Court Opinion

ID: 9677282
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 05:48:17.326238+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:16:54.951542
License: Public Domain

CuRRiE, J.
{concurring). It would seem to be axiomatic that the insured (the mother of the plaintiff) is not bound by the determination made in this action, of nonliability of the defendant Insurance Company on the issue of the policy defense of lack of timely notice, because she is not a party to the action.
*39Under the provisions of sec. 260.19, Stats., either the plaintiff or the defendant could have had the insured made a party defendant when the issue of the policy defense was raised in the answer, or the trial court could have done so on its own motion. Such not having been done, if the plaintiff shall hereafter commence an action against the insured to recover for plaintiff’s injuries, the insured thereupon tenders the defense to the Insurance Company, the company either refuses to defend or defends reserving its rights to thereafter assert its policy defense, the plaintiff recovers judgment against the insured, and the insured pays the judgment and thereupon brings suit against the company to recover the amount so paid, the determination herein made of non-liability on the policy would not be res adjudicata on such issue.
In the present instance a future suit by the insured against the defendant Insurance Company is highly unlikely because nonliability has been determined as a matter of law by the court, but if such nonliability has been determined by verdict of a 'jury as an issue of fact, such a future action upon the policy would not be at all improbable.
The substance of this concurring opinion has not been included in the majority opinion because of any disagreement by the other members of the court with the conclusion herein stated, but because the same is unnecessary in deciding the issues presented and therefore it has been thought preferable that the question of whether the determination made of non-liability or the policy being res adjudicata as to the insured should not be passed on by the court until this issue is subsequently squarely presented in a proper case where the determination of same is necessary to the disposition of the action, thus permitting the court to then exercise its independent judgment unfettered by anything which might be said herein on the issue by way of dicta.
*40However, I am fearful, that without the explanation herein set forth, the effect of the opinion of the court in this case is likely to be misinterpreted.
I am authorized to state that Mr. Justice Brown joins me in this concurring opinion.