24 N.W.2d 534 | Mich. | 1946
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[EDITORS' NOTE: THIS PAGE CONTAINS HEADNOTES. HEADNOTES ARE NOT AN OFFICIAL PRODUCT OF THE COURT, THEREFORE THEY ARE NOT DISPLAYED.] *10 This is an action on a health and accident insurance policy issued by defendant to Robert W. Turner under date of April 3, 1944. At that time the assured was 19 years of age and was residing *11 with his parents who were the beneficiaries under the policy and are the plaintiffs herein. The policy provided for the payment of $1,250 for loss of life "resulting directly and independently of all other causes, from bodily injuries sustained during any term of this policy, through purely accidental means (suicide, sane or insane is not covered)." The application for the policy was taken by defendant's soliciting agent, Mrs. Ora Adams, who came to the home for the purpose of obtaining an application for a policy from plaintiff Raymond E. Turner. The record indicates that Mrs. Adams asked Robert certain questions contained in the application, and based the answers to other questions on her knowledge or observation. At the time, Robert was employed by the Sutherland Paper Company of Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Mrs. Adams was so informed. The application was signed by Robert, was forwarded to defendant company by its agent, and a copy was attached to the policy in question at the time it was delivered to the assured.
Robert continued to work for the paper company until October 14, 1944, at which time he suffered injuries resulting in his death. Thereafter defendant undertook to rescind the policy, claiming that information contained in the application as to the assured's physical condition was not correct. A check for the premiums paid was sent to the beneficiaries, acceptance thereof being refused. Such tender was renewed at the time of the trial.
At the conclusion of the proofs counsel for defendant moved for a directed verdict, claiming that plaintiffs had failed to sustain the burden of proof on the question whether death resulted from purely accidental means; and that the assured was, as a matter of law, bound to know the contents of the application, and that plaintiffs were precluded from *12 recovering because certain answers therein were not true. Decision on the motion was reserved under the provisions of Act No. 217, Pub. Acts 1915 (3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 14531 et seq. [Stat. Ann. § 27.1461 et seq.]), as amended by Act No. 44, Pub. Acts 1939 (Comp. Laws Supp. 1940, § 14531 et seq. [Stat. Ann. 1946 Cum. Supp. § 27.1461 et seq.]), commonly referred to as the Empson act. The jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiffs for the amount of the policy, together with interest. Thereafter defendant moved for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, relying on the reasons advanced in support of the motion for directed verdict, and also on certain additional grounds which will be referred to later. This motion was denied and defendant has appealed, asking that the judgment entered on the verdict be vacated and judgment for defendant ordered to be entered. The question presented is whether defendant was entitled to judgment as a matter of law for the reasons, or any of them, advanced by it.
The burden of proving that the death of the assured resulted from purely accidental means rested on plaintiffs. The testimony indicates that on the morning of October 14, 1944, Robert was at his place of employment, changed his clothes in the dressing room provided for that purpose, and then jumped from the floor where he was at the time, to a moving freight elevator that was descending and had passed the floor by approximately two and one-half feet. A witness described this elevator as being approximately 6 by 8 feet, with wood panels along the sides and with open ends. The operator of the elevator testified that he saw Robert jump down on the elevator, that his attention was then called to something else, and that he was not aware anything had happened to Robert until another employee called to him, whereupon he stopped the *13 elevator. He testified further that Robert made no outcry of any kind. Another employee of the paper company was on the main floor, saw Robert falling, and saw him strike the concrete floor. In describing the incident this witness said:
"Well, as near as I know it, I saw him coming down through the air. I heard the noise first and looking up I saw his body come tumbling out of the shaft, over the tie bar, and he landed right at my feet; I should judge probably about 2 or 3 feet away from me, and one leg extended inside the elevator shaft; and I hollered to the operator to stop the elevator immediately, not knowing how bad he was hurt, so that it wouldn't cut off his leg. It was hanging on the inside; so I dragged him out of the shaft, as soon as I had hold of him, and took him immediately to the first aid room."
A physician who attended Robert testified, in substance, that the assured had sustained a severe head injury, which, in the opinion of the witness, caused the death. He further testified that Robert did not regain consciousness after he first attended him. The testimony of the witness before referred to who saw Robert strike the main floor indicated that he was unconscious immediately following the impact.
