Reliable Life Insurance Co. v. Rivera

EVANS, Justice.

A “grudge fight” involving four men at Sylvia’s Lounge on November 10, 1973, left Roy Rivera dead from a gunshot wound in his chest. His widow, Connie Rivera brought this action against The Reliable Life Insurance Company to recover accidental death benefits under a policy issued on her husband’s life. The insurance company defended on the basis of a policy limitation which provides that “no accidental death benefit will be payable if death results directly or indirectly from, or is caused by or contributed to by . . . committing or attempting to commit an assault or felony.”

In…