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THE PORT OF PORT ANGELES v. CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD'S LONDON Et Al Complaint
THE PORT OF PORT ANGELES v. CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT LLOYD'S LONDON Et Al Complaint
EXHIBIT 1
F I LE D
CLA-LLAM COUNTY
IIEGEWED
jAN 12 Z015
FEB 2 7 2015
1NSURANCE
CpMM1SStONER
a
S
G
IN TI-iE SUPERIOR COURT OF TI;IE STATE OF WASHINGTON
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IN AND FOR THE COUNTY Or CLALLAM
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I1
Plaintiff,
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V.
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F;
E'
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POR'.C'S COMPLAINT - I
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The Port of Port Angeles (the "Port"), by and tlirougli its attorneys, by way of
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INTRODUCTION
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1.
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This is an action for (a) contract damages based on the defense and
indeninifieation provisions of the liability insurance policies sold by the defendants and/or
14, their predecessors in interest to the Port, sucll damages consisting of property damage
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enviroiimental contamination at the MTA Sitc, K Ply Site, and West Hatbor Site
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(collectively "sites") and other related activities; (b) a declaratory judgment adjudicating
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the iespective rights, duties, and obligations of the parties under the liability insuranee
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policies sold by the defendants or their predecessors to tlte Port; and (c) costs and
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of law.
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TIIE PARTIES
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tlYe
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principal placc of busincss in 1'ort Angeles, Washington. The Port is the owner of
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POR'I''S CQZvIPLAINT - 2
206-621-1433
substantial rcal property including property fronting on the Port AtigeIcs Harbor in
3.
Thc defcndants ai-e insuiance carriers, whicll at all times relevant to this
action were engagcd in the business of selling primaly, umbrella an.d/or excess liability
insurance polices.
4.
their predecessors issued prinlaly, umbrella and/or excess liability insurance policies to
the Port. Ccrtain Underwriters at Lloyd's, Lonclon and Ccrtain London Market Insurers
("LMI") issued primaly, umbrella and/or excess liability policies to the Port from 1966
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througla 1988. General Accident Fire & Life Assurance issued primary, umbrella and/or
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excess liability policies to the Port from May 16, 1961 to 1969. Travelers Indemnity
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Colnpany ("'f'ravelers") issued prinlazy, umbrclla and/or excess liability policies to the
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Port from 1969 to 1972. General Insurance Company of Anierica issued priinary,
14 . wnbrella and/or exeess liability policies to the Port fiom Januaiy 7, 1979 to 1982.
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5.
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6.
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nacnes of the defendants presently known to the Port and, to the extent the Port has
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Upon iliformation and belief, iione of the defendants are residents of or are dorrlicilcd
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within the state of Washington, but all have ti-ansacted business within the state. There may
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be otlier applicable policies which have been isstued by the defendants or their
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PORT'S COMPLAINT - 3
predecessors to the Port fiom time to time, which are presently unlcnown to fihe 1'ort,
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Exhibit A may be amended as additional applicable policies are discovered and as the
currently known states or countries of incorporation and the principal places of business
are determined.
,IURISDICTION AND VENUE
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'1 his Court lias suhject matter jurisdiction over this declaratoiy judgment
action under RC W 7.24.010, et seq. because a real and ,justiciable controversy exists.
FuIther, this Court has.personal jurisdiction because the defendants or their predecessors
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8.
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substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims brought in this action
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occurrcd in Clailam County, which is also the situs of the dainaged property that has giveli
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14!
15,
9.
From at least 1966, defcndants or their predccessors sold to the Port celtain
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prinlary, umbrella and/or excess liability insurance policies, including those policies set
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forth in I;xhibit T3, and possibly otliers ("Policies). I;xhibit B, attached hereto and
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incorporated herein by rcference, sets fortll the applicable policy nuxnbers and periods of
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10.
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'I'he Port paid all premiums due and owing under the Policies and complied
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Certain environmental liabilities have been asserted against the Port (the
"Environmental Liabilities") by the federal and/or statc governments and\or other parties
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TI-il:?NnDL1;R LAW GROUI'hl1c
PORT'S COMPLAINT - 4
t'AC:II'ic 13U11.,DING
720 "fhircl Avenite, Suite 1400
SI=A7'11.13, WASI-IING"1'ON 98104
206-621-1433
(collectively, the "Environtnental Claimants"). These parties assert that the Port is liable
for the invcstigation and remediation of property damage resulting froin environmental
contamination at the sites referred to by the Port as Marine Trades Area Site ("MTA
Site"), tlie K Ply Site, and the Western Harbor Sedimcnts Site, located in Port Angelcs,
Washington.
