Harlan v. Aetna Life Insurance

As the result of an automobile collision on April 16, 1966, the lens and iris of Mr. Harlan’s left eye were severely damaged. At the time of the injury, he was insured by Aetna Life Insurance Company under a group policy which provided a benefit for “the entire and irrecov erable loss of sight” in an eye as a direct and proximate result of and within 90 days of an accidental injury.

Surgery was performed immediately, but Mr. Harlan lost 60 per cent of the iris and all useful portions of the lens of his eye. After surgery, because his uncorrected left eye vision was no better than 20/400, he…