It further appears from the evidence that the elevator was loaded with ice cream pails, with a space between a foot and two feet on the ends and approximately one foot on the sides. The controls were on the southwest corner of the elevator, and the load interfered with the operator observing what happened to Robert. The testimony does not show the rate of speed of the elevator, but it was described by a witness as "slow moving."
The evidence rather clearly indicates that the death of the assured resulted from the head injury referred to by plaintiffs' medical witness. There is *14
no testimony suggesting a different theory. Neither is there any basis for an inference that the fall was due to heart failure or apoplexy, or other natural cause. As a general rule death resulting from external and violent means gives rise to an inference or presumption that it was accidental. 46 C.J.S. p. 428. New York Life Ins. Co. v. Gamer,
In support of its contention that plaintiffs did not sustain the burden of proof resting on them defendant cites and relies onDimmer v. Mutual Life Ins. Co. of New York,
It is further claimed by defendant that because Robert voluntarily jumped down upon the elevator his subsequent injury and death cannot be said to have resulted from accidental means. Attention is called to the case of Whitehead v. Railway MailAssn. (C.C.A.), 269 Fed. 25. There, however, the insured got off a moving railroad train while it was crossing a bridge over a creek. Recovery was denied on the ground that death resulting from such an act was not accidental, within the meaning of the insurance contract there involved. Sizemore v. NationalCasualty Co.,
In view of the claim advanced by defendant the decision inUnited States Mutual Accident Assn. v. Barry,
"It is further urged that there was no evidence to support the verdict because no accident was shown. We do not concur in this view. The two companions of the deceased jumped from the same platform, at the same time and place, and alighted safely. It must be presumed not only that the deceased intended to alight safely, but thought that he would. The jury were, on all the evidence, at liberty to say that it was an accident that he did not. The court properly instructed them that the jumping off the platform was the means by which the injury, if any was sustained, was caused; that the question was, whether there was anything accidental, *16 unforeseen, involuntary, unexpected, in the act of jumping, from the time the deceased left the platform until he alighted on the ground; that the term `accidental' was used in the policy in its ordinary, popular sense, as meaning `happening by chance; unexpectedly taking place; not according to the usual course of things; or not as expected;' that, if a result is such as follows from ordinary means, voluntarily employed, in a not unusual or unexpected way, it cannot be called a result effected by accidental means; but that if, in the act which precedes the injury, something unforeseen, unexpected, unusual occurs which produces the injury, then the injury has resulted through accidental means."
This decision was cited with approval in Ashley v.Agricultural Life Insurance Company of America,
"Insured's becoming lost was not by design, volition, or intent. It was not an expected or usual incident of hunting. It was unusual and unexpected, fortuitous. He became lost accidentally. 1 C.J. p. 390. His death was caused by accidental exposure to storm and frost. Freezing in and of itself is not an accident. Sherman v. Flint Spring Water Ice Co.,
Of like import are Wheeler v. Title Guaranty CasualtyCompany of America,
In the instant case it cannot be said that because the assured jumped down upon the elevator and thereafter sustained the fatal head injury, death was not caused by accidental means. It does not follow as a matter of law, that he intended or designed the ultimate consequences of his action. Contributory negligence on the part of the assured is not a bar to recovery on the policy.Hunt v. United States Accident Assn.,
Defendant further contends that false statements of a material character were made in the application for the policy, that it was entitled to rescind the contract on that basis, and was entitled to judgment in its favor as a matter of law. It is conceded by appellees that assured's right arm was smaller than his left arm and that such condition had existed from infancy. Apparently, however, the arm developed so that, at the time the policy was written, it was approximately three-fourths normal size, as indicated by the testimony of one of plaintiffs' witnesses. The proofs do not show the extent to which the usefulness of the arm was impaired. It further appears that the right leg of the assured was somewhat smaller than his left leg, and that he limped slightly in walking. No testimony was offered as to the extent to which the development of the leg was retarded. *18
It was plaintiffs' claim on the trial that Robert was not prevented from indulging in most normal activities common among young men of his age, that he played ball, ran, bowled, and rode a bicycle. As before noted, he was working at the time the policy was written and continued in the same employment until the time of his injury.
Among other questions in the application was, "Are you maimed or deformed? Answer as to each." To this question defendant's agent wrote the answer "No." Mrs. Adams was not a witness on the trial and it is undisputed that she did not read the question to Robert but simply wrote the answer after looking at him. Counsel for defendant concede in their brief that the agent should have noticed Robert's arm. No claim is made, however, that Mrs. Adams was actuated by any fraudulent intent to deceive defendant. Obviously, she had an opportunity to observe Robert's physical appearance and the testimony indicates that she did so. At the time he signed the application at her request Mrs. Adams could scarcely have failed to note the condition of his arm. It is contended, however, that the answer as written was untrue, and that because a copy of the application was attached to the policy when delivered to the assured, the latter was bound by the falsity, and intent on his part to deceive must, as a matter of law, be presumed.