12.
othel tliings, chemicals, minerals, waste, by-products and/or other substances (eollectively
owned or operated by the Port. The Environmental Claimants allege that the I-Iazardous
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waters, and/or natural resources, and that the actual or potential contaminatioti resulting
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fiona the prescnce of and migration of Hazardous Substances at or near thc sites may
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The Cnvironmental Claimants souglit and still seek to require the Port to
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investigate, monitor, survey, test and gather information to identify and evaluate the
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existence of property damage including daniage to the environment and danger to the
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14,
'I'lie I;nvironmental Liabilities and the sums expended to date by the Port in
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contlectlon Wlth the Erivlronmental Liabilities fall within the coverage of the Policies
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failing to comply with Washington regulations regarding such matters, and by failing to
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fillfill their duties to timely investigate the Port's claims, determine coverage and
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PORT'S COMPLAINT - 5
indemnify t.he Port for ccllain expenses it lias incurred as a result of the Environmental
2 II Liabilities.
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16.
In aecordancc with the poliey terms and conditions, the Port notified the
defendants and/or their predecessors of claims with respect to certain insurance policics.
17.
In responsc to the Port's claim for its environtnental liabilities at the MTA
site, 'Travelers denied coverage. The MTA site was later divided into two sites, the MTA
site and the K Ply site. Travelers has not Lnade a coverage determination with respect to
the K Ply site. The retnaining defendants accepted the Port's tender of the defense of its
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environmental liabilities at the MTA site and the K Ply site under reservations of rights,
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incli+ding thc rights to deny coverage and to seel< reimbursement of payments made to or
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on the POrt's behalf. Despite being provided notice of the Port's claims more thaii twenty
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years ago, these defendants have failed to make coverage deternlinations regarding their
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indemnity obligations with respect to the MTA and K Ply sites. In response to the Port's
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elairn fol its environmental liabilities at the Wcstern Harbor site, all of the defendants
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accepted the Port's tender of defense under reservations of rights, including the riglits to
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dcny coverage and to seek reinibursement of payments made to or on tiie Port's behalf
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llespite being provided notice of the Port's claims inore t11an three years ago, all of the
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obligations with respect to the Western 1-larbor site. All of the defendants have breached
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their enhanced duty of good faith to their insured by failing to promptly conduct an
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giving greater consideration to their own interests than those of their insured
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18.
The Port was foreed to bring this lawsuit to obtairl the benefits o its
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POR"I''S COMPLAINT - 6
insurance policies issued by the dcfendants because the defendants breached their
obligations to investigate, defend, and/or inderruiify the Port pursuant to the terms of the
Policies.
(Damages)
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substantial sums to respond to the Environmental Liabilities. "I'he Port's response costs
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include, but are not limited to, the cost to investigate and respond to the )nvironmental
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Liabilities.
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21.
The defendants assumed duties pursuant to the Policies to deferid the Port
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and to indemnify it fol- certain costs and liability incurred by reason of the Environmental
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Liabilities. By denying coverage, by failing to pay all of the Port's response costs, and/or
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by failing to make a coverage determination, the defendants llave breached these dtlties. ,
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(Declaratory ReIieQ
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The Port assei- ts that the defendants have obligations to defend and
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indemnify the Port and to pay in full the costs which are being incurred and wliieh will
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its coverage denial witli respect to the M1'A site, and by its failure to malce a coverage
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determinatiolt with respect to thc K Ply and Western Harbor site, Travelers denies that it is
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PORT'S COMPLAINT - 7
206-621-1433
1 I bound by the obligations asserted by the Port. By their failure to make a covelage
2
determination, the remaining dcfendants also deny that they are bound by the obligations
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the Port and the defendants as to the defendants' obligations to defend and to pay the costs
(Attoriiey Fees)
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As a consequence of the Port having to bring suit to obtain the benefits of its
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insurance coverage under the Policies, the defendants are liable to thc Port for its
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h'or judgnient in favor of the Port and against the defendants, jointly and
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severally, awarding damages in an alnount sufficient to conlpensate the Port for alI costs,
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fees, and expecises incurred in responding to and defending the Environmental Liabilities
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2.
