Cramer v. John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance

Jayne, C. C. J.

This action rested fundamentally upon two policies of insurance on the life of one Sarah Fedner, now deceased. The defendant acknowledged its obligation to pay to the estate of the deceased the face amount of the policies. The controversy related to the claim of the plaintiff for additional sums of equal amount, commonly known as *368double indemnity or accidental death benefits. The factual question was whether the insured sustained bodily injuries solely through external, violent and accidental means which resulted directly and independently of all other causes in her death. The…