Aetna Life Insurance v. Prater's Administratrix

Opinion of the Court by

Stanley, Commissioner

Reversing.

Wilbur Prater was insured by a group policy issued by the appellant to the employees of the Northwest Coal Company. On July 31, 1931, he, among many others, was laid off from work indefinitely in a general reduction of forces. His insurance was thereupon automatically canceled unless it should have developed that the layoff was temporary. Prater died August 11, 1932, of ulcer of the stomach. Several months later the insurance company was notified of his death and an informal request was made for payment of the indemnity for total and…