Doran v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States

Plaintiff appeals from the trial court’s grant of a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. GCR 1963, 515.2.

Plaintiff initiated this action in circuit court alleging that she, as beneficiary of a $25,000 life insurance policy purchased by her late husband, was entitled to payment under that policy’s double indemnity provision. This provision provided for double payment to the beneficiary if death resulted from an "accidental bodily injury * * * ”. However, if the insured died from "any drug, poison, gas or fumes voluntarily or involuntarily taken, administered, absorbed or inhaled” the double…