Court Opinion

ID: 9791651
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:15:18.301638+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:37:37.633326
License: Public Domain

MR. JUSTICE JOHN C. HARRISON,
(dissenting).
I must dissent.
*117As noted by the majority opinion, the coverage of the insurance policy here involved is not only narrow and restrictive but is, in my opinion, against public policy. I would not only leave it to the legislature — I would specifically call it to their attention that many of their constituents are being sold something that has little value.
Here, the claimant is totally disabled and the only reason he fails to recover insurance that he is entitled to, is that his family physician first prescribed conservative treatment, bed rest, exercise and medication, rather than immediate radical treatment — surgery. There are no facts disputing his incapacitating injury, nor would the majority decision have been the same had the physician prescribed immediate surgery within the 30 day period. However, that physician, thinking of the welfare of his patient and using his best medical judgment, tried to treat his patient without radical surgery. His decision resulted in the majority decision, for the treatment lasted longer than 30 days.
This opinion should not only be published in the legal journals, but also in the medical journals of this state, so that the medical profession in their questioning of a patient can ask those suffering from disabling injuries: “Are you covered by the Combined Insurance Company of America, an Illinois insurance company, which company’s policy includes a 30 day clause, or any other company whose policy includes a 30 day limiting clause?”
While the above question has no medical diagnostic value, it might help the attending physician in his decision on when to operate.
In addition, this appellant company failed to even assist its policyholder for coverage he allegedly brought on partial loss. Section D of the policy reads as follows:
“PARTIAL LOSS OF TIME ACCIDENT INDEMNITY— ANY ACCIDENT
“If Such Injuries shall be sustained by the Insured, and do *118not result in any loss for which indemnity is payable nnder Sections A or B, but shall, within thirty days from the date of the accident causing Such Injuries or immediately following a period of total disability for which benefits are payable under Section C, prevent the Insured from performing one or more important duties of his usual business or occupation, the Company will pay, beginning with the first day of disability, for a period not exceeding one month, a monthly indemnity of .................................................................................... $50.00”.
While the above sum would not keep a family long, if the company had any good faith in its business dealings with its policyholders, it would have at least paid the $50 due and owing.