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obligafiion to defeiid and indemnify the Port against all filture claims, costs, daniages, and
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3.
For a judgment in favor of the Port and against the defendants, jointly and
severally, for attorneys' fees, expenses and costs incurred in this action; for prejudgment
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PORT'S COMPLAINT - 8
and post judgment interest on all sulns awarded the Port; and for such other and further
relief as may be allowed by any provision of law or that this Court deems just and proper.
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DATED this
t'
day of January, 2015.
'I'I-IE NAllLL;R LAW GROLJP PL.I_.0
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PORT'S COMPLAINT - 9
EXHIBIT A
Place of .
Iixcorporation
Prirtcipal Place of
Business
England
London, England
England
London, England
England
London, England
Erance
Paris, France
I3oston,
Massachusetts
Dover, New
I-iampshire
1-Iarrisburg,
Pennsylvania
Canton,
Massachusetts
Defendant
I.N
Place of
Principal Place of
Incorporation Basiness
Defendant
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Hartford,
Connecticut
EXI-IIBIT B
Port of Port Angeles Primlr,y Covera,;e
Policy/ Certificate No.
Effective Dates
Insirrer
CG 366433
5/16/1961-5/16/1962
CG 366712
5/16/1 962-5/16/1963
CG 384259
5/16/1963-5/16/1964
CG 370877
5/16/1964-5/16/1965
CG 451052
5/1 6/1965-5/16/1966
CG 450793
5/16/1966-5/16/1967
GLA 36-728-14
5/16/1967-5/16/1968
GLA 37-758-04
5/1 6/1968-5/16/1969
650-2689023-IND
11/1/1972-11/1/1973
650-188A227-9-IND
1 l/1/1973-1 i/1/1974
650-188A227-9-IND-74
11/1/1974-11/1/1975
650-188A227-9-IND-78
11/1/1978-11/1/1979
Cl' 922901
I/1/1979-1/1/1982
General Insurance
Company of Ainerica
MC 5984
1/1/1982-t/1/1984
Certain Underwriters at
Lloyd's, London
MC 6023
1/1/1984-1/1/1988
Certain Underwriters at
Lloyd's, London
Effective Dates
Insuier
ST 13938
12/31/1966-12/31/1969
ST 13937
12/31/1966-12/31/1969
S"I' 13934
11/18/1966-12/31/1966
CtIP-189A750-A
I l./1/1973-11/1 /1 974
CUP-189A750-8-74
11/1/1974-11/1/1975
JSL 1025
12/31/1977-12/31/1979
JSL1070
12/31/1979-12/31/1980
JS1_. 1091
12/31/1980-12/31/1983
JSL 1142
12/31/1983-12/31/1986
13-2
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Plaintiff,
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NO.
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CERTAIN UNDERWRITERS AT
LLOYD'S, LONDON AND CERTAIN
LONDON MARKET COMPANIES,
BRITISH LAW INSURANCE
COMPANY, LTD., COMMERCIAL
UNION ASSURANCE COMPANY
P.L.C., CONTINENTAL ASSURANCE
OF LONDON, LTD., EDINBURGH
ASSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.,
EDINBURGH ASSURANCE
COMPANY, LTD. NO. 2, EDINBURGH
ASSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. NO.
3, EXCESS INSURANCE COMPANY,
LTD., INDEMNITY MARINE
INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. "T"
A/C, INSURANCE COMPANY OF
NORTH AMERICA, LA REUNION
FRANCAISE S.A. D'ASSURANCES
ET DES REASSURANCES, LA
REUNION FRANCAISE S.A.
D'ASSURANCES ET DES
REASSURANCES "PL" A/C, LIBERTY
MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY,
DECLARATION REGARDING EMAIL TRANSMISSION
Re: PORT OF PORT ANGELES' COMPLAINT FOR
DAMAGES AND DECLARATORY JUDGMENT
DECLARATION REGARDING
E-MAIL TRANSMISSION
GR 17(a)(2)
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NORTHERN ASSURANCE
COMPANY LTD., NORTHERN
MARITIME INSURANCE COMPANY,
LTD., OCEAN MARINE INSURANCE
COMPANY, LTD., OCEAN MARINE
INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD. T A/C,
ONEBEACONINSURANCE
COMPANY, PHOENIX ASSURANCE
PUBLIC COMPANY LTD.,
PROVINCIAL INSURANCE
COMPANY, LTD., THREADNEEDLE
INSURANCE COMPANY, THE
TRAVELERS INDEMNITY
COMPANY
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I declare under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington that
the foregoing is true and correct.
