Swift v. Dickerman
Supreme Court of Connecticut
Action of slander ; tried to the jury in the superior court, on the general issue with notice, before Me Curdy, J. The slanderous words charged in the declaration were as follows, the plaintiff being a physician : — “ Dr. Swift loses almost all his patients.” “ I wonder any respectable person should employ Dr. Swift.” “ Do you employ Dr. Swift ? Any body might as well die as to have him.”
Read the full summary
Action of slander ; tried to the jury in the superior court, on the general issue with notice, before Me Curdy, J. The slanderous words charged in the declaration were as follows, the plaintiff being a physician : — “ Dr. Swift loses almost all his patients.” “ I wonder any respectable person should employ Dr. Swift.” “ Do you employ Dr. Swift ? Any body might as well die as to have him.” Upon the trial the plaintiff offered witnesses to prove the speaking of the words charged. The defendant objected to the admission of their testimony, for the reason that on the trial of a former suit…
1Opinion of the CourtSanford, J.
This is an action for words spoken, which impute to the plaintiff, a practising physician and surgeon, the want of professional knowledge and skill.
The defendant pleaded the general issue, with notice that upon the trial he would offer evidence of more than thirty specified cases of professional treatment on the part of the plaintiff in which he “ did not possess and employ such knowledge and skill as a physician of suitable professional knowledge and skill would and ought to employ.” Upon the trial of the issue the plaintiff offered certain witnesses to prove the speaking of the words set…
2Cases cited6 opinions
- Seger v. Town of BarkhamstedSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1852
- Mix v. WoodwardSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1837
- Olmsted v. BrownNew York Supreme Court · 1852
- Williams v. MinerSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1847
- Andrews v. VanduzerNew York Supreme Court · 1814
1 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by23 opinions
- Garrison v. Sun Printing & Publishing Ass'nNew York Court of Appeals · 1912
- Yavis v. SullivanSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1950
- Rosenberg v. MasonSupreme Court of Virginia · 1931
- Bigelow v. SpragueMassachusetts Supreme Judicial Court · 1886
- Donaghue v. GaffySupreme Court of Connecticut · 1885
18 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.