Hrnjak v. Graymar, Inc.

Opinion

MOSK, J.

Plaintiff appeals from a judgment rendered on a verdict in his favor in the amount of $6,100 in an action for personal injuries against defendants. We consider under what circumstances a defendant in a tort action may introduce evidence of plaintiff’s receipt of collateral source benefits for the purpose of establishing that plaintiff had a motive for feigning injury and refusing to resume gainful occupation.

On April 12, 1965, plaintiff’s car was struck from behind by a brakeless General Motors truck owned by Graymar, Inc. Plaintiff, a 30-year-old carpenter, was in the process…