Case ID: cal_54/html/0599-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Department No. 1, by the Court:", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

[No. 6,475.]
    FITZGERALD v. THE UNION INS. CO.
    Fire Insurance—Proof of Loss—Fraud—Verdict—Conflict of Evidence.
    Appeal from a judgment for the plaintiff, in the Third District Court, County of Alameda. McKee, J.
    Action upon a policy of fire insurance. The policy provided that the assured should, in case of loss or damage- by fire, give in a sworn statement of the amount of loss, etc.; and further provided, that “ all fraud or attempt at fraud by false swearing, or otherwise,” should cause a forfeiture of the policy. The complaint, which was verified, alleged the loss to be $5,250, and that plaintiff had given to the defendant due notice and proof of the samo. The jury rendered a general verdict for the sum of $2,375.
    
      Sidney V. Smith & Son, for Appellant.
    The discrepancy between the verdict and the sworn statement is $2,875. In cases of so great a variance, courts set aside the verdict, as, in effect finding fraud on the part of the assured. (Wall v. Howard Insurance Co. 7 Hubbard, (Me.) 32; Levy v. Baillie, 7 Bing. 349).
    
      
      Jas. C. Martin, and J. P. Ryan, for Respondent.
   Department No. 1, by the Court:

There was a substantial conflict in the evidence. Judgment affirmed.