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ALLSTATE INSURANCE COMPANY, Plaintiff-Respondent, v. Christopher SWANSON, Defendant, Wendy Wilcox, Individually and as Parent and Natural Guardian of Zakary S.C., an Infant, and Jackey C., Individually and as Parent and Natural Guardian of Zakary S.C., an Infant, Defendants-Appellants.
Plaintiff commenced this action seeking judgment declaring that it has no duty to defend or indemnify Christopher Swanson (defendant) in the underlying personal injury action brought against him by defendants Wendy Wilcox and Jackey C. (defendant parents). Defendant shot an arrow from a compound bow at defendant parents' son, striking him in the eye. As a result of the incident, defendant pleaded guilty to assault in the first degree (Penal Law § 120.10[3] ), and plaintiff, which had issued a homeowners' policy to defendant's parents, denied coverage based, inter alia, on a policy exclusion for bodily injury “intended by, or which may reasonably be expected to result from the intentional or criminal acts or omissions[ ] of an insured person.” Supreme Court properly granted plaintiff's cross motion for summary judgment and granted judgment declaring that plaintiff has no obligation to defend or indemnify defendant in the underlying personal injury action. Plaintiff submitted evidence establishing as a matter of law that the injury in question falls within the policy exclusion for injury resulting from defendant's criminal act, for which defendant was convicted, and that the injury could reasonably be expected to result from that act (see Allstate Ins. Co. v. Schimmel, 22 A.D.3d 616, 802 N.Y.S.2d 510; Kehoe v. Nationwide Mut. Fire Ins. Co., 299 A.D.2d 318, 319-320, 750 N.Y.S.2d 95; Allstate Ins. Co. v. Ruggiero, 239 A.D.2d 369, 658 N.Y.S.2d 321; cf. Allstate Ins. Co. v. Zuk, 78 N.Y.2d 41, 45-47, 571 N.Y.S.2d 429, 574 N.E.2d 1035).
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from be and the same hereby is unanimously affirmed without costs.
MEMORANDUM:
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Decided: December 21, 2007
Court: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department, New York.
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FindLaw’s Learn About the Law features thousands of informational articles to help you understand your options. And if you’re ready to hire an attorney, find one in your area who can help.
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