125 S.E. 8 | N.C. | 1924
At the close of plaintiff's evidence, on motion, there was judgment of nonsuit, and plaintiff excepted and appealed. The evidence on part of plaintiff tended to show that he held a policy in defendant company which guaranteed to plaintiff the payment of specified weekly sick and accident benefits; the payment guaranteed in case of accidental loss of foot being $125; that while said policy was alive and in force, all premiums having been fully paid, plaintiff, on 30 April, 1922, in endeavoring to alight from a railroad train, fell and was struck by the train and his leg broken, so that same had to be amputated.
There was also evidence from plaintiff himself permitting the inference that at the time of the injury he was or had been on a railroad freight train without permission of the conductor or other, and "with the intention of being transported free and without paying the usual fare," contrary to the provisions of C. S., ch. 67, sec. 3508, constituting such act a misdemeanor.
It appeared also that the policy sued on and introduced in evidence by plaintiff contained, among others, stipulation as follows: "No benefits will be paid for any disease contracted before the date of this policy, nor for sickness due to immorality or violation of law; and if the company has evidence that the insured is presenting a claim void under this provision, or is feigning sickness or disability, it reserves the right to refund the amount of premiums paid, less benefits drawn, if any, and take up and cancel policy and be discharged from further liability hereunder."
Defendant resists recovery and contends that the judgment of nonsuit should be upheld: First, by reason of the express stipulation of Clause F of the policy, exempting company from payment of benefits "for any disease contracted before the date of the policy, or for sickness due to immorality or violation of law." Second, because it appears that plaintiff at the time was engaged in an unlawful act, contributory to the injury. But, in our opinion, neither position can be maintained. Even if there were ambiguity in the clause of the policy relied upon, permitting construction, it is the accepted principle in such cases that the question should be resolved in favor of the insured. Parker v. Ins. Co., ante, 403; Allgood v. Ins. Co.,
On the second position the judgment of nonsuit is erroneous: First, because it does not appear as a conclusion of law that plaintiff was guilty of the crime imputed to him, and in any event the question should be submitted to the jury. Ferrell v. R. R.,
A case to some extent in illustration of the position occurs in our own reports, in Clay v. Ins. Co.,
Reversed.