FEDERAL INS. CO. v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.

Nos. 93-1157, 93-1474, 1475, 1476, 1477, 1478, 1479, 1480, 1481 and 93-1590.

12 F.3d 1270 (1993)

FEDERAL INSURANCE COMPANY, Subrogee of Mutual Group, Ltd., N.R.G. America Holding Company d/b/a Philadelphia Reinsurance Company, N.R.G. American Holding Company d/b/a N.R.G. American Life, Wertheim Schroder & Co., Inc., Paine Webber Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Company, Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., Pitcairn Private Bank, the Palmieri Company, 1838 Investment Advisors, Eastern Telelogic, Mark Goldman, as Executor of the Estate of Herbert Goldman, Joseph Fillmore, Paul Marino, William Wall, Edward F. Mannino, Patricia J. Myers, Lewis Cohen, Jay Alchin, Mary Kenney, Richard Atcavage; Vigilant Insurance Company, Subrogee of Edward F. Mannino & Associates, P.C., Bernard Heinzen, Philip Leicht, George Hundt, Joseph L. Pyle, Julian A. Brodsky, John Davison, Jr., Paul M. Yeakel; Sun Insurance Office, Ltd., Subrogee of George M. Ross, Timothy Sennatt, Robert Allen, Thaddeus R. Shelly, III, Clarence A. McGowan, Jr., Fielding Lamason, Glenn Partridge, William Thorkelson, III, William McCoy, George Hawke, Kathleen MacGregor, Brian Gibbons, Michael Satzburg; the Continental Corporation, Subrogee of Bazelon & Less, Gregory Alexander, Esquire, Robert McLean, Sharon McGeehan and Dennis Dean; Aetna Life and Casualty Insurance Company, Subrogee of Prudential Insurance Company; Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, Subrogee of M. Kowalchik and Associates; West American Insurance Company, Subrogee of Elliott, Bray & Riley, P.C.; Royal Insurance Company, Subrogee of Meridian Bancorp, Inc., Pegalis & Wachsman, P.C., Donald Goldberg, Esquire, the Royal Bank of Pennsylvania; USF & G Corporation, Subrogee of John Gerard Devlin, Esquire; American Home Assurance Company, Subrogee of Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Inc. d/b/a B. Dalton Bookstore, Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Inc. d/b/a Barnes & Noble Book Store; National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Subrogee of Prudential Insurance Company; Allianz International Insurance Company, Ltd., Subrogee of Goldman Sachs & Company; Underwriters at Lloyd's of London, Subrogee of Prudential Insurance Company; One World Trade Center; Sun Insurance Company, Subrogee of U.S. Life Corporation; Marine Indemnity Insurance Company, Subrogee of U.S. Life Corporation v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.; E/R Associates; Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; USA One Associates; USA One B.V.; USA Two B.V.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; USA Holdings B.V.; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc.; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; Balis & Co., Inc.; Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; Nason and Cullen, Inc.; American Building Maintenance Company of New York; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Delmont Fire Protection Service, Inc.; National Guardian Security Services Corporation; M & M Equipment Company; Joseph F.X. Griffin; Giacomini, S.P.A.; Sheward Henderson Associates; Beer Associates; Buten, M. & Sons, Inc., T/A "Buten the Paint and Paper People" v. HALPRIN SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.; Sierra Fire Equipment Co.; Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.; Premier Industrial Corporation; Task Force Tips, Inc.; Maris Equipment Company; the Energy Consortium, Inc.; Honeywell, Inc.; Pyrotrol Systems, Inc., Division of Potter Electric Signal Company; Webster Automation Systems, Inc.; John Ashe Associates, Inc.; H.B. Frazer and Co., Inc.; MMR/Foley Division of Matthews-McCracken-Rutland Corp., Third-Party Defendants. USA Holding BV and Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellants in No. 93-1157. In re ONE MERIDIAN PLAZA FIRE LITIGATION. Eight Cases. John M. CORCORAN; and C.W.D. Enterprises Ltd., d/b/a Chris' Cafe and Bar; Ejay Travel, Inc., Plaintiffs for Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; USA One Associates; USA One B.V.; USA Two B.V.; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc.; Aetna Casualty & Surety Company; Aetna Life Insurance Company; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Balis & Co.; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Delmont Fire Protection Service, Inc.; American Building Maintenance Company; National Guardian Security Services, Corp.; Joseph F.X. Griffin, Third-Party Plaintiffs, v. HALPRIN SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.; Sierra Fire Equipment Co., Rubinetterie A. Giacomini S.P.A.; Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.; Premier Industrial Corporation, t/a Akron Brass Company; Task Force Tips, Inc.; Maris Equipment Company; the Energy Consortium, Inc.; Honeywell, Inc.; Pyrotrol Systems Inc., Division of Potter Electric Signal Company; Webster Automation Systems, Inc.; John Ashe Associates, Inc.; H.B. Frazer and Co., Inc.; Nason & Cullen, Inc.; Sheward Henderson; MMR/Foley Division of Matthews-McCracken-Rutland Corp.; Morris-Rospond Associates, Inc., a/k/a Morris Rospond Group and/or the Energy Consortium, Inc.; M & M Equipment Company; Tabor Acoustical, Inc.; Oreland Sheetmetal, Inc., Third-Party Defendants. