2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 1 of 13 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA CHARLESTON DIVISION

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1 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 1 of 13 IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA CHARLESTON DIVISION ACE American Insurance Company and ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company, Plaintiffs, CIVIL ACTION NO.: v. Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC, and MeadWestvaco Corporation, COMPLAINT FOR DECLARATORY JUDGMENT Defendants ACE American Insurance Company ( ACE American ) and ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company ( ACE Property ), pursuant to Rule 57, Fed. Rules of Civ. Procedure, and 28 U.S.C. 2201, submit the following Complaint for Declaratory Judgment and allege as follows: PARTIES 1. ACE American is an insurance company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with its principal place of business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All times relevant hereto, ACE American was in the business of writing liability insurance and was lawfully doing business in the State of South Carolina. 2. ACE Property is an insurance company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with its principal place of business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At all times relevant hereto, ACE Property was in the business of writing umbrella liability insurance and was lawfully doing business in the State of South Carolina. LEGAL\ \1

2 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 2 of Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC ( Rayonier ) is a limited liability company organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business in Jessup, Georgia. ACE is informed and believes that Rayonier is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rayonier, Inc., a North Carolina corporation with its principal place of business in Jacksonville, Florida. 4. ACE American and ACE Property are informed and believe that MeadWestvaco Corporation ( MWV ) is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware with its principal place of business in Richmond, Virginia. MWV, at all relevant times, conducted business at its facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 5. The Court has jurisdiction of the subject matter of this action pursuant to 28 U.S.C in that the amount in controversy exceeds $75,000, exclusive of interest and costs, and is between citizens of different states. 6. Venue is proper in the United States District Court, District of South Carolina in that the events giving rise to this action arose in Charleston County, South Carolina. 7. An actual case in controversy of a justiciable nature exists between the parties involving the rights and liabilities concerning certain liability insurance policies and umbrella liability insurance policies, in which litigation is imminent and inevitable, and which controversy may be determined by a judgment of this, without other, action. LEGAL\ \1 Page 2 of 13

3 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 3 of 13 NATURE OF THE ACTION 8. This is an action for declaratory judgment pursuant to Rule 57, Fed. Rules of Civ. Procedure, and 28 U.S.C to determine and resolve questions of actual controversy arising in connection with certain contracts of insurance issued by ACE American and ACE Property to Rayonier. By this action, ACE American and ACE Property seek declaratory relief to establish that ACE American and ACE Property have no obligation to defend or indemnify Rayonier for the claims set forth below. FACTS 9. ACE American issued certain Commercial General Liability policies to Rayonier as follows: Policy Number Effective Dates G /01/ /01/2007 G /01/ /01/2008 G /01/ /01/2009 G /01/ /01/2010 G /01/ /01/2011 (the Primary Policies ). 10. ACE Property issued certain Umbrella Liability Insurance policies to Rayonier as follows: Policy Number Effective Dates XOO G /01/ /31/2007 XOO G /01/ /31/2008 XOO G /01/ /31/2009 XOO G /01/ /31/2010 (the Umbrella Policies ). 11. ACE American and ACE Property are informed and believe that on or about July 1, 2006, MWV and Rayonier entered into a ten (10) year contract whereby MWV would LEGAL\ \1 Page 3 of 13

4 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 4 of 13 purchase for delivery to MWV s North Charleston, South Carolina facility, 100% of the Black Liquor Soap Skimming ( BLS ) and Crude Tall Oil ( CTO ) produced by Rayonier at its Jessup, Georgia plant. 12. ACE American and ACE Property are informed and believe that on or about September 30, 2010, MWV cancelled its contract with Rayonier, claiming that Rayonier breached the contract by furnishing defective product. 13. At or about the time that it cancelled the contract, MWV filed suit against Rayonier in the Court of Common Pleas for Charleston County, South Carolina in an action captioned Meadwestvaco Corporation v. Rayonier Performance Fibers, LLC, Civil Action No.: 10-CP (the MWV Action ). 14. MWV filed its Third Amended Complaint in the MWV Action on or about December 3, A copy of the Third Amended Complaint is attached as Exhibit A. 15. Rayonier provided notice to ACE American of the MWV Action and, as required under the above policies, began defending itself in that action. 16. On or about March 20, 2013, the Court in the MWV Action issued an Order dismissing the negligence, quantum meruit, and breach of implied warranties causes of action as alleged in the Third Amended Complaint. In dismissing MWV s negligence claim against Rayonier, the Court specifically found that Rayonier owed no duties to MWV outside the contract between MWV and Rayonier. A copy of the Court s March 20 Order is attached as Exhibit B. 17. On or about March 21, 2013, Rayonier provided notice to ACE Property of the MWV Action. LEGAL\ \1 Page 4 of 13

