Espinoza v. Equitable Life Assurance Society of the United States

Mr. Presiding Justice Tuohy

delivered the opinion of the court.

Plaintiffs, as beneficiaries, each filed suit on a $2,000 certificate of insurance issued by the defendant in favor of each of their husbands, Pedro Espinoza and Esteban Martinez. The cases, consolidated below, were tried before a jury, resulting in verdicts in favor of both plaintiffs for the face amount of each certificate plus interest. Motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdicts was allowed, and for a new trial denied.

Insured decedents had been friends for a number of years, having been schoolboys together in Texas, and…