96 Wis. 362 | Wis. | 1897
The bill of exceptions is not certified to contain all the evidence. So there can be no review of the testimony given upon the trial. The special verdict is deemed to be absolute verity.
The issues made by the pleading were three: (1) "Whether proofs of loss had been furnished; (2) whether the plaintiff
His second alleged error is that the evidence shows that no proofs of loss were either furnished or waived. The jury seems to have decided this contention against the defendant, and there certainly was evidence to support the verdict. The point seems to be, not that no proofs were furnished, but that the proofs furnished were insufficient. And it is claimed that further or fuller proofs were waived by the defendant, by the action of the defendant’s adjuster in denying all liability of the defendant for the plaintiff’s loss. That such denial of liability would, ordinarily, be held a waiver of further or any proofs of loss, seems to be well settled in this state. Gross v. Milwaukee M. Ins. Co. 92 Wis. 656, and cases cited. But it is said that it was agreed between the plaintiff and the adjuster that nothing which the adjuster might do or say should be construed as a waiver of any of the defendant’s rights. It is said that whether there was a waiver is a question of intention, and should be submitted to the jury. Oi’dinarily, when the act which constitutes a waiver is intentionally done, and is unequivocal in significance, it is, as matter of law, a waiver, irrespective of the intention of the parties. Rasmusen v. N. Y. L. Ins. Co. 91 Wis. 81; Schultz v. Caledonian Ins. Co. 94 Wis. 42; May, Ins. (3d ed.), § 508. The adjuster, in effect, gave the plaintiff unequivocal notification that, whatever the circumstances of the loss, the company declined to pay, on the ground that
The defendant also claims error in that the jury was permitted to find a general verdict, in connection with the special verdict, against its objection. .This court has held that it is not prejudicial, and so not error, to take a general verdict in connection with a special verdict, in a case where the special verdict disposes of all the controverted issues, so that it does not become necessary to resort to the general verdict in order to help out the special one. Ault v. Wheeler & W. Mfg. Co. 54 Wis. 300; Hoppe v. C., M. & St. P. R. Co. 61 Wis. 357. In such case the general verdict is merely a correct conclusion of law from the special findings, and neither benefits nor harms either party. In the instant cas© the special verdict disposed of all the controverted issues- and could not be aided by the general verdict.
No reversible error is found in the record.
By the Gouri.— The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.