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1474. ELLIOTT & BRAY, P.C.; Nancy Dembowski; Virginia L. Grandy; T. Sean Crumlish; Constitution Bancorp., N.A., Plaintiffs, for Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; USA One Associates; USA One B.V.; USA Two B.V.; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc.; Aetna Casualty & Surety Company; Aetna Life Insurance Company; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Balis & Co.; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Elmont Fire Protection Service, Inc.; John Does #1 Through #77, (Defendants whose identities are currently unknown to Plaintiffs). Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1475. Louis J. BOUNDONNA; Robert Allen, on Behalf of Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF the UNITED STATES; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Richard I. Rubin & Co., Inc. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1476. LEGXPRESS, INC.; Pennsylvania Square Corp. v. The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF the UNITED STATES; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Richard I. Rubin & Co., Inc. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1477. REGENT INC. OF 15TH STREET d/b/a Giorgio Brutini, on Behalf of Itself and All Others Similarly Situated v. The EQUITABLE LIFE ASSURANCE SOCIETY OF the UNITED STATES; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Richard I. Rubin & Co., Inc. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1478. Anthony VINCIGUERRA, t/a 2 Mellon Bank Center Barber Services and Styling; Sunshine Personnel, Inc.; Royal Bank of Pennsylvania, for Itself and for All Others Similarly Situated v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; USA One Associates; USA One B.V.; USA Two B.V.; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc.; Aetna Casualty & Surety Company; Aetna Life Insurance Company; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Balis & Co.; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Delmont Fire Protection Service, Inc.; John Does #1 Through #77. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1479. Robert J. ATLEE; Triumphe Financial Services, for Themselves and All Others Similarly Situated v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; USA One Associates; USA One B.V.; USA Two B.V.; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc.; Aetna Casualty & Surety Company; Aetna Life Insurance Company; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Balis & Co.; Penn Sprinkler Company; Delmont Fire Protection Service, Inc.; John Does #1 Through #77. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1480. Jeffrey BERMAN v. E/R ASSOCIATES, t/a One Meridian Plaza; Richard I. Rubin & Co., Inc.; Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; Rodin Enterprises; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc.; Aetna Casualty & Surety Company; Aetna Life Insurance Company; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Balis & Co.; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Delmont Fire Protection Service, Inc. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1481. Mary Y. HOLCOMBE, in her own right and as Administratrix of the Estate of David P. Holcombe, Deceased v. RICHARD I. RUBIN & CO., INC.; E/R Associates, t/a One Meridian Plaza; Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States; Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds; Penn Sprinkler Company, Inc.; Delmont Fire Protection Service, Inc.; Balis and Co., Inc.; USA One Associates; USA One B.V.; USA Two B.V.; Rodin Investment Administration Company; Equitable Real Estate Investment Management; Jones Lange Wootton USA; Pan American Office Investments, Inc.; American Building Maintenance Company; National Guardian Security Systems; Joseph F.X. Griffin; M & M Equipment Company v. HALPRIN SUPPLY COMPANY, INC.; Sierra Fire Equipment Co.; Rubinetterie A. Giacomini S.P.A.; Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.; Premier Industrial Corporation, t/a Akron Brass Company; Task Force Tips, Inc.; Maris Equipment Company, Division of JWP, Inc.; the Energy Consortium, Inc.; Honeywell, Inc.; Pyrotrol Systems, Inc., Division of Potter Electric Signal Company; Webster Automation Systems, Inc.; John Ashe Associates, Inc.; H.B. Frazer and Co., Inc.; Nason & Cullen, Inc.; Sheward-Henderson; MMR/Foley, Division of Matthews-McCracken-Rutland Corp.; Morris-Rospond Associates, a/k/a Morris Rospond Group and/or the Energy Consortium, Inc.; Tabor Acoustical, Inc.; Oreland Sheetmetal, Inc., Third-Party Defendants. Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, Appellant in No. 93-1590.

