Case ID: nys_30/html/0328-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "CULLEN, J.", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

(80 Hun, 390.)
    BENNETT v. WOOLFOLK et al.
    (Supreme Court, General Term, Second Department
    July 27, 1894.)
    Receivers—Right to Sue for Prior Trespasses.
    A receiver may sue for a trespass on lands of the estate, committed before his appointment.
    Appeal from Westchester county court.
    Action by Frank A. Bennett, receiver, against Edward G-. Wool-folk and another for trespass on land. From a judgment entered on a verdict in favor of plaintiff, and from an order denying a motion for a new trial, defendants appeal. Affirmed.
    Argued before BROWN, P. J., and DYKMAN and CULLEN, JJ.
    Wm. J. Marshall, for appellants.
    Frank A. Bennett, for respondent.
   CULLEN, J.

This is an appeal from a judgment of the county court entered upon the verdict of a jury. The action is for trespass on the lands of one Quinn, by digging holes in his dooryard, anchoring there cables for defendant’s derricks, and piling stones on bis sidewalk. In supplementary proceedings against Quinn, the plaintiff was appointed receiver. But one exception was taken on the trial, that to the refusal to dismiss the complaint. The motion was based on the ground that the cause of action was not assignable, and did not pass to the receiver. This is plainly untenable. All causes of action for injuries to property rights survive to personal representatives, and are therefore assignable. Code, § 1910; 2 Rev. St. pp. 447, 448; Byxbie v. Wood, 24 N. Y. 607. It is now objected, that there was no evidence to show the amount of damage. These damages were not justly the subject of expert testimony. It was-not for witnesses, but for the jury, to say what would be a fair compensation for the inconvenience of posts and cables in the dooryard, and stones obstructing the sidewalk. The judgment and order denying new trial should be affirmed, with costs. All concur..