In this connection the provisions of 3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 12444 (Stat. Ann. §
"The falsity of any statement in the application for any policy covered by this chapter shall not bar the right to recovery thereunder unless such false statement was made with actual intent to deceive or unless it materially affected either the acceptance of the risk or the hazard assumed by the insurer." *19
The trial court submitted to the jury the question as to whether the answers in the application were false, and if so, whether they were made by the assured with intent to deceive. Special questions were not, however, submitted and it does not appear that any request therefor was made. Defendant does not allege error either in the charge of the court or in the admission of evidence. Rather it is claimed that defendant was entitled to judgment as a matter of law. With such claim we are unable to agree.
In the determination of defendant's motion it was the duty of the court to construe the testimony most favorably to plaintiffs. This rule has been repeatedly stated by this Court in prior decisions. Thus, in Butzin v. Bonk,
"In disposing of defendants' motions and on this appeal the testimony must be construed most favorably to plaintiff. Gayden
v. Arabais,
It was held that on the record issues were presented for the determination of the jury. See, also, Kane v. Detroit LifeInsurance Co.,
In Anderson v. Kearly,
"`The facts we have recited were established by the testimony, and we have repeatedly held that a jury may draw reasonable and legitimate inferences from established facts.'"
The court further commented:
"Having in mind that upon a motion to direct a verdict against plaintiff, the testimony and all *20 legitimate inferences which may be drawn from it most favorable to plaintiff must be accepted, we are of the opinion that plaintiff established a prima facie case."
Under the evidence relating to the physical condition of the assured at the time the application for the policy was made the court would not have been justified in holding, as a matter of law, that the statements in question in such application were materially false, or that they were made with intent to deceive.New York Life Insurance Co. v. Newman,
Assuming that the assured was charged with notice of what appeared in the application because of the fact that it was attached to and made a part of the policy, the conclusion does not necessarily follow that there was any intent on his part to deceive. The facts in the case are somewhat unusual. As before noted, assured was 19 years of age at the time the policy was written, had just finished high school, and there is nothing in the record to show that he had greater experience in business matters than the ordinary young man of that age. He did not take the initiative in making the application for the policy. The record indicates that he took such action at the suggestion of defendant's agent. Apparently he assumed that she understood the situation and that she was able to fill out the application properly. Had he read the application *21
at the time he signed it, or after receiving the policy, he might logically have concluded that the agent understood the interpretation placed by the company on the questions in the application and had written answers accordingly. The burden of showing that false answers in a material respect were made with an intent to deceive rested on the defendant. It will be noted in this connection that the statute uses the expression "actual intent." Such expression must be given its ordinary meaning. The proper method for determining actual intent is by a consideration of the circumstances surrounding the transaction. Bentley v.Caille,
Claim is made that the trial court assumed that the knowledge of Mrs. Adams was imputed to defendant. It does not appear that in denying the motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict the court made any specific finding in this regard. The general rule is that knowledge of an agent on a material matter, acquired within the scope of the agency, is imputed to the principal. 45 C.J.S. pp. 644, 646. This rule is applicable to a soliciting agent who is authorized to obtain applications. In Serbinoff v.Wolverine Mutual Motor Insurance Co.,
"It is conceded that Sparks was a soliciting agent for the Holden Agency at the time he secured the application for the insurance from Matey. His acts at that time `will be held the acts of the company, and his knowledge the knowledge of the company.' Russell v. Detroit Mutual Fire Ins. Co.,
The provisions of Act No. 256, pt. 3, chap. 2, § 28, Pub. Acts. 1917 (3 Comp. Laws 1929, § 12455 [Stat. Ann. §
"Any person who shall solicit an application for insurance upon the life of another shall, in any controversy between the assured or his beneficiary and the company issuing any policy upon such application, be regarded as the agent of the company and not the agent of the assured."
