Hairston v. Liberty Nat. Life Ins. Co.

Maggie J. Hairston appeals from a summary judgment entered in favor of the defendant, Liberty National Life Insurance Company, in an action alleging breach of contract and bad faith failure to pay an insurance claim. The question presented is whether the trial court erred in holding that, as a matter of law, the death of Ms. Hairston's ex-husband, James L. Hairston, by acute ethanol poisoning, was not "accidental" within the terms of the insurance policy on Mr. Hairston's life.

The facts leading up to the death of Mr. Hairston are undisputed. On the night of his death, he and three companions…