceeding of this<br />

nature until the merits of <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s claim for benefits have been fully and finally<br />

determined. See, Allstate Indemnity Company v. Ruiz, 899 So. 2d 1121 (Fla.<br />

2005) and Old Republic National Title Insurance Company v. Homeamerican<br />

Credit Inc., 844 So. 2d 818 (Fla 5th DCA 2003).<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Production<br />

See Reason(s) To Compel Production of Request No. 11.<br />

C. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s Answers/Objections To Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry Nos. 2-3 And 5-8 Are<br />

Legally Improper<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 2: Identify every one of Your employees or Agents, former or<br />

current, who participated in the offer, negotiation, sale, assembly, underwriting,<br />

drafting or preparation of the Policy, and with respect <strong>to</strong> each such Person,<br />

describe the nature of his or her involvement, the Date(s) of that involvement,<br />

position held at the time of his or her involvement and presently, his or her full<br />

name, the name of the Person’s present employer, and his or her current business<br />

address. If the Person is no longer employed by You, and You do not know the<br />

Person’s current whereabouts, please provide the Person’s last known address,<br />

telephone number, and date of birth.<br />

Answer <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 2: <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> objects <strong>to</strong> the instant<br />

interroga<strong>to</strong>ry on the grounds that it is irrelevant, immaterial, unduly burdensome,<br />

requires undue time, labor and expense for compliance and is beyond the scope of<br />

the issues framed by the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s Complaint, <strong>to</strong> wit: whether the Defendant<br />

breached a duty <strong>to</strong> defend and indemnify under the policy issued <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>.<br />

(See Paragraph 31 of <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s Complaint). <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s Complaint raises no issue<br />

regarding the “offer, negotiation, sale, assembly, underwriting, drafting or<br />

preparation of the policy.” Accordingly, Defendant should not be required <strong>to</strong><br />

respond and/or <strong>Plaintiff</strong>’s Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry should be limited in scope <strong>to</strong> address the<br />

issues actually raised in the Complaint.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Better Answer<br />

The discovery sought by this interroga<strong>to</strong>ry is not irrelevant or immaterial, and addresses<br />

matters that bear on the issues in this case – whether the carrier breached its duty <strong>to</strong> defend and<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

indemnify the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s. Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 2 seeks identification of persons whom the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s<br />

can depose <strong>to</strong> clarify the type of coverage they purchased from <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> and <strong>to</strong> provide<br />

additional insight in<strong>to</strong> the interpretation of the Policy’s provisions and exclusions.<br />

These<br />

individuals might also shed light on <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s solicitation of the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s <strong>to</strong> purchase the<br />

Policy and will inform as <strong>to</strong> what fac<strong>to</strong>rs were considered by <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> in setting the<br />

Policy’s premium.<br />

This interroga<strong>to</strong>ry is not unduly burdensome; it is narrowly tailored and does not impose<br />

an excessive burden. As the party resisting discovery, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> is required <strong>to</strong> establish how<br />

the request imposes an undue burden. See Gober, 197 F.R.D. at 521. It has failed <strong>to</strong> do so. In<br />

Baine v. General Mo<strong>to</strong>rs Corp., 141 F.R.D. 328 (M.D. Ala. 1991) the court explained the<br />

con<strong>to</strong>urs of this objection:<br />

“The law applicable <strong>to</strong> an objection <strong>to</strong> production on grounds of<br />

burdensomeness [sic] and expense is fairly clear. The mere fact that producing documents would<br />

be burdensome and expensive and would interfere with the party’s normal operations is not<br />

inherently a reason <strong>to</strong> refuse an otherwise legitimate discovery request.” Id. at 330 (emphasis<br />

added).<br />

Simply put, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has improperly objected merely because locating responsive<br />

persons might involve some effort and expense on its part. See Checkers Drive-In Rests., Inc. v.<br />

Titan Holdings, LLC, No. 6:06-cv-300-Orl-28KRS, 2007 WL 1877826, at *1 (M.D. Fla. June 28,<br />

2007) (dismissing “unduly burdensome” objection in absence of supporting evidence); St. Paul<br />

Reinsurance Co. v. Comm. Fin. Corp., 198 F.R.D. 508, 511-13 (N.D. Iowa 2000) (holding that<br />

“the mere statement by a party that the interroga<strong>to</strong>ry or request for production was overly broad,<br />

burdensome, oppressive and irrelevant is not adequate <strong>to</strong> voice a successful objection,” and that<br />

evidence or affidavits are required <strong>to</strong> support such objections); see also Kooima v. Zacklift<br />

Intern., Inc., 209 F.R.D. 444, 447 (D. S.D. 2002) (“boilerplate objections are unacceptable”).<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

This information is readily available within <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s record keeping system and can be<br />

produced without the extraordinary effort implied by the carrier. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>, after all, chose<br />

the methods by which it creates, s<strong>to</strong>res, and maintains claim documents and information and<br />

cannot now be heard <strong>to</strong> complain of the expense associated with producing them.<br />

In its Rule 26 Disclosures, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> identified Daniel O’Connor and Veronica<br />

