Searle v. Allstate Life Insurance

38 Cal.3d 425 (1985)

696 P.2d 1308

212 Cal. Rptr. 466

ALICE M. SEARLE, Plaintiff and Appellant,

v.

ALLSTATE LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY, Defendant and Respondent.

Docket No. L.A. 31703.

Supreme Court of California.

April 4, 1985.

COUNSEL

Norvin L. Grauf for Plaintiff and Appellant.

Adams, Duque & Hazeltine, James L. Nolan and Ronni B. MacLaren for Defendant and Respondent.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, John L. Endicott, Daniel M. Kolkey and Pamela J. Thomason as Amici Curiae on behalf of Defendant and Respondent.

OPINION

REYNOSO, J.

Martin Searle died as a result of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Under…