Old v. Cooney Detective Agency

The State Industrial Accident Commission disallowed a widow’s claim for compensation benefits for the death of her husband. At the conclusion of the testimony on appeal to the Superior Court of Baltimore, the trial judge directed a verdict for the employer. In her appeal, the widow argues that it was error for the lower court, after permitting the case to be tried on one issue, (a) to withdraw it and substitute another issue in its place, and (b) to instruct the jury to answer the new issue adversely to the widow.

Rule 633 of the Rules of the Supreme Bench of Baltimore City provides that…