See, also, Van Houten v. Metropolitan Life Ins. Co.,
Counsel for defendant have called attention to Ruggirello v.Detroit Automobile Inter-Insurance Exchange,
The motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict alleged that defendant was entitled to judgment as a matter of law for the reasons covered by the motion for a directed verdict and for the further reasons, not raised by the prior motion, that the alleged false representations in the application materially affected the acceptance of the risk by the insurance company and, likewise, the hazard assumed by it. It was further alleged that plaintiffs admitted, by their failure to deny certain averments in the supplemental answer filed by defendant, that the policy would not have been issued if the answers in the application had been correct.
The answer to the declaration referred to certain questions in the application, alleged that they were falsely answered, and that in consequence plaintiffs were not entitled to recover. Among the questions so referred to the inquiry as to the existence of a deformity was not included. Plaintiffs filed a reply to the answer, denying that the policy was void for the reasons alleged by defendant. Subsequently, defendant filed a supplemental answer, referring specifically to the question as to deformity and the answer thereto, and averring that, had said question been answered correctly and truthfully, the policy would not have been issued, "because the risk would not have been commensurate with the amount of premium charged for such a policy." Plaintiffs did not file a reply to the supplemental answer. Defendant insists, in consequence, that the matters of fact alleged in the supplemental answer were admitted by plaintiffs.
On behalf of plaintiffs it is argued that the denials contained in the reply to the original answer to the declaration were sufficient in form and substance to cover the allegations in the supplemental answer. The motion for a directed verdict made no reference to the alleged admission, and it does not appear *24
that it was in any way called to the attention of the trial court, except by defendant's supplement to its motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Plaintiffs' contention is not without merit and finds support in defendant's failure to raise the question on the trial. It is quite probable that had it been so raised plaintiffs would have sought and obtained leave to file a reply to the supplemental answer, thus obviating the question now sought to be raised on the pleading. In Shoemaker
v. Standard Oil Co.,
"In our judgment the situation is the same as in a case where there is no reply to the new matter set up in the answer as constituting a defense. When, in such a case, the cause is tried as if the new matter were denied by a reply, a demand for judgment on the pleadings after each party has introduced its evidence comes too late. Lovell v. Wentworth,
"The plaintiffs, having permitted the trial to proceed upon the theory that there was an issue of fact and having raised no question as to the defendant's answer until the evidence was in and the verdict returned, should not be permitted to prevail now in their contention. The objections of the plaintiffs to the form of answer did not come in time to be of any avail."
In the case at bar defendant not only failed to raise, on the trial, the question of the alleged admission, but offered testimony relating to the subject-matter of the alleged admission. Under the circumstances plaintiffs, and the trial court as well, were entitled to assume that defendant considered that the denials in the reply to the original answer to the declaration were sufficient to cover the averments in the supplemental answer. Without reference *25 to the legal sufficiency of such denials we hold that defendant was not entitled to raise the question for the first time after the verdict of the jury had been returned.
Commenting on the claim that the alleged false answers in the application materially affected, as a matter of law, the acceptance of the risk, and the hazard assumed by defendant, the trial court said:
"This contention was not made during the trial. The motion for a directed verdict did not embrace it. Defendant should not now be permitted the benefit of it. Without including this in the motion for a directed verdict, defendant recognized this question as one of fact by offering the testimony of its witness Wood, and in the second paragraph of its first request for an instruction. This question was properly submitted to the jury."
It is the position of counsel for defendant that under the provisions of the Empson act, above cited, a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict may properly include matters not covered by the motion for a directed verdict. The determination of the question raised rests primarily on the interpretation of the statute referred to, which reads in part:
"Hereafter in all civil actions at law, in courts of record, if the defendant at the close of the plaintiff's case or if either party shall at the close of the testimony, and before the case is submitted to the jury, request the court for a directed verdict in his favor, the court may reserve his decision thereon, and submit the case to the jury under proper instructions as to the law applicable to such case. After the case is thus submitted to the jury, or after receiving and recording the verdict of the jury and before judgment is entered in said case, the court may *26 hear arguments of counsel for and against said request, but in all such cases shall receive and record the verdict of the jury as rendered. If the court shall then decide as a matter of law, that the party requesting the directed verdict was entitled thereto, and if the verdict of the jury is adverse to the party making such request, the court shall enter its decision on the record and order judgment in accordance with such decision notwithstanding the verdict entered."
