Document: 353 U.S. 43 77 S.Ct. 613 1 L.Ed.2d 631 Leona PEAK, Petitioner,v.UNITED STATES of America. No. 491. Argued Feb. 28, 1957. Decided March 25, Mr. John S. Wrinkle, Chattanooga, Tenn., for the petitioner. George Leonard, Washington, D.C., respondent. Justice DOUGLAS delivered opinion Court. Petitioner instituted this suit in District Court 1954 to recover proceeds a National Service Life Insurance policy. Petitioner's son, insured, has been missing since disappearing from his army unit 1943. The complaint alleges that, prior insured's disappearance, condition was one 'general debility and weakness despondency,' that he had become totally permanently disabled as result certain 'diseases, ailments injuries.' further avers insured died 1943, total permanent disability during time policy force entitled him waiver premiums on 2 dismissed complaint, holding would, under allegations be presumed dead 1950, lapsed interim. 138 F.Supp. 810. Appeals affirmed. 229 F.2d 503. It held contained no which would entitle trier fact conclude at when continued force. Id., 504. We granted certiorari. 352 822, 69, 47. 3 Respondent urges death must have occurred end seven years' unexplained absence, long failure pay premiums. In alternative, it is argued if petitioner's claim founded barred by six-year statute limitations, 38 U.S.C. § 445, U.S.C.A. 445. hold petitioner take her case jury. 4 Congress provided 810, 810 presumption shall arise upon absence period years. Where proof rest primarily may not maintained, practical matter, expiration statutory seven-year period. cause action, therefore, 'accrued' when, she might successfully maintained suit, date limitations should computed. 5 Moreover, nothing provision 'as such my * considered sufficiently proved' precludes beneficiary introducing evidence jury an earlier still United States v. Willhite, Cir., 219 343.* so here, can prove concerning frail health other relevant facts. leaves open precise death, does purpose create conclusive To compute limitation establishes say beneficiary's right expired before could prosecuted lawsuit enforce right. only where proves merely 'contingency founded,' used must, mean arose. 6 That seems us common sense matter; often makes good law. 7 Furthermore disappearance proved, bring within premium provisions 802(n), 802(n). Since filed year subsequent including lesser waiver. Hence, even though found actual later than coverage continue. As we read alternative action also accrued until 1950; run brought. 8 judgment reversed remanded trial. 9 Reversed. 10 WHITTAKER took part consideration decision case. 11 HARLAN, whom FRANKFURTER BURTON join, concurring dissenting part. 12 sues benefits Policy life draftee Army. whose substantial are these: disappeared post Army or about July 30, heard since. At some before, continuously thereafter suffered 'cholera, nervous trouble, mental St. Vitus Dance, generally prevented pursuing any gainful occupation policy, 'to said continue full effect death.' then alleged reason 'the law presumes (petitioner) while . became proceeds. finally made 'due application' Veterans Administration insurance contract construed being assured's death,' but application refused 18, 1951. 13 Actions policies issued Act governed limitations.1 Section 610 Act, abolishes all state presumptions connection with these policies, substitutes absence.2 And 602(n) provides conditions, applications after death.3 14 affirmed dismissal insufficiency limitations.4 This holds sufficient barred. 15 If clearly timely recover. I agree liberally read, states facts allow prove. 16 Assuming, however, longer think dissent aspect Court's holding. indeed now assume soon thereafter. But time, therefore six years; brought 1954. Yet asks purposes use occurs order postpone accrual necessarily allegedly occurring beginning do understand how accept theory. years accrued, accrues 'happening contingency founded.'5 here starts running insured. Towery, 306 324, 59 522, 83 L.Ed. 678. avers, thereafter, 1949. For relying cases disappearances. She cannot rely latter, unequivocally stated created period, then, hypothesis, effect.6 17 dilemma faces self-inflicted. fair choice. it. If, hand, all, keep alive payment years, more sue basis 18 says rights.' neither logic nor argument. Surely every runs yet something proved itself. litigation plaintiff need trial both there limitations. Why unfair who 1943 thereafter? Not unlikely will better position 1949, whole essence behind statutes counter assumption. 19 harsh, left free same either turn up passed; wait suing death.7 another way urging waived difficulty collecting given statute. consistent particularly against States, tolled, without authorization, because carry burden McIver Ragan, Wheat. 175; McMahon 342 72 17, 96 26; Pillsbury Engineering Co., 197, 223, 225; Unexcelled Chemical Corp. 345 59, 73 580, 57 821. 20 Important considerations buttress opinion. Hereafter may, keeping alive, thirteen using allege theretofore. intervening loss due witnesses, clouding recollection others, records. very Government put task meeting numerous respect physical condition, circumstances likely movements disappearance. me, save litigants burdensome effort having collect meet stale evidence. overrides today give plaintiff, human appeal, chance Thus bad made. view codified. Davie Briggs, 97 628, 634, 24 1086, said, 'If appears absent person, encountered specific peril, came range impending immediate danger, reasonably expected destroy life, court infer ceased years.' far pertinent provides: 'No (coverted) allowed section unless made: Provided, deemed happening *.' State providing applicable claims Insurance. satisfactory Administrator produced establishing individual home family existence received, subchapter, proved.' 'Upon regulations promulgate, continuous continues consecutive months, commenced (1) insurance, (2) premium-paying (3) sixtieth birthday *. Provided further, finds make submit continuance beyond control, grant premiums: event filing waiver, beneficiary, August 1, 1946, whichever later, or, insane minor, removal legal disability, file section. *' raised none death. 1086. Congress, did adopt common-law rule enunciated declaring absence. see why uncertain whether protect himself See Fed.Rules Civ.Proc., 8(e)(2), 28 untenable suggest demurrable prematurely

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