Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance v. Akens
Supreme Court of the United States
ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OP THE UNITED STATES POR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OP PENNSYLVANIA’. This was an action of assumpsit, brought January 14, 1888, by the executor of Archibald O. Smith, both citizens of Penm sylvania, against a life insurance compaii3r, a corporation of Connecticut, upon a policy of- insurance, dated January 14, 1887, on Smith’s life in the sum of $10,000, payable in “ thirty days after due notice and satisfactory evidence ” of his death, and upon the…
Read the full summary
ERROR TO THE CIRCUIT COURT OP THE UNITED STATES POR THE WESTERN DISTRICT OP PENNSYLVANIA’. This was an action of assumpsit, brought January 14, 1888, by the executor of Archibald O. Smith, both citizens of Penm sylvania, against a life insurance compaii3r, a corporation of Connecticut, upon a policy of- insurance, dated January 14, 1887, on Smith’s life in the sum of $10,000, payable in “ thirty days after due notice and satisfactory evidence ” of his death, and upon the express conditions that “ the following risks are not assumed by this company under this contract,” and that “ in each and…
1Opinion of the CourtJustice Gray
This case is governed by a uniform series of decisions of this court, establishing that if one whose life is insured intentionally kills himself when his reasoning faculties are so far impaired by insanity that he is unable to understand the moral character of his act, even if he does understand its physical nature, consequence, and effect, it is not a “ suicide,” or “ self-destruction,” or “dying by his own han I,” within the meaning of those words in a clause excepting such risks out of the policy, and containing no further words expressly extending the exemption to such a case. Life Ins.…
2Cases cited7 opinions
- Travellers' Insurance v. McConkeySupreme Court of the United States · 1888
- Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance v. LathropSupreme Court of the United States · 1884
- Accident Insurance v. CrandalSupreme Court of the United States · 1887
- Bigelow v. Berkshire Life InsuranceSupreme Court of the United States · 1876
- Life Insurance v. TerrySupreme Court of the United States · 1873
2 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by39 opinions
- Ruvolo v. American Casualty Co.Supreme Court of New Jersey · 1963
- Spruill v. Northwestern Mutual Life InsuranceSupreme Court of North Carolina · 1897
- Mutual Life Insurance v. DurdenCourt of Appeals of Georgia · 1911
- Provident Life & Accident Ins. v. PrietoTennessee Supreme Court · 1935
- Exxon Corporation v. BrecheenTexas Supreme Court · 1975
34 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.