Source: http://masscases.com/cases/app/2/2massappct800.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 15:37:41+00:00

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LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY vs. MARKET STREET GARAGE & TOWING SERVICE, INC.
This is an action of replevin brought by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company (Liberty) to recover an automobile towed by order of the Boston police. By its "answer" Market Street Garage & Towing Service, Inc. (Garage) claimed a lien for storage. A District Court judge found that Liberty's automobile had not been stolen (see G. L. c. 266, Section 29A, inserted by St. 1971, c. 119) or been in an accident (see G. L. c. 255, Section 39A, as amended through St. 1968, c. 190). He also found and ruled that the evidence did not warrant a finding that a lien attached under G. L. c. 255, Section 25; that the automobile had been towed and stored "in a legal manner"; that the question of possession was moot; and that Garage had a lien on the automobile for its charges. On report, the Appellate Division found no error and dismissed the report. Liberty appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court, and the case was transferred to this court pursuant to G. L. c. 211A, Section 12. The only issue before us is whether Garage had a lien for its charges on Liberty's vehicle. It agrees that it had no lien at common law (see North End Auto Park, Inc. v. Petringa Trucking Co. Inc. 337 Mass. 618 , 620 ). From the record before us we conclude that no lien attached under G. L. c. 255, Section 25 or Section 39A, or under G. L. c. 266, Section 29A. Garage does not cite any other statute under which such a lien could arise. There is nothing in the record to show that the automobile was ordered to be or was towed pursuant to any rule or regulation adopted under St. 1929, c. 263, Section 2 (as amended through St. 1968, c. 494). The order of the Appellate Division is reversed. The finding for Garage is vacated, and a finding is to be entered for Liberty.
CHARLES F. ANDERSON & another vs. GERALD R. OSGOOD & others.
Gerald and Judy. The case is before us on Judy's bill of exceptions, which alleges error in (1) the refusal of the court to direct a verdict for her, and (2) a portion of the judge's charge to the jury. No question is raised as to the propriety of the verdict against Gerald. 1. There was no error in refusing to direct a verdict. Viewing the evidence in its aspect most favorable to the plaintiff (Randolph v. Five Guys From Boston, Inc. 354 Mass. 730 , 731 ), it could have been found that while Judy and Gerald were returning to Connecticut from a trip to Woods Hole in a car owned by her father, Judy, who had been driving, began to feel ill and requested Gerald to drive. Gerald drove and Judy sat in the passenger seat. From this evidence it could have been found that an agency relationship came into existence by virtue of Judy's request that Gerald operate the vehicle. Restatement 2d: Agency, Section 1. Whether an agency relationship exists is ordinarily a question of fact. Stern v. Lieberman, 307 Mass. 77 , 81 (1940). That Judy may not in fact have exercised control over Gerald's operation of the car is not decisive. See Konick v. Berke, Moore Co. Inc. 355 Mass. 463 , 467-468 (1969). Judy's liability as a principal in a situation such as this one is governed by the decisions in Dooley v. Laird, 258 Mass. 517 , 519 (1927); Wheeler v. Darmochwat, 280 Mass. 553 , 556-558 (1932); Pistorio v. Williams Buick, Inc. 341 Mass. 155 , 157-158 (1960); and Bates v. Callahan, 347 Mass. 772 (1964). 2. From our examination of the record it appears that the only exception taken to the charge was to that portion which concerned the possible existence of a principal-agent relationship between Judy and Gerald. Earlier in the charge the judge had carefully outlined the requisites of the agency relationship; no exception was taken to that part of the charge. After objection was made and exception taken, the judge charged further with respect to the possible agency relationship. No further exception was taken. It is well settled that the charge must be examined as a whole, and that isolated fragments of it cannot be examined out of context. Wilson v. Boston Redevelopment Authy. 1 Mass. App. Ct. 870 (1974), and cases cited. Considered as a whole, the charge was adequate. When the portion excepted to is read in context it does not appear that the judge misstated the applicable law.

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