Opinion ID: 1443016
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Welfare and Social Security

Text: Public assistance and social security constitute benefits from a collateral source, and they are not subject to offset from an award of damages. See Trujillo v. Chavez, 76 N.M. 703, 708, 417 P.2d 893, 897 (1966); Mobley v. Garcia, 54 N.M. 175, 177-78, 217 P.2d 256, 257 (1950); see also Maxfield v. Sinclair Int'l, 766 F.2d 788, 793-95 (3d Cir.1985), cert. denied, 474 U.S. 1057, 106 S.Ct. 796, 88 L.Ed.2d 773 (1986); Littlejohn v. Null Mfg. Co., 31 Empl.Prac. Dec. (CCH) ¶ 33,587 (W.D.N.C. 1983), aff'd, 732 F.2d 150 (4th Cir.), cert. denied, 469 U.S. 900, 105 S.Ct. 276, 83 L.Ed.2d 212 (1984). Public sources that provide subsistence income do not constitute a windfall such that they should be offset against a damage award, especially when considered in light of the discriminatory activities of FDC that forced Smith and his family onto the public dole.