United States Court of Appeals, Third Circuit.

Decided December 28, 1993.


Attorney(s) appearing for the Case

Stephen A. Cozen (argued), Robert W. Hayes, Cozen & O'Connor, Philadelphia, PA, for appellants Algemeen Burgerlijk Pensioenfonds, USA Holdings BV.

Kathleen S. Clair (argued), White & Williams, Philadelphia, PA, for appellees in No. 93-1157, Federal Ins. Co., Subrogee of Mut. Group, Ltd., N.R.G. America Holding Co. d/b/a Philadelphia Reinsurance Co., N.R.G. American Holding Co. d/b/a N.R.G. American Life, Wertheim Schroder & Co., Inc., Paine Webber Group, Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co., Scudder, Stevens & Clark, Inc., Pitcairn Private Bank, The Palmieri Co., 1838 Inv. Advisors, Eastern Telelogic, Mark Goldman, As Executor of the Estate of Herbert Goldman, Joseph Fillmore, Paul Marino, William Wall, Edward F. Mannino, Patricia J. Myers, Lewis Cohen, Jay Alchin, Mary Kenney, Richard Atcavage, Vigilant Ins. Co., Subrogee of Edward F. Mannino & Associates, P.C., Bernard Heinzen, Philip Leicht, George Hundt, Joseph L. Pyle, Julian A. Brodsky, John Davison, Jr., Paul M. Yeakel, Sun Ins. Office Ltd., Subrogee of George M. Ross, Timothy Sennatt, Robert Allen, Thaddeus R. Shelly, III, Clarence A. McGowan, Jr., Fielding Lamason, Glenn Partridge, William Thorkelson, III, William McCoy, George Hawke, Kathleen MacGregor, Brian Gibbons, Michael Satzburg, Continental Corp., Subrogee of Bazelon & Less, Gregory Alexander, Esquire, Robert McLean, Sharon McGeehan and Dennis Dean, Aetna Life & Cas., Subrogee of Prudential Ins. Co., Pennsylvania Mfrs' Ass'n, Subrogee of M. Kowalchik and Associates, West American Ins. Co., Subrogee of Elliott, Bray & Riley, P.C., Royal Ins. Co., Subrogee of Meridian Bancorp, Inc., Pegalis & Wachsman, P.C., Donald Goldberg, Esquire, The Royal Bank of Pennsylvania, USF & G Corp., Subrogee of John Gerard Devlin, Esquire, American Home Assur., Subrogee of Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Inc. d/b/a B. Dalton Bookstore, Barnes & Noble Bookstores, Inc. d/b/a Barnes & Noble Book Store, Allianz Intern. Ins. Co., Subrogee of Goldman Sachs & Co., Sun Ins. Co., Subrogee of U.S. Life Corp., Marine Indem. Ins., Subrogee of U.S. Life Corp., Underwriters at Lloyd's of London, Subrogee of Prudential Ins. Co. Nat. Union Fire Ins. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Subrogee of Prudential Ins. Co., One World Trade Center.

