Fletcher v. Security Life & Trust Co.

Are the terms “accidental death” and “death by external accidental means” synonymous ? Plaintiff’s right to recover depends, in a large measure, upon the answer.

Upon this question there is a distinct cleavage of judicial opinion. Some courts hold that they are synonymous — others that they are not. With us it is not a novel question. This Court has already adopted the view that there is a distinct difference in the meaning of the two terms and that the coverage of the policy is materially affected by the use of the one or the other. Scott v. Ins. Co., 208 N. C., 160, 179 S. E., 843; Harris v.…