Ryan v. Friede

The sole issue in this case is whether or not the defendant-insurer can claim that its liability is limited to $10,000 (rather than $20,000) due to the fact that the plaintiff, in effect, is the only one damaged as a result of the defendant-insured’s negligence, although two persons were injured in the single accident (one of the injured dying instantly).

Under sec. 331.04, Stats., there is no question but what the plaintiff, John Ryan, can bring an action for the wrongful death of his wife. This is undisputed. Under sec. 331.04 (2), the amount recovered under the wrongful-death statute shall…