DeVoe as witnesses likely <strong>to</strong> possess knowledge relative <strong>to</strong> the application, brokering,<br />

placement, procurement and submissions related <strong>to</strong> the Policy. The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s requested in their<br />

September 30, 2010, letter that the Defendant confirm that no other of <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s<br />

Employees or Agents (as those terms are defined in the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries),<br />

former or current, participated in the offer, negotiation, sale, assembly, or preparation of the<br />

Policy. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has not responded.<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 3: Identify every one of Your employees or Agents, former or<br />

current, who was or is involved, directly or indirectly, in the investigation,<br />

handling, review, adjustment and/or analysis of the Claims, and with respect <strong>to</strong><br />

each such Person, please identify that person, describe the nature of his or her<br />

involvement, the Date(s) of that involvement, and position held at the time of his<br />

or her involvement and presently. If the Person is no longer employed by You,<br />

and You do not know the Person’s current whereabouts, please provide the<br />

Person’s last known address, telephone number, and date of birth.<br />

Answer <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 3: George T. Glavas, Esq., Natalia Ron, Esq.<br />

As described in Defendant’s Rule 26 Initial Disclosure, Mr. Glavas responded on<br />

behalf of the insurer <strong>to</strong> the initial notice received on or about 3/8/07. Ms. Ron<br />

responded on behalf of the carrier following the notification received from<br />

At<strong>to</strong>rney James Middle<strong>to</strong>n on 7/2/09.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Better Answer<br />

The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s requested in their September 30, 2010, letter that the Defendant confirm<br />

that no other of <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>’s supervisors, direc<strong>to</strong>rs, managers, or administra<strong>to</strong>rs, former or<br />

current, were involved in the investigation, handling, review, adjustment and/or analysis of the<br />

Claims, as those terms are defined in the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong><br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

has not responded.<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 5: Please quote verbatim any provision of the Policy upon<br />

which you rely <strong>to</strong> limit or exclude coverage in this matter. With respect <strong>to</strong> each<br />

such provisions, identify who drafted that provision, and state the date when it<br />

was first used by You.<br />

Answer <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 5: Please refer <strong>to</strong> the at issue policy, Endorsement<br />

#2, Paragraphs 2a and 3. See, also, Section C “Exclusions,” Paragraphs f.i. and<br />

f.ii. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>s is unable <strong>to</strong> identify the person or persons who drafted the<br />

provisions referenced above and, likewise, is unable <strong>to</strong> provide the date these<br />

provisions were first used in an <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> policy. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> can state,<br />

however, that the policy form and the endorsement were not available for<br />

inclusion in insurance policies, in general, until June and July, 2005, respectively.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Better Answer<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> states that it is “unable <strong>to</strong> identify the person or persons who drafted the<br />

provisions referenced above and, likewise, is unable <strong>to</strong> provide the date these provisions were<br />

first used in an <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> policy.”<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong>, however, has a duty in this District <strong>to</strong><br />

ensure that a “reasonably inquiry” has been made, “including a review of documents likely <strong>to</strong><br />

have information necessary <strong>to</strong> respond <strong>to</strong> interroga<strong>to</strong>ries.” Middle District Discovery (2001) at<br />

16. The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s requested in their September 30, 2010, letter that the Defendant identify and<br />

describe the efforts employed by <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>to</strong> comply with this requirement. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong><br />

has not responded.<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 6: Identify every one of Your employees or Agents, former or<br />

current, who has been deposed or who has otherwise testified in the past five (5)<br />

years concerning the construction, interpretation, meaning or application of any<br />

Policy provisions that You intend <strong>to</strong> rely on <strong>to</strong> limit or avoid coverage in this<br />

litigation or that You intend <strong>to</strong> rely on in support of any of Your affirmative<br />

defenses.<br />

Answer <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 6: <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> is not aware of the identities of<br />

former or current agents who may have testified in the past five (5) years<br />

regarding the subject mater described in this Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> does<br />

not maintain records that would permit it <strong>to</strong> identify such employees or agents as<br />

described in the Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry. Despite the foregoing, as the construction,<br />

interpretation, meaning and application of the policy terms at issue herein are<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

questions of law for the Court and, therefore, the testimony of such individuals<br />

regarding their understanding of the construction, interpretation, meaning or<br />

application of the policy terms is irrelevant and immaterial <strong>to</strong> this proceeding.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Better Answer<br />

See Reason(s) <strong>to</strong> Compel Better Answers <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry Nos. 2 and 5; Reason(s) <strong>to</strong><br />

Compel Production of Request Nos. 11 and 12.<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 7: Identify any appraiser, adjuster, accountant, consultant, or<br />

other professional retained, contacted, or used by You in connection with the<br />

Claims, and include the name of any entity that employed that Person at the<br />

relevant time. Also state whether that Person provided You with any reports,<br />

draft reports, pho<strong>to</strong>graphs, diagrams, sketches, estimates, videotapes, renderings,<br />

measurements or other information, Documents or calculations. If so, describe<br />

the nature of the information provided and provide the Dates on which these<br />

