Court Opinion

ID: 9636138
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 14:17:44.366662+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:09:42.570768
License: Public Domain

WILBUR, Circuit Judge
(concurring in part and dissenting in part).
I cannot agree that the verdicts of the jury should be reinstated and given effect by the requirement that the lower court render judgment in conformity therewith. The trial judge set aside the verdicts and made its own findings of fact to the effect that no notice, either oral or written, was given to the Insurance Company by the insured ; and rendered judgment in its favor. It was admitted that no timely written notice was given. Assuming that this treatment of the jury’s verdicts was erroneous, it does not follow that, if we reversed the judgment of the trial court based on its findings of fact, we should reinstate the jury’s verdicts which the trial court rejected because of an erroneous view of his authority. The appellants have not asked that this be done. They each pray that the judgment of the trial court be reversed. In this circuit that implies a request for a new trial. See Indemnity Ins. Co. v. Levering, 9 Cir., 59 F.2d 719, 720, Moreover, the propriety of reinstating the verdicts and ordering judgment thereon has not been briefed or argued.
I agree with my associates that the decree should be reversed, but I am of the opinion that the lower court should be ordered to grant a new trial.