Case Name: ANNA SAKOS (SOCKOS), ADMINISTRATRIX AD PROSEQUENDUM OF STEPHEN SAKOS, DECEASED, PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, v. HARRISON BYERS AND MABEL B. BYERS, DEFENDANTS-RESPONDENTS
Court: New Jersey Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: New Jersey
Decision Date: 1932-10-17
Citations: 109 N.J.L. 302
Docket Number: 
Parties: ANNA SAKOS (SOCKOS), ADMINISTRATRIX AD PROSEQUENDUM OF STEPHEN SAKOS, DECEASED, PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, v. HARRISON BYERS AND MABEL B. BYERS, DEFENDANTS-RESPONDENTS.
Judges: 
Reporter: New Jersey Law Reports
Volume: 109
Pages: 302–303

Head Matter:
ANNA SAKOS (SOCKOS), ADMINISTRATRIX AD PROSEQUENDUM OF STEPHEN SAKOS, DECEASED, PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT, v. HARRISON BYERS AND MABEL B. BYERS, DEFENDANTS-RESPONDENTS.
Argued May 23, 1932 —
Decided October 17, 1932.
For the plaintiff-appellant, Silber & Silber (Osie M. Silber).
For the defendants-respondents, Frank G. Turner.

Opinion:
The opinion of the court was delivered by
Bodine, J.
The plaintiff brought this action as administrator ad prosequendum, under the Death act. 2 Comp. Stat., p. 1904; 1 Cum. Supp. Comp. Stat., p. 926. The jury returned a verdict of no cause of action and the plaintiff appeals. It appears from the record that an attempt at settlement was made with the general administrator and money was paid thereunder. The learned trial judge directed the jury that in assessing damages credit should be given for the amount so paid. In this there was error.
The statute (Pamph. L. 1917, p. 531; 1 Cum. Supp. Comp. Stat., p. 928) gives the right of action to the administrator ad prosequendum. That the monej^s recovered are distributed by the general administrator, according to the law, can in no way affect the right of action. Stagg v. McCann, 95 N. J. Eq. 53; 96 Id. 327. Nor does the circumstance that the general administrator may recover for the loss to the estate between injury and death affect the present action. Soden v. Trenton and Mercer Traction Co., 101 N. J. L. 393.
The 1917 amendment to the Death act changes the procedure to enforce the claim given by the Death act. It vests the right of action for a wrongful death in the administrator ad prosequendum. The legislature not only gave a cause of action but vested the right to enforce the same in a special administrator. The right to enforce the claim exists until the recovery of final judgment, and the acts of a stranger cannot disturb the proceeding.
Other matters suggested in the record need no discussion.
The judgment is reversed.
For affirmance — None.
For reversal — The Chancellor, Trenchard, Parker, Lloyd, Case, Bodine, Brogan, Yan Bttskirk, Kays, Dear, Wells, Kerney, JJ. 12.