Title: Brown v. Dunstan
Citation: 409 S.W.2d 365
Docket Number: N/A
State: Tennessee
Issuer: Tennessee Supreme Court
Date: November 14, 1966

409 S.W.2d 365 (1966) Scott N. BROWN, Plaintiff in Error, v. William DUNSTAN, and Guaranty Mortgage Company, Defendants in Error. Supreme Court of Tennessee. November 14, 1966. *366 H.H. Gearinger, Chattanooga, of counsel, Gearinger &amp; Vineyard, Chattanooga, for Scott N. Brown. John T. Fort, Chattanooga, for William Dunstan and Guaranty Mortgage Co. DYER, Justice. The plaintiff in error, Scott N. Brown, appeals from the action of the trial judge in sustaining a demurrer to his declaration and dismissing the suit. In this opinion the parties will be referred to as in the trial court. The declaration alleges defendants entered into a conspiracy to defraud and discredit him and to oust him from his position with First Trust Company and deliver First Trust Company to the defendant Guaranty Mortgage Company. Certain overt acts are alleged in accomplishing such and as a direct and proximate result plaintiff suffered damages of $750,000.00 in that: (1) he was and still is imprisoned for alleged wrongful acts, thereby depriving him of an opportunity to earn a living; (2) that he suffered the loss of his renumerative positions in First Trust Company; (3) the loss of approximately 70% of the stock of First Trust Company valued then at approximately $1,000,000.00; (4) and further loss of income otherwise than from First Trust Company; (5) that as a result of the wrongs of the defendants as charged, he, the plaintiff has wrongfully been reduced from his former position of wealth and position in the business and civic community of Chattanooga, Tennessee and the United States, all to the destruction and loss of the plaintiff's property, and all of which chain of actions had its origin in the conspiratorial acts of the defendants, which continue to date, through and by which he has been reduced from a position of wealth and earning power to one of abject pauperism, imprisoned falsely, and otherwise prevented now and for the remainder of his life, from gaining material wealth or earning a living. The wrongs alleged in the declaration occurred on or about 3 April, 1962. This suit was commenced by summons on 16 September 1963. The fact this action was not commenced within one year after the action accrued, as required by T.C.A. § 28-304, presents the issue in this case. The trial judge sustained the 12th ground of the demurrer and dismissed the cause upon finding the declaration stated a cause of action "for injuries to the person" as this phrase is used in T.C.A. § 28-304. The trial judge in a memorandum opinion stated: *367 The trial judge cited the case of Bland v. Smith, 197 Tenn. 683, 277 S.W.2d 377, 49 A.L.R.2d 1212 (1955). The Bland case holds in determining the real purpose of a suit the court must look to the basis for which damages are sought. In the case at bar a substantial part of the recovery sought is for damages done to plaintiff's reputation as a business man; father and respected man of society; humiliation, etc. These rights, so alleged to be damaged, are personal and would be included within "for injuries to the person" as this phrase is used in T.C.A. § 28-304. The plaintiff takes the position the phrase "for injuries to the person" in T.C.A. § 28-304 has reference only to bodily injuries resulting from trauma. In support of this position plaintiff cites Hackworth v. Ralston Purina Co., 214 Tenn. 506, 381 S.W.2d 292 (1964) and Rheudasil v. Clower, 197 Tenn. 27, 270 S.W.2d 345, 46 A.L.R.2d 1083 (1953). There are statements in these two cases the phrase "for injuries to the person" refers to bodily injuries, but this is not a holding this phrase is limited to include only bodily injuries. The point here raised is well reasoned in the Rhode Island case of Commerce Oil Refining Corp. v. Miner, R.I., 199 A.2d 606 (1964). In the Miner case the question was whether an action, based on malicious use of process, was barred by a statute of limitations applying to "injuries to the person." The Court said: Judgment affirmed. BURNETT C. J., CHATTIN and CRESON, JJ., and HARBISON, Special Judge, concur.