Mutual Life Ins. Co. v. Rather

John E. and Hugh H. Rather, Jr., as beneficiaries, sued the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York to recover a double indemnity benefit of $3,000 on the life of their father, Hugh H. Rather, deceased. There was a verdict for the plaintiffs, and the insurance company appealed.

The sole question presented by the pleadings and proof was whether or not the death “resulted directly from bodily injury . . . independently and exclusively of all other causes, and that such bodily injury was effected solely through external, violent and accidental means, . . .” and not “directly or indirectly from…