LEGAL DOCUMENT

Case: Charles L. Stafford vs. Benjamin F. Lang
Citation: 25 R.I. 488
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1903-12-16
Docket Number: 
Pages: 488–489
Volume: 25
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports

Parties: Charles L. Stafford vs. Benjamin F. Lang.

Charles L. Stafford vs. Benjamin F. Lang.
PROVIDENCE
DECEMBER 16, 1903.
Present: Stiness, C. J., Tillinghast and Douglas, JJ.
(1) Conversion. Insurance Policy. Measure of Damages.
In an action of trover for the conversion of a matured policy of insurance, where the form of the policy made it payable to any person who had incurred expense on behalf of the insured, which defendant claimed to have done, the measure of damages is prima facie the face of the policy.
Trespass on the Case for conversion of a policy of life in- ’ surance.
Heard on petition of defendant for new trial, and petition denied.

Per Curiam.
The jury found that the defendant had converted a certain policy of insurance for one hundred and eleven dollars, upon the life of William J. Stafford, deceased, and assessed damages in the sum of $100, being the ad damnum laid in the writ.
The court instructed the jury that the measure of damages for the conversion of a matured policy of insurance was prima facie the face of the policy.
Page & Page & Cushing, for plaintiff.
Hugh J. Carroll, for defendant.
We find no error in this ruling.
In the case at bar the form of the policy maile it payable to any person who had incurred expense on behalf of the insured, as the defendant claimed he had done. If the jury, therefore, had found in his favor, he could have collected the face of the policy, and the rule was properly applied.
The petition for a new trial is denied, and the case will be remitted to the Common Pleas Division for judgment upon the verdict.