5 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 5 of On or about May 14, 2013, Rayonier notified ACE American that it had satisfied its self-insured retention under Policy No.: G and demanded that ACE American assume the defense of Rayonier in the MWV Action. 19. On or about April 30, 2013 ACE American issued a declination to Rayonier under the Primary Policies. 20. On or about June 26, 2013 ACE Property issued a declination to Rayonier under the Umbrella Policies. CAUSE OF ACTION DECLARATORY RELIEF 21. ACE American and ACE Property re-allege each and every allegation of Paragraph 1-20 above as though fully set forth herein. 22. MWV alleges a breach of contract against Rayonier and seeks damages arising from that alleged breach of contract. 23. MWV also alleges that Rayonier made certain intentional misrepresentations to MWV prior to and subsequent to the negotiation of the contract regarding the properties of the product being purchased by MWV. 24. The Primary Policies provide, in pertinent part, as follows: COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY COVERAGE FORM SECTION I COVERAGES COVERAGE A BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE LIABILITY 1. Insuring Agreement a. We will pay those sums that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of property damage to which this insurance applies. We will have the right and duty to defend the insured against to defend the insured against any suit seeking damages for property damage to which this insurance does not apply. b. This insurance applies to property damage only if: LEGAL\ \1 Page 5 of 13

6 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 6 of 13 (1) The property damage is caused by occurrence ; (2) The property damage occurs during the policy period. 2. Exclusions This insurance does not apply to: b. Contractual Liability [P]roperty damage for which the insured is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement. This exclusion does not apply to liability for damages: (1) That the insured would have in the absence of the contract or agreement. k. Damage To Your Product Property damage to your product arising out of it or any part of it. m. Damage To Impaired Property Or Property Not Physically Injured Property damage to impaired property or property that has not been physically injured, arising out of: Section V Definitions (1) A defect, deficiency, inadequacy or dangerous condition in your product. 8. Impaired property means tangible property, other than your product, that cannot be used or is less useful because: a. It incorporates your product that is known or thought to be defective, deficient, inadequate or dangerous; or b. You have failed to fulfill the terms of a contract or agreement; if such property can be restored to use by: a. The repair, replacement, adjustment or removal of your product ; or LEGAL\ \1 Page 6 of 13

7 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 7 of 13 b. Your fulfilling the terms of the contract or agreement. 13. Occurrence means an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions. 17. Property damage means: a. Physical injury to tangible property, including all resulting loss of use of that property. All such loss of use shall be deemed to occur at the time of the physical injury that caused it; or b. Loss of use of tangible property that is not physically injured. All such loss of use shall be deemed to occur at the time of the occurrence that caused it. 21. Your product : a. Means: (1) Any goods or products, other than real property, manufactured, sold, handled, distributed or disposed of by: (a) You. b. Includes (1) Warranties or representations made at any time with respect to the fitness, quality, durability, performance or use of your product. The Primary Policies are amended by endorsement to provide as follows: EXTENDED PROPERTY DAMAGE This endorsement modifies insurance provided under the following: COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY COVERAGE FORM Exclusion 2.a. of Section I, Coverage A, Bodily Injury and Property Damage is replaced by the following: a. [P]roperty damage expected or intended from the standpoint of the insured.. DEDUCTIBLE ENDORSEMENT (ALAE INCLUDED IN DEDUCTIBLE) THIS ENDORSEMENT MODIFIES INSURANCE PROVIDED UNDER THE FOLLOWING: LEGAL\ \1 Page 7 of 13