DATED this 12th day of January, 2015, at Port Angeles, Washington.
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SIMON BARNHART
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Case 3:15-cv-05180-KLS
Document 1-2 Filed 03/26/15 Page 17 of 33
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PFliEIVED
F8 2 7 2015
INSURANCE
C.OMMfSSIONER
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Plaintiff,
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NO. 15-2-00027-9
V.
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CERTAIN tJNDF..,RWRITERS AT
LLOYD'S, LONDON, ASSICURAZIONI
GENERALI S.P.A., BALOISE
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INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD., BRITISI
LAW INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.,
17 BRITISII LAW INSURANCE COMPANY
L'TD. NO. 2 A/C, COMMERCIAL UNION
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COMMERCIAL UNION ASSURANCE
COMPANY P.L.C., CONTINENTAL
19 ASSURANCI_; OF LONDON, LTD.,
EDINBURGH ASSURANCE COMPANY,
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LTD., EDINBURGH ASSURANCE
COMPANY, LTD. NO. 2, EDINBtJRGH
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ASSURANCE COMPANY, LTD, NO. 3,
EXCESS INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD.
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INDEMNITY MARINE ASSURANCE
COMPANY, I.,TD. "T" A/C, INDEMNITY
23 ' MARINE INSURANCE COMPANY, LTD
"T"A/C, INSURANCE COMPANY OF
24 NORTI-I
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Tl-IL' NADLLR LAW GRUUPrt.l.c
Pacific 13uilding
720 Ttiird Avenue, Sttite 1400
206-621-1433
Iwitlers(~!)nad I erlaivgrou p, com
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Defendants
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The Port of Port Angeles (the "Port"), by way of complaint alleges as follows:
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INTRODUCTION
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1.
a.
seeks:
primary, excess, and/or umbrella liability insurance policies issued by the defendants or
by the Port for property damages in the form of environmental contamination and/or
b.
C.
d.
Costs and attorneys' fees incurred by the Port in bringing this action and
THE PARTIES
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2.
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principal place of business in Port Angeles, Washington. The Port is the owner and/or
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lessee of substantial real property including property fronting on the Port Angeles Harbor
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3.
The defendants are insurance carriers and/or successors for same, which at
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all times relevant to this action were engaged in the business of selling or managing
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claims for primary, umbrella and/or excess liability insurance polices. Upon information
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and belief, none of the defendants are residents of or are domiciled within the state of
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4.
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corporation organized under the laws of the State of Connecticut, with its principal place
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of business in Hartford, Connecticut. Travelers is, and at all times relevant to this
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5.
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Massachusetts, with its principal
THE NADLER LAW GROUP PLLc
Pacific Building
720 Third Avenue, Suite 1400
Seattle, Washington 98104
206-621-1433
Iwaters@nadlerlawgroup.com
place of business in Dover, New Hampshire. Upon information and belief, Liberty
Mutual is, and at all times relevant to this Complaint was, an authorized insurer in the
State of Washington.
6.
corporation organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania, with its principal
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London Market Insurance policies at issue in this case. Exhibit A, attached hereto and
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incorporated by reference, sets forth the names of the LMI defendants presently known
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to the Port and, to the extent the Port has knowledge, their states or countries of
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incorporation, and principal places of business. There may be other applicable policies
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which have been issued by the LMI defendants to the Port from time to time, which are
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policies are discovered and as the currently known states or countries of incorporation
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8.
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organized under the laws of the State of Nebraska, with its principal place of business in
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Omaha, Nebraska. NICO is, and at all times relevant to this Complaint was, an
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authorized insurer in the State of Washington. Upon information and belief, NICO is the
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including Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London, with respect to the London Market
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9.
portions of, or all of, one or more of the London Market insurance policies at issue in
this case. As discussed in more detail below, Equitas reinsured the liability of those
syndicates and Names, and under English law, Equitas has been statutorily novated for
the syndicates and Names with respect to the London Market insurance policies at issue
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or their predecessors and/or reinsureds issued primary, umbrella and/or excess liability
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insurance policies to the Port. General Accident Fire & Life Assurance issued primary,
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umbrella and/or excess liability policies to the Port from prior to May 16, 1961 to 1969.