This language clearly indicates that the legislature intended that the decision of the trial court, as to whether the party making the motion for a directed verdict is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, involves a decision of such motion. In other words, the statute does not contemplate passing on a subsequent motion made after the verdict of the jury is returned, presenting questions other than those raised by the motion for a directed verdict, or a determination based on such added grounds. If defendant's contention is correct the conclusion necessarily follows that a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict may be predicated wholly on grounds not covered by the motion for a directed verdict. However, it is the latter motion on which the court reserves his decision and it is that motion which the statute contemplates shall be decided if the verdict of the jury is against the moving party. It is fair to assume that if the legislature intended any such result as is involved in defendant's contention, such intent would have been clearly expressed. As indicated, the language of the statute is at variance with defendant's theory.
We are concerned in the case at bar solely with the procedure authorized by the Empson act. The previously established practice as recognized in Plunkett v. Railway Co.,
If in any case the trial court concludes that a motion for a directed verdict, made as contemplated by the Empson act, is well founded, proper practice requires that he assign his reason, or reasons, for granting such motion. Parsille v. Brown,
In Smalley v. Railway Co.,
"We think the reasons given by courts, requiring the grounds upon which a motion for nonsuit is based to be specified, in order that the court may know upon what question of law the case is asked to be taken from the jury, and the party against whom the motion is directed may be afforded opportunity to correct the defects, if they admit of correction, and can be obviated by additional evidence, apply with equal force to a motion for a direction of a verdict. If such opportunity should be afforded him on a motion of nonsuit, which, if granted, not being an adjudication on the merits, and not a bar to another action, for much stronger reasons should such opportunity be given him on a motion for a direction of a verdict, which, if granted, would be a bar to another action." *28
In reaching such conclusion the court cited with approvalDemill v. Moffat,
In Estate of Easton,
"Evidently, therefore, the main purpose of the statute in requiring such a motion to be made as a condition precedent to the exercise of the court's power to render judgment nonobstante veredicto is to give the party against whom the motion is directed an opportunity to introduce whatever further and additional evidence he may have at hand to overcome the grounds of the motion."
See, also, Estate of Caldwell,
It does not appear that the precise question raised in the case at bar has heretofore been passed on squarely by this Court. However, the language used in the determination of cases involving the Empson act tends to support the conclusion of the trial court. Thus, in Yacobian v. Vartanian,
"The order for such judgment may be made upon a reserved decision of a motion to direct a verdict. The same considerations obtain as upon the decision of a motion to direct a verdict. The evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the party against whom the direction is sought."
Likewise, in Davis v. Belmont Creamery Co.,
"The judgment non obstante veredicto was based upon the court's decision on a reserved motion for *29 a directed verdict, and in determining said motion the same considerations are applicable as are pertinent to the determination of a motion for a directed verdict. A verdict cannot properly be directed for one party when an issue of fact, as in the instant case, is presented for the jury's determination."
See, also, Fidelity Deposit Co. of Maryland v. Verheyden,
For the reasons above stated we hold that the Empson act may not be construed as authorizing the inclusion in a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict of grounds not fairly covered by the motion for a directed verdict as presented prior to the submission of the case to the jury. Under the express terms of the statute it is the latter motion that counsel are permitted to argue and which the trial court is required to determine if the verdict is against the moving party. In the case at bar the trial court was correct in his interpretation of the statute.
Counsel on both sides have argued at some length in their briefs on the merits of defendant's claims that the alleged incorrect answers in the application affected the issuance of the policy and also increased the hazard of the insurer. On the record before us, we think that such claims presented questions of fact which plaintiffs were entitled to have determined by the jury. The inclusion thereof in a motion for a directed verdict would not have entitled defendant to judgment as a matter of law. The conclusions above stated with reference to defendant's claim, based on the assumption that representations materially false were contained in the application, that assured was bound thereby, that *30 the knowledge of defendant's agent was not imputable to it, and that the presumption of fraud involving actual intent to deceive necessarily followed, are equally applicable to the added claims in question. Defendant's introduction of testimony in an attempt to show that the policy would not have been issued had the questions in the application been correctly answered, and the requests to charge presented in its behalf, indicate that on the trial the issues referred to were regarded as questions of fact. The inferences to be drawn from the evidence were for the jury to determine.
Other matters raised on the record do not call for specific discussion. They are in substance covered by the determination of the questions above considered. The motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict was properly denied. The judgment entered on the verdict is affirmed, with costs to plaintiffs.
BUTZEL, C.J., and BUSHNELL, SHARPE, BOYLES, REID, and NORTH, JJ., concurred. STARR, J., took no part in the decision of this case. *31