71 F.2d 360 | 5th Cir. | 1934
This is an appeal from a judgment awarding recovery on a policy of war risk insurance issued to appellee while a soldier in the service of the United States. At the close of the evidence the government moved for a directed verdict, which was denied. The case went to- the jury and resulted in a verdict up>on which judgment was entered. Error is assigned to the overruling of the motion to direct.
The following appears from the record: The policy lapsed for nonpayment of premiums on June 1,19210. Suit was filed December 4, 1931, more than eleven yeaxs later. Prior to his induction into the Army, Owen was a telegraph lineman by trade. He gave his history from the time of Ms discharge showing that he worked at Ms trade for two or three weeks in 1921, about three months in 1924, and some fifteen days in 1925. He drove a truck and a taxicab, each for a few days. He said he could not work at anything continuously because of Ms poor physical condition. He sold rubber goods, such as seat covers, etc., on commission for a time but this was not profitable. He was in four government hospitals and three or four civilian hospitals and was treated1 by a number of doctors. He introduced a rating sheet issued by the Veterans’ Bureau under date of April 19, 1929; covering the period from his discharge to January 18', 1928. This rating sheet was as follows: “Temporary partial less than 10% from discharge to 10-30-19. Temporary partial 10% from 10-30^10.to 5-13-20. Temporary total from 5-13-20 to 3-20-231 Temporary partial 10% from 3-20-23 to 4r-8-25. Temporary total from 4-8-25 to 7-1-25. Temporary partial 30% from 7-1-25 to 7-29^25. Temporary total from 7-29^25, to 3-5-26. Temporary partial 75% from 3-5-26 to 10-15-26. Temporary partial 79% from 10-15-26 to 1-18-26 (28). Temporary partial 56% from 1-18-28.” He received $840 as compensation. Owen introduced the testimony of four lay witnesses but this evidence does not tend to show that lie was unable to do any work at all. He introduced the testimony of Dr. Roan, who stated he had treated Owen in 1920 or 1921 and at various times down to the date of trial. When he first saw him he was very nervous and had a little trouble with Ms heart heating very irregularly, had trouble with Ms lower abdomen, and at times would complain of pains in his Mps and legs. He thought Owen was then permanently and totally disabled and unable to follow continuously any gainful occupation without injury to his health and this condition had continued since he first saw him. Dr. Roan stated he was a general practitioner and disclaimed being a heart specialist. He had kept no records of Owen’s case and testified entirely from memory. Owen introduced the testimony of Dr. Walker, who had treated him first in December, 1929; and again in September, 1933. He was asked if Owen was permanently disabled and answered that he did not know much about the character of the work of a telegraph lineman. If it was very laborious work, it would probably be some embarrassment to Ms condition, but that would depend upon the function of Ms heart. If it was compensating and doing its work, he could live a long time, but it would tend to make him tire easily if the effort put forth was carried to excess; that he thought there were some occupations that Owen could follow. The government introduced the evidence of Drs. Ballard, Ehlert,
The burden was on plaintiff to show with reasonable certainty by a clear preponderance of the evidence that he was totally and permanently disabled while the policy was in force and could not continuously follow any gainful occupation. It was not enough for Mm to show that he was temporarily totally disabled at times or that ho was permanently partially disabled. Except for the testimony of Dr. Roan, there is no evidence in the record that would support the burden. It is clear that Dr. Roan’s opinion does not rest upon any substantial foundation. . His evidence at best is not more than a mere scintilla. We tMnk it was error to deny the motion for a directed verdict in favor of the government. U. S. v. Howard (C. C. A.) 64 F.(2ld) 533; U. S. v. Linkhart (C. C. A.) 64 E.(2d) 747; U. S. v. McLaughlin (C. C. A.) 53 P.(2d) 450; U. S. v. Kerr (C. C. A.) 61 F.(2d) 800.
On appeal the suggestion was made in argument that the suit was barred by the statute of limitations incorporated in the Act of July 3,1930 (section 4), amending section 191 of the World War Veterans’ Act 1924 (38 USCA § 445). Conceding that the limitation is jurisdictional and we eould consider it on appeal on the suggestion of counsel, in this case, we are unable to do so as it is not shown clearly by the record that limitation had run. On a new trial this point may be raised and the pertinent facts shown.
Reversed and remanded.