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The LMI defendants issued primary, umbrella and/or excess liability policies to the Port
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from at least 1966 through 1988. Travelers issued primary, umbrella and/or excess
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liability policies to the Port from at least 1972 to 1978. General Insurance Company of
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America issued primary, umbrella and/or excess liability policies to the Port from 1979
16 to 1982.
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11.
NICO is liable to the Port for all benefits the Port is entitled to from certain
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of the LMI defendants under the London Market policies at issue in this case. On
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information and belief, NICO is also liable to the Port along with LMI for the bad faith
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12.
This Court has subject matter jurisdiction pursuant to RCW 2.08.010 and
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RCW 7.24.010, et seq. Further, the Court has subject matter jurisdiction over this
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authorized insurer in the State of Washington and/or sold insurance to the Port in
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substantial part of the events or omissions giving rise to the claims brought in this action
occurred in Clallam County, which is also the situs of the damaged property that has
JURY DEMAND
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15.
THE POLICIES
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16.
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the Port certain primary, umbrella and/or excess liability insurance policies, including
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those policies set forth in Exhibit B, and possibly others ("Policies"). The Port's claims
14 I in this matter extend to any and all such additional policies as may become known to the
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The Port paid all premiums due and owing under the Policies and complied
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with all applicable conditions of each of the Policies, including all conditions precedent
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to coverage, if any.
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POLICIES
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18. Equitas has been working since 1996 to achieve "finality" for the Names
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(Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London) by extinguishing their long tail liability under
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the 1992 and prior non-life liability insurance they underwrote ("Business").
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of the Names' rights and obligations under the policies and undertaking to administer
2 II the Business.
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Agreement"), ERL retroceded the liability for the reinsurance and administration of the
run-off Names' Business to Equitas Limited ("EL") and EL assumed all of the Names'
rights and obligations under the policies and undertook to administer the Business and
7 Run-off.
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21. By yet another separate written agreement dated November 10, 2006
(Retrocession and Run-off Agreement") EL retroceded its liability for the reinsurance of
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ERL and the Names, along with the obligation to administer the run-off of the Names'
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Business to NICO, and NICO assumed all of the rights and obligations under the
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policies and undertook to administer the Business and Run-off, all of which was subject
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to the English Court's approval of the Part VII Transfer and certain other conditions, all
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22. The November 10, 2006 Retrocession and Run-off Agreement also
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provided that EL delegated responsibility for the administration of the run-off of the
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English Court's approval of the Part VII Transfer and certain other conditions, again all
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of which have come to pass. Equitas Holdings Limited ("EHL") the owner of EL, ERL
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and EMSL, promised in the same agreement to transfer full ownership of EMSL to
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NICO subject to the same conditions which have come to pass. The agreement required
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NICO to change the name of EMSL to some different name which does not include the
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word "Equitas". NICO changed the name of EMSL to Resolute Management Services
24 Limited.
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all responsibilities of the Names to deal directly with insureds, to service and administer
the contracts of insurance, and to adjust and pay the insured's claims for all benefits
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which the Port of Port Angeles is one such policyholder), that "you will have no further
claims, as a matter of English law, against the Names who underwrote your policies at
Lloyd's. ... Instead of your claims against the Names you will have claims against an
FSA authorised company..." Similarly, Equitas Holdings Limited has proclaimed to the
Names that "... no Name has any further liability whatsoever, under English law, in
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respect of 1992 and prior non-life Lloyd's liabilities. ... In the unlikely event that
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enforce that claim in any court of the EEA to recover it from any Name. ... Now that we
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have achieved finality under English law, [Equitas] believe[s] `the long day's task is
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done......
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25.
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Management) has serviced portions or all of the Port's LMI insurance policies and
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served as the primary point of contact for matters related to the Port's environmental
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26.
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reinsurers of the Port (or are otherwise successors in interest to the Names and
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Syndicates that underwrote the Port's policies), and thus are liable to the Port for all
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benefits the Port is entitled to from defendants Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's, London,
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under the Port's London Market insurance policies at issue in this case.