8 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 8 of 13 COMMERCIAL GENERAL LIABILITY COVERAGE FORM Schedule Deductible Per Occurrence $1,000,000 Claim Service Organization ESIS, Inc. 1. Our obligation to pay damages and allocated loss adjustment expense under this policy applies only to the amount of damages and allocated loss adjustment expense in excess of the Deductible amount stated in the Schedule above. The Limits of Insurance will be reduced by the amount of damages included in the Deductible. The Deductible Per Occurrence shall apply separately to: a. The sum of all damages and allocated loss adjustment expense under Coverage A arising out of any one occurrence 2. You and we mutually agree that the Claim Service Organization shown in the Schedule will provide investigation, administration, adjustment, and settlement services, and will provide for the defense of all claims or suits arising under this policy. Accordingly, you agree with us that we shall not have any duty to defend any such suit, nor to pay any allocated loss adjustment expense within the Deductible amounts with respect to any claim or suit. 3. You will pay all sums the insured becomes legally obligated to pay within the Deducible Per Occurrence. 4. We will have the right at our sole discretion: a. to pay any damages under this policy within the Deductible Per Occurrence should you fail to pay any final judgment against or settlement entered into by an insured. b. to pay any amounts within the Deductible Per Occurrence to settle any claim or suit. c. to assume the defense and control of any claim or suit seeking payment of damages under this policy that we believe will exceed the Deducible Per Occurrence; and d. to pay any allocated loss adjustment expense incurred by us associated with a. b or c. above. You shall promptly reimburse us for any sums we may have to pay under item All terms, conditions and limitations of this policy not inconsistent with this endorsement shall continue to apply. DEFINITIONS LEGAL\ \1 Page 8 of 13

9 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 9 of 13 When used in this endorsement: Deductible Per Occurrence shall mean the amount of damages and allocated loss adjustment expense, under this policy which you have a duty to pay and which arises from (i) any one occurrence to which insurance applies under this policy sustained by any one person or organization. Allocated Loss Adjustment Expense shall mean any expenses, costs, and interest provided for under Section I Coverages, Supplementary Payments Coverages A and B of this policy, or any other expenses, costs, or interest incurred in connection with the investigation, administration, adjustment, settlement or defense of any claim or suit arising under this policy, which the Claim Service Organization shown in the Schedule under its accounting practices, directly allocates to a particular claim, whether or not a payment indemnifying the claimant(s) is made. Such expenses include, but are not limited to, subrogation, all court costs, fees and expenses; fees for service of process; fees and expenses to attorneys for legal services; the cost of services to undercover operations and detectives; fees to obtain medical cost containment services, the cost of employing experts for the purpose of preparing maps, photographs, diagrams, and chemical and physical analyses or for expert advice or opinions; the cost of obtaining copies of any public records, and the cost of obtaining depositions and court reporters for or recorded statements. Allocated loss adjustment expense shall not include the salaries of our employees or our overhead or adjusters fees. 25. The Umbrella Policies provide, in pertinent part, as follows: I. INSURING AGREEMENT A. We will pay on behalf of the insured those sums in excess of the retained limit that the insured becomes legally obligated to pay as damages because of property damage to which this insurance applies. 1. This insurance applies to property damage, but only if: a. The property damage is caused by an occurrence ; b. The property damage occurs during the policy period. III. DEFENSE AND SUPPLEMENTARY PAYMENTS A. We will have the right and duty to defend the insured against any suit seeking damages for property damage, even if groundless, false or fraudulent, to which this insurance applies: LEGAL\ \1 Page 9 of 13

10 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 10 of When damages sought would be covered by underlying insurance but are not covered by that insurance because of the exhaustion of the applicable limits of underlying insurance by the payment of loss covered by this policy; or 2. When damages sought would be covered under any other insurance but are not covered by that insurance because of the exhaustion of the applicable limits of other insurance by the payment of loss covered under such other insurance ; or 3. When damages sought for property damage are not covered by underlying insurance or other insurance, or any applicable self-insured retention has been exhausted by the payment of loss covered by this policy. B. We will have no duty to defend the insured against any suit seeking damages for property damage to which this insurance does not apply. V. EXCLUSIONS This insurance does not apply to: C. Contractual Liability [P]roperty damage for which the insured is obligated to pay damages by reason of the assumption of liability in a contract or agreement. This exclusion does not apply to liability for damages: 1. That the insured would have in the absence of the contract or agreement. D. Damage to Impaired Property or Property Not Physically Injured Property damage to impaired property or property that has not been physically injured, arising out of: 1. A defect, deficiency, inadequacy or dangerous condition in your product ; or 2. A delay or failure by you or anyone acting on your behalf to perform a contract or agreement in accordance with its terms. F. Damage to Your Product Property damage to your product arising out of it or any part of it. K. Expected or Intended Injury LEGAL\ \1 Page 10 of 13

