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Griffith v. Allstate Life Ins. Co.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Feb 25, 2002
31 F. App'x 450 (9th Cir. 2002)

Opinion


31 Fed.Appx. 450 (9th Cir. 2002) Samuel GRIFFITH; et al., Plaintiffs--Appellants, v. ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY; et al., Defendants--Appellees. No. 01-55629. D.C. No. CV-99-13160-LGB. United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit. February 25, 2002

Submitted February 11, 2002.

This panel unanimously finds this case suitable for decision without oral argument. See Fed. R.App. P. 34(a)(2).

NOT FOR PUBLICATION. (See Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure Rule 36-3)

Appeal from the United States District Court for the Central District of California, Lourdes G. Baird, District Judge, Presiding.

Before B. FLETCHER, T.G. NELSON, and TALLMAN, Circuit Judges.

MEMORANDUM

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and may not be cited to or by the courts of this circuit except as may be provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.

Ethel Griffith's survivors, Samuel Griffith, Stephanie Griffith, Marcia Griffith, and Samuel Griffith, Jr., appeal the district court's grant of summary judgment for Allstate Insurance Company in their diversity action for breach of contract and other causes of action. We have jurisdiction pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1291. We review de novo, Balint v. Carson City, 180 F.3d 1047, 1050 (9th Cir.1999). and we may affirm on any ground supported by the record, Olson v. Morris, 188 F.3d 1083, 1085 (9th Cir.1999).

Because Ethel Griffith resided in California and the contract was made in California,

Page 451.

California law governs this diversity action. See Freeman v. Allstate Ins. Co., 253 F.3d 533, 535 (9th Cir.2001). We conclude that Allstate was entitled to rescind its insurance contract on Ethel Griffith's life when it learned that she had materially misrepresented her health status when she applied for insurance. See id. at 535-536 (upholding recission where misstatements were made in response to questions by telephone solicitor, telephone conversation was taped, and enrollment form confirmation was sent to insured).

Appellants' remaining contentions lack merit.

Accordingly, we affirm the district court's grant of summary judgment.

AFFIRMED.


Summaries of

Griffith v. Allstate Life Ins. Co.

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Feb 25, 2002
31 F. App'x 450 (9th Cir. 2002)
Case details for

Griffith v. Allstate Life Ins. Co.

Case Details

Full title:Samuel GRIFFITH; et al., Plaintiffs--Appellants, v. ALLSTATE LIFE…

Court:United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Date published: Feb 25, 2002

Citations

31 F. App'x 450 (9th Cir. 2002)