James M. Marsh, Hecker, Brown, Sherry & Johnson, Philadelphia, PA, for amicus-appellee in No. 93-1157 Hecker, Brown, Sherry & Johnson.

Timothy T. Myers, John M. Elliott, Elliott, Vanaskie & Riley, Blue Bell, PA, for amicus-appellees in No. 93-1157, Ejay Travel, Inc., Nancy Dembowski, Virginia L. Grandy, T. Sean Crumlish, Robert Allen, Regent 15th Street d/b/a Giorgio Brutini, Legxpress, Inc., Pennsylvania Square Corp., Anthony Vinciguerra, John M. Corcoran, Sunshine Personnel, Royal Bank of Pennsylvania, Robert J. Atlee, Triumphe Financial Services, CWD Enterprises, Ltd. d/b/a Chris' Cafe & Bar, Happy Rooster, Inc.

Timothy T. Myers (argued), John M. Elliott, Elliott, Vanaskie & Riley, Blue Bell, PA, Janice Siegel, Berger & Montague, Jodi Isenberg, Mesirov, Gelman, Jaffe, Cramer & Jamieson, Paul R. Rosen, Ann Miller, Spector, Gadon & Rosen, Philadelphia, PA, John J. Mulderig, Brown & Connery, Westmont, NJ, Paul A. Koches, Joseph Brooks, Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Washington, DC, Charles J. Bloom, Stevens & Lee, Wayne, PA, for appellees in Nos. 93-1474, 93-1475, 93-1476, 93-1477, 93-1478, 93-1479, 93-1480, 93-1481, 93-1590, John M. Corcoran, CWD Enterprises, Ltd., d/b/a Chris' Cafe & Bar, Ejay Travel, Inc., Plaintiffs for themselves and all others similarly situated, Halprin Supply Co., Sierra Fire Equipment Co., Task Force Tips, Inc., Maris Equipment Co., Energy Consortium, Honeywell, Inc., Webster Automation, Sheward Henderson, MMR/Foley, Div. of Matthews-McCracken-Rutland Corp., Morris-Rospond Associates a/k/a Morris Rospond Group a/k/a Energy Consortium, Tabor Acoustical, Inc., Oreland Sheetmetal, Nancy Dembowski, Virginia L. Grandy, T. Sean Crumlish, Constitution Bancorp, Plaintiffs, for themselves and all others similarly situated, Robert Allen, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, Legxpress, Inc., Pennsylvania Square Corp., Regent 15th Street, on behalf of itself and all others similarly situated d/b/a Giorgio Brutini, Anthony Vinciguerra t/a 2 Mellon Bank Center Barber Services and Styling, Sunshine Personnel, Royal Bank of Pennsylvania, for itself and or all others similarly situated, Robert J. Atlee, Triumphe Financial Services, for themselves and all others similarly situated, Rubinetterie A. Giacomini S.P.A., Premier Industrial Corporation t/a Akron Brass Co., Pyrotrol Systems Inc., Division of Potter Electric Signal Company, HB Frazer & Co., Inc.

Alan M. Herman, Feldman, Shepherd, Wohlgelernter & Herman, Philadelphia, PA, for appellee in No. 93-1590, Mary Y. Holcombe, in her own right and as Administratrix of the Estate of David P. Holcombe, Deceased, Appellee.

John J. Mulderig, Brown & Connery, Westmont, NJ, Paul A. Koches, Joseph Brooks (argued), Popham, Haik, Schnobrich & Kaufman, Washington, DC, for appellee in No. 93-1590, Honeywell, Inc.

Before: GREENBERG, COWEN and SEITZ, Circuit Judges.


OPINION OF THE COURT

COWEN, Circuit Judge.

These cases arise from the February 23, 1991 fire that engulfed One Meridian Plaza, an office building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The catastrophic fire resulted in substantial destruction of the thirty-eight story office tower, the deaths of three firefighters who responded to the blaze, and lawsuits alleging losses of nearly $600 million. While procedurally distinct, these appeals all raise the same issue:...

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