11 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 11 of 13 [P]roperty damage expected or intended from the standpoint of the insured. VII. DEFINITIONS H. Impaired property means tangible property, other than your product, that cannot be used or is less useful because: 1. It incorporates your product that is known or thought to be defective, deficient, inadequate or dangerous; or 2. You have failed to fulfill the terms of a contract or agreement: if such property can be restored to use by: 1. The repair, replacement, adjustment or removal of your product ; or 2. Your fulfilling the terms of the contract or agreement. O. Occurrence means: 1. With respect to property damage, an accident, including continuous or repeated exposure to substantially the same general harmful conditions. All such exposure to substantially the same general conditions shall be considered as arising out of the same occurrence, regardless of the frequency or repetition thereof, or the number of claimants. U. Property damage means: 1. Physical injury to tangible property,, including all resulting loss of use of that property. All such loss of use will be deemed to occur at the time of the physical injury that caused it; or 2. Loss of use of tangible property that is not physically injured. All such loss of use will be deemed to occur at the time of the occurrence that caused it. V. Retained limit means either of the following: 1. The total applicable limits of underlying insurance and any applicable limit of other insurance providing coverage to the insured. AA. Your product : 1. Means: a. Any goods or products, other than real property, manufactured, sold, handled, distributed or disposed of by: (1) You. 2. Includes: LEGAL\ \1 Page 11 of 13

12 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 12 of 13 a. Warranties or representations made at any time with respect to the fitness, quality, durability, performance or use of your product. 26. Damages alleged against Rayonier in the MWV action do not give rise to liability insurance coverage under either the Primary Policies or the Umbrella Policies. 27. The damages alleged against Rayonier in the MWV litigation do not give rise to property damage under either the Primary Policies or the Umbrella Policies. 28. The damages alleged against Rayonier in the MWV litigation do not give rise to an occurrence under either the Primary Policies or the Umbrella Policies. 29. The damages alleged against Rayonier in the MWV litigation are expressly excluded under both the Primary Policies and the Umbrella Policies. 30. Rayonier has not exhausted the deductible as required under the Primary Policies nor the retained limit as required under the Umbrella Policies. 31. Neither ACE American nor ACE Property have an obligation to defend Rayonier for the claims alleged in the MWV litigation. 32. Neither ACE American nor ACE Property have an obligation to indemnify Rayonier for the damages alleged in the MWV litigation. WHEREFORE, ACE American and ACE Property seek declaratory relief that they have no obligation to defend or indemnify Rayonier from and for the allegations made against Rayonier by MWV because a) the allegations do not give rise to liability insurance coverage; b) the allegations do not give rise to property damage under the policies; c) the allegations do not give rise to an occurrence under the policies; d) the allegations are expressly excluded under the policies; e) Rayonier has not exceeded the retained limit under the Umbrella Policies; and f) for such other reasons as may be shown at trial. LEGAL\ \1 Page 12 of 13

13 2:13-cv CWH Date Filed 06/26/13 Entry Number 1 Page 13 of 13 WHEREFORE, ACE American and ACE Property pray for the relief set forth above and for such other and further relief as this Court deems just and necessary. COZEN O CONNOR Dated: June 26, 2013 BY: /s/tracy L. Eggleston Tracy L. Eggleston, Fed. ID No. 689 South Carolina Bar No South College Street, Suite 2100 Charlotte, NC Telephone No.: (704) Fax No.: (704) teggleston@cozen.com Counsel for ACE American Insurance Co. and ACE Property and Casualty Insurance Company LEGAL\ \1 Page 13 of 13

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