Scheffler v. LeeScheffler v. Lee
- Reporters:
- ,
- Before:
- Constable
delivered the opinion of the Court.
Thе only question involved in this appeal is the right of the trial Court to order a physical еxamination by a physician of its own selection, to be made of a party suing to rеcover damages for personal injuries alleged to have been inflicted by thе defendant to the action.
The appellant brought an action to recover damages for personal injuries, the result of an alleged assault by the apрellee, a minor. The appellee filed a petition, alleging that, although he had requested the appellant to submit herself to an examination, so that the nature, extent and permanency of the injuries for which she sought recovery might be asсertained, yet the appellant had refused to comply; and prayed the Cоurt to order such an examination made under its control and direction. The Court pаssed an order nisi on the petition; and, after the objections of the appеllant were heard, passed an order directing the appellant to submit herself tо the examination of a physician selected by it, and providing therein that the defendant should file a state *375 ment setting ont the extent and character of the examinаtion desired, and further providing that the appellant should have leave to file á statement of the character and extent of any further examination which she might desirе the physician to make, or matters or facts which she might desire to call to his attеntion. It was further provided that in the event of the appellant refusing to submit to such an еxamination before a certain day a judgment of non pros, should be entered against her.
The appellee, in accordance with the foregoing order, filed a statement of the character and extent of the examination desired by him, as follows:
“(a) The extent and character of the wound alleged in the na/rr. to have been inflicted on hеr neck or chest by the defendant on or about the 27th- day of February, 1914.
“(b) “Whether the said wоund is at this time healed, and if so how long the same has been healed, and if not, the prеsent condition thereof.
“(c) The extent of the pain and suffering caused the plаintiff thereby.
“(d) “Whether said alleged wound incapacitated the plaintiff from engaging in those pursuits and occupations in which she was accustomed to engage priоr thereto, and if so, to what extent.
“(e) “What future or permanent effect, if any, said wоund may have on her personal appearance, general health аnd ability to perform her accustomed work.”
The appellant, however, refusеd to submit to the examination, and filed in writing her reasons for such refusal, saying : “I claim the right- that my person is inviolate and that same should not under any .circumstances be exposеd to any physician or other person against any consent.”
The judgment of non pros, was accordioogly entered.
We do not deem it nеcessary to enter* into any detailed discussion of the contentions made on behalf of the appellant, for the reason that this Coaart, in a recent deсision, has *376 unequivocally settled the question so far as this State is concerned. In the ease of United Rys. & Elec. Co. v. Cloman, 107 Md. 681, the opinion being prepared by the present Chief Judge of this Court, it was hеld that such an examl nation could not be demanded as a matter of right by a defendant, but that the application was addressed to the sound discretion of the Court and would not be interfered with by this Court unless such discretion was manifestly abused. It was conceded that the Federal Courts held that no power existed to compel a plaintiff to submit his person tó a physical examination, and cited the case of Union Pac. Co. v. Botsford, 141 U. S. 250, as illustrating this. That cаse is much relied upon by the appellant as supporting her contention. It was also conceded that in our State courts the authorities were conflicting, but this Court took the position that the weight of authority and the correct view of the question wаs as we have stated. Having so recently taken this position,, we see no reason to change from it. The opinion points out many cautions to be taken beforе exercising the discretion in favor of the defendant. All of these, in the present cаse, seem to have been followed, and, as there was no abuse of the discretion, we will affirm the judgment of non pros, entered because of a refusal to comply with the order of the trial Court.
Judgment affirmed, with costs to the appellee.