Supreme Court of California

In finding that sound public policy required coverage for imminent as well as actual collapse of decks attached to a home, lest dangerous conditions go uncorrected, the court of appeal failed to apply the plain, unambiguous language of a homeowner's insurance policy.

Appellate Information

• Decided 06/12/2003
• Published 06/12/2003

Judges

• BROWN, J.

Court

• Supreme Court of California

Counsel

• For Appellees:
  
•  Robie & Matthai, James R. Robie, Michael J. O'Neill, Los Angeles;  Dunn Koes, Pamela E. Dunn and Daniel J. Koes, Pasadena, for Defendant and Appellant., Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal, Paul E.B. Glad and Cheryl Dyer Berg, San Francisco, for National Association of Independent Insurers, United Services Automobile Association and Fireman's Fund-Insurance Company as Amici Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Deborah J. La Fetra, Sacramento, for Pacific Legal Foundation as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Morton, Lulofs & Wood, William R. Morton and Karen D. Marcus, Richmond, for California State Automobile Association Inter Insurance Bureau as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Horvitz & Levy, Barry R. Levy and Peter Abrahams, Encino, for Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, Truck Insurance Exchange, American International Companies and Personal Insurance Federation of California as Amici Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Hancock Rothert & Bunshoft, William J. Baron and Kathryn C. Ashton, San Francisco, for London Market Insurers as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Summers & Shives, Robert V. Closson and Pamela A. Mckay, San Diego, for Professional Association of Specialty Contractors as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Wiley Rein & Fielding, Laura A. Foggan, John C. Yang, Ederlina Y. Co;  Sinnott, Dito, Moura & Puebla, Randolph P. Sinnott and JoLynn M. Pollard  for Complex Insurance Claims Litigation Association as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Appellant., Verboon, Milstein & Peter and Wayne S. Kreger for Plaintiff and Respondent., Chipman Miles & Associates, Chipman Miles, Walnut Creek, Brian Miles and Joel M. Westbrook for United Policyholders as Amicus Curiae on behalf of Plaintiff and Respondent.