Wachovia Bank & Trust Co. v. Atlantic Greyhound Lines

The trial court instructed the jury with respect to the mortuary table as follows: “So the court instructs you, by referring to the mortuary table of the statute, that the expectancy of a person 59 years of age would be fourteen and sevem-tenths years.” This was assigned as error, and the Superior Court sustained the exception. The ruling is supported by the decisions in Taylor v. Construction Co., 193 N. C., 775, 138 S. E., 129, and Hubbard v. R. R., 203 N. C., 675, 166 S. E., 802.

The use of the mortuary table seems quite easily misunderstood. It is competent as evidence, but only “as…