Case ID: njl_69/html/0226-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "Per Curiam.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

LORENDA G. CASWELL AND ALEXANDER CASWELL, HER HUSBAND, v. THE NORTH JERSEY STREET RAILWAY COMPANY.
    Argued November 7, 1902
    Decided February 24, 1903.
    1. Where the amount fixed by the jury cannot be declared inadequate, a verdict will not be set aside, although a considerably larger sum could not have been declared to be excessive.
    2. Where a jury rendered a verdict in favor of a husband for $100 for the deprivation of the society of his wife and for the expenses necessarily incurred bjr him by reason of her injuries, and indisputable evidence shows that lie has paid out a sum considerably in excess of that amount, it will be set aside as inadequate.
    On rule to show cause allowed to plaintiff.
    Before G.ummere, Chief Justice, and JusticesVAN Syckeu, Port and Pitney.
    For the plaintiffs, Benjamin & Benjamin.
    
    For the defendant, Howard MacSherry.
    
   Per Curiam.

This was an action -for personal injuries received by the female plaintiff. The jury rendered a verdict of $500 in favor of the wife, and of $100 in favor of the husband. The contention on behalf of the plaintiffs is that the amounts allowed by the jury in each instance are too small. So far as the amount allowed by the jury to the wife as compensation for the'injury received by her is concerned, although a considerably larger sum could not have been declared to be excessive, yet, on the other hand, the amount fixed by them cannot be declared inadequate. The verdict in her favor, therefore, must stand.

The compensation allowed to the husband for the deprivation of the society of his wife, and for the expenses neeessarily incurred by him by reason of her injuries, is clearly inadequate. The undisputed evidence in the case shows that he has either paid out, or is legally liable to pay, for medical attendance to his wife necessitated by her injury, and for other expenses rendered necessary thereby, a sum considerably in excess of the amount allowed to him by the jury. The verdict in favor of the husband should, therefore, be set aside and a new trial allowed to him.