Documents were provided <strong>to</strong> You.<br />

Answer <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 7: Claims professionals used by <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> in<br />

connection with the notice and the claim were George T. Glavas, Esq. and Natalia<br />

Ron, Esq.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Better Answer<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has only partially responded <strong>to</strong> this interroga<strong>to</strong>ry. The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s requested<br />

in their September 30, 2010, letter that the carrier identify whether George T. Glavas, Esq. and/or<br />

Natalia Ron, Esq. provided <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> with any reports, draft reports, pho<strong>to</strong>graphs, diagrams,<br />

sketches, estimates, videotapes, renderings, measurements or other information, Documents or<br />

calculations (as those terms are defined in the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries). And if so,<br />

<strong>to</strong> describe the nature of the information provided and the Dates on which those Documents were<br />

provided. <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> has chosen not <strong>to</strong> respond.<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 8: Identify every third party with whom You communicated<br />

regarding the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s and/or the Policy and/or the Claims, and describe the<br />

subject and substance of those Communications.<br />

Answer <strong>to</strong> Interroga<strong>to</strong>ry No. 8: Prior <strong>to</strong> the denial of coverage for the claim,<br />

<strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> had received and transmitted communications with the<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>/insured, Herbert <strong>Williams</strong>, his insurance agent and at<strong>to</strong>rneys for the<br />

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CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

<strong>Plaintiff</strong>/insured in the underlying litigation including, but not limited <strong>to</strong>, James<br />

Middle<strong>to</strong>n and Deb Kurcher. The subject matter of such communications,<br />

generally, included matters relating <strong>to</strong> the filing of the initial complaint, the<br />

second amended complaint, notification of the settlement, the insured’s obligation<br />

<strong>to</strong> defend and an allocation of defense expenses. Subsequent <strong>to</strong> the 8/20/09 denial<br />

of the claim for coverage, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> communicated with counsel, Joel Adler.<br />

The subject and substance of those communications is protected by the at<strong>to</strong>rneyclient<br />

and work product privileges. The nature of the communications <strong>to</strong>ok the<br />

form of e-mails, telephone conversations and correspondence, all of which were<br />

performed in anticipation of litigation relative <strong>to</strong> the denial of coverage for the<br />

underlying claim.<br />

Reason(s) To Compel Better Answer<br />

See Reason(s) <strong>to</strong> Compel Production of Request No. 2.<br />

III.<br />

CONCLUSION<br />

The <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s, Herbert <strong>Williams</strong> and Florida Hydro, Inc., respectfully request that this<br />

Court enter an Order (a) overruling the objections raised by Defendant, <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> Insurance<br />

Company, with respect <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Request for Production and First Set of<br />

Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries; (b) <strong>compel</strong>ling <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>to</strong> immediately produce all withheld discovery that<br />

is the subject of the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Request for Production; (c) <strong>compel</strong>ling <strong>Illinois</strong> <strong>Union</strong> <strong>to</strong><br />

immediately provide better answers <strong>to</strong> the <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s’ First Set of Interroga<strong>to</strong>ries; and (d)<br />

awarding any further relief this Court deems equitable, just and proper.<br />

Respectfully submitted,<br />

VER PLOEG & LUMPKIN, P.A.<br />

100 S.E. Second Street, Thirtieth Floor<br />

Miami, FL 33131-2158<br />

(305) 577-3996 (305) 577-3558 facsimile<br />

By:<br />

/s/ R. Hugh Lumpkin, Esq.<br />

R. Hugh Lumpkin<br />

Florida Bar No. 308196<br />

hlumpkin@vpl-law.com<br />

Ashley B. Hacker<br />

Florida Bar No. 71924<br />

ahacker@vpl-law.com<br />

Counsel for <strong>Plaintiff</strong>s<br />

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Case 3:10-cv-00518-TJC-JBT Document 12 Filed 10/28/10 Page 25 of 25<br />

CASE NO. 3:10-cv-518-J-32JBT<br />

CERTIFICATION OF GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO CONFER<br />

Pursuant <strong>to</strong> Local Rule 3.01(g), and as evidenced by the attached correspondence<br />

(Composite Exhibit A), undersigned counsel certifies that they have conferred with opposing<br />

counsel in a good faith effort <strong>to</strong> resolve the issues raised in this <strong>motion</strong>, but have been unable <strong>to</strong><br />

reach a resolution.<br />

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE<br />

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a true and correct copy of the foregoing was electronically<br />

filed with the Clerk of Court on this 28 day of Oc<strong>to</strong>ber and served on all counsel of record via<br />

CM/ECF electronic filing.<br />

/s/ R. Hugh Lumpkin, Esq.<br />

R. Hugh Lumpkin, Esq.<br />

SERVICE LIST<br />

Joel Adler, Esq.<br />

Robert Scott Newman, Esq.<br />

MARLOW, CONNELL, ABRAMS, ADLER, NEWMAN & LEWIS<br />

4000 Ponce De Leon Boulevard, Suite 570<br />

Coral Gables, Florida 33146<br />

95488_1 Page 25 of 25<br />

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