Watkins v. Prudential Insurance

Opinion by

Mr. Justice Maxey,

The question here is whether or not in an action on an insurance policy, the so-called “presumption against suicide” can take the place of evidence of accidental death in sustaining an averment of death “effected solely through external, violent and accidental means.”

On June 3, 1924, Norman C. Watkins obtained a policy of insurance from the appellant company in which the latter agreed to pay the insured’s wife, Elizabeth M. Watkins, the sum of $20,000 upon receipt of due proof of the death of the insured during the continuance of the policy. It also agreed to pay…