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27.
The Port has incurred, and will continue to incur, liability for third party
THE NADLER LAW GROUP Pr.t,c
Pacific Building
720 Third Avenue, Suite 1400
Seattle, Washington 98104
206-621-1433
lwaters@nadlerlawgroup.com
contamination at the Marine Trades Area ("MTA") Site, the K Ply Site, and the Western
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28.
accidents that took place during the policy periods for each of the Policies.
29. Third party property damage, in the form of alleged damage to natural
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30.
The Port neither expected nor intended the releases or the resulting
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failing to fulfill their duties to defend and/or indemnify the Port for certain expenses it
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has incurred as a result of its environmental liabilities at the Sites, and by generally
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placing their own economic interests ahead of those of the Port, their insured.
DEFENDANTS' LIABILITY FOR EXPENSES OF SUIT
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32.
In accordance with the policy terms and conditions, the Port notified the
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defendants and/or their predecessors or reinsureds of the Port's claims with respect to the
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MTA site (which was later divided into two sites: the MTA Site and the K Ply Site) in
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1993. Defendant Travelers denied coverage for the Port's environmental liabilities at the
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MTA site. Defendant Travelers has not made a coverage determination for the Port's
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environmental liabilities at the K Ply site. Defendants OneBeacon, Liberty Mutual, and
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LMI accepted the Port's tender of defense for the MTA and K Ply sites under
reservations of rights, including the rights to deny coverage and seek reimbursement of
on behalf of the Port. Defendants OneBeacon, Liberty Mutual, and LMI have failed to
make a determination regarding their duty to indemnify the Port under their respective
policies. Despite receiving notice of the Port's claims for the MTA site more than twenty
years ago, defendants OneBeacon, Liberty Mutual, and LMI have failed to make a
coverage determination regarding their duty to indemnify the Port under their respective
policies.
33.
In accordance with the policy terms and conditions, the Port notified the
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defendants and/or their predecessors or reinsureds of the Port's claims with respect to the
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Harbor Site by 2011. Defendants Travelers, OneBeacon, Liberty Mutual, and LMI
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accepted the Port's tender of defense for the Harbor Site under reservations of rights,
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including the rights to deny coverage and seek reimbursement of payments (including
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Despite receiving notice of the Port's claims for the Harbor site more than three years
16 . ago, defendants Travelers, OneBeacon, Liberty Mutual, and LMI have failed to make a
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determination regarding their duty to indemnify the Port under their respective policies.
34.
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allowing the passage of time to potentially prejudice the Port's ability to prove elements
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of coverage at trial.
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35.
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giving greater consideration to their own interests than those of their insured.
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36.
Over the course of handling the Port's claims, the defendants violated
other standards provided for in WAC 284-30, et seq., which sets forth Washington's.
37. The Port has been harmed by the defendants' bad faith actions and
inactions in handling the Port's claims. Among other things, the Port has incurred
attorney fees to address the wrongful actions and to bring this lawsuit to obtain the
benefits of its insurance policies because of the defendants' failure to respond to,
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38.
The Port was forced to bring this lawsuit to obtain the benefits of its
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.(Damages)
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39.
The Port incorporates the allegations of the above paragraphs as if fully set
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40. The Port was required to expend, and continues to be required to expend
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substantial sums arising from its environmental liabilities at the Sites. The Port's
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response costs include, but are not limited to, the cost to investigate and remediate the
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41.
22 I pursuant to the Policies to defend the Port and to indemnify it for certain costs and
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expenses arising from the Port's environmental liabilities at the Sites. These defendants
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(Declaratory Relief)
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The Port incorporates the allegations of the above paragraphs as if fully set
4 II forth herein.
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43.
The Port asserts that the defendants have obligations to defend and
indemnify the Port and to pay in full the costs which are being incurred and which will
continue to be incurred by the Port in connection with its environmental liabilities at the
determinations, the defendants deny that they are bound by the obligations asserted by
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the Port.
44.
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the Port and the defendants as to the defendants' obligations to defend and indemnify the
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Port for all costs arising out of its environmental liabilities at the Sites.
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(Bad Faith)
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45.
The Port incorporates the allegations of the above paragraphs as if fully set
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46.
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the insured as part of its duty of good faith. Insurers have broad obligations of fair
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dealing and a responsibility to give due consideration to the insured's interests in all
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matters. Defendants were obliged (a) to promptly conduct a thorough investigation and
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to inform the Port of all developments relevant to claims of coverage, (b) to make a final
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coverage determination, and (c) to refrain from actions demonstrating a greater concern
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for their interests than the interests of the Port, their insured. Defendants breached their
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enhanced duties of good faith by the actions and inactions alleged above.
47. Defendants' bad faith conduct has proximately caused damage to the Port
in an amount to be proven at trial. The Port is further entitled to costs and attorneys' fees
expended in seeking to compel defendants to provide the full benefit of the insurance
4 policies.
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48.
The Port incorporates the allegations of the above paragraphs as if fully set
8 II forth herein.
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49.
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agents have engaged in multiple unfair and deceptive acts including without limitation
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one or more of the following: (1) Failing to adopt and implement reasonable standards
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for the prompt investigation of claims; (2) Failing to affirm or deny coverage of claims
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within a reasonable time; (3) Failing to complete the investigation of the Port's claims
14' within thirty days after notification of the claims; (4) Failing to make a coverage
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determination in writing within fifteen working days after receipt by the insurer of fully
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completed and executed proofs of loss; (5) Failing to commence an investigation within
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fifteen days into their records, to determine the issuance, and relevant terms and
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conditions of the lost policies; (6) Failing to provide to the Port facts known or
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knowledge of facts related to the issuance or existence of lost policies; (7) Failing to
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provide the Port with copies of documents establishing facts related to the lost policies;
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days after receipt of a notice of an environmental claim; (9) Failing to cooperate with
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the Port in the investigation of the environmental claims at issue in this litigation; (10)
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Failing to make payments, under their duty to defend, for costs reasonably incurred in an
the extent of the contamination; and (11) such conduct as shall appear through discovery
50.
5 I faith and unfair and deceptive business practices which were committed in the conduct
6 I of trade or commerce.
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51.
The defendants are engaged in a business which affects the public interest
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et. seq., and WAC 284-30-930, et seq., and are per se violations of the Washington
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53.
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statutes and regulations containing legislative declaration of public interest impact and
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because defendants' actions were conducted in the course of their business as part of a
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pattern and practice that have and will be repeated in adjusting other insurance claims,
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54.
Defendants' wrongful conduct has caused injury to the Port in its business
and property and has hindered its ability to defend itself adequately against the statutory
19 environmental liabilities.
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55.
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the costs of this litigation, including attorneys' fees; and exemplary damages to the extent
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(Attorney Fees)
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56.
The Port incorporates the allegations of the above paragraphs as if fully set
1 II forth herein.
57. As a consequence of the Port having to bring suit to obtain the benefits of
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its insurance coverage under the Policies, the defendants are liable to the Port for the
attorney fees and costs the Port incurred in bringing this suit and any petition for further
relief to enforce the orders and judgments entered during this action.
REQUEST FOR RELIEF
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58.
For judgment in favor of the Port and against the defendants, jointly and
severally, awarding damages in an amount sufficient to compensate the Port for all costs,
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fees, and expenses incurred in responding to and defending the environmental liabilities
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59.
obligation to defend and indemnify the Port against all future claims, costs, damages, and
14' adverse judgments and awards arising from the environmental liabilities at the Sites.
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60.
For a judgment in favor of the Port and against the defendants, jointly and
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severally for the Port's damages caused by bad faith conduct in an amount to be proven
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at trial;
61.
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For a judgment in favor of the Port and against the defendants, jointly and
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62. For a judgment in favor of the Port and against the defendants, jointly and
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severally, for attorneys' fees, expenses and costs incurred in this action as allowed under
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Olympic Steamship, the Consumer Protection Act, and other applicable law;
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63.
For prejudgment and post judgment interest on all sums awarded the Port;
64.
For such other and further relief as may be allowed by any provision of law
24 and
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Pacific Building
720 Third Avenue, Suite 1400
Seattle, Washington 98104
206-621-1433
lwaters@nadlerlawgroup.com
3i
DATED this
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THE NADLER LAW GROUP PLLC
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THE NADLER LAW GROUP PLLC
Pacific Building
720 Third Avenue, Suite 1400
Seattle, Washington 98104
206-621-1433
lwaters@nadlerlawgroup.com