M.O. Missouri Cases

M.O. sued M.B. after contracting HPV during sexual relations in M.B.'s GEICO-insured vehicle, seeking coverage from GEICO. M.O. and M.B. entered a § 537.065 agreement and arbitrated, resulting in a $5.2 million award to M.O. GEICO filed a motion to intervene, but the circuit court confirmed the arbitration award before ruling on GEICO's motion, though it later sustained the intervention. The Supreme Court of Missouri vacated the circuit court's judgment, holding that GEICO had a statutory right to intervene before judgment was entered.

M.O. sued GEICO's insured, M.B., for negligently infecting her with HPV during sexual encounters in his automobile, asserting coverage under his GEICO policy. After GEICO denied coverage, M.O. and M.B. entered a section 537.065 agreement and arbitrated, resulting in a $5.2 million award for M.O. The trial court confirmed the arbitration award and entered judgment, then granted GEICO's motion to intervene. GEICO appealed, arguing it was denied a meaningful opportunity to defend its interests pre-judgment. The appellate court affirmed, holding that neither section 537.065 nor Rule 52.12 grants intervenors the right to litigate on the merits or intervene pre-judgment, and GEICO's constitutional rights were not violated.