Court Opinion

ID: 9540531
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:17:11.830414+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:57.438230
License: Public Domain

Mr. JUSTICE WEBBER, dissenting: I cannot agree with either the conclusion reached by the majority nor the reasons assigned. The key phrase in the majority opinion, in my judgment, is “[A] court is required to resort to the vague outlines of public policy in order to do justice between the litigants before it.” In an effort to justify holding for the plaintiff, with whom we all sympathize, the majority sets the stage for havoc in the insurance business. Public policy can, and should, be declared by the legislature after sufficient fact-finding has been accomplished through its power of investigation. Neither this court, nor any court, can be certain as to the extent of the problem presented here. We cannot know how many outstanding policies may be affected by this ruling, which, for practical purposes, invalidates all 90-day clauses. We cannot know how many cases similar in nature to the one presented here occur in the course of business; it may be many, it may be few. These, and the myriad of other questions which may arise out of this decision, can be resolved only after legislative investigation. I have no opinion at the time of this writing as to whether the 90-day clause is antiquated and should be eliminated or whether it is still viable. I say only that it is a legislative and not a judicial matter. Our entire structure of law is built built upon a healthy respect for deadlines and limitations. The majority opinion recognizes them but suggests that they may be altered to suit particular litigants. If this be so, may a plaintiff file his personal injury suit two years and two days after the accident just because he has an appealing case? May one acquire title by adverse possession after 19 years, 11 months and 28 days just because he is a nice fellow? Without a set of limitations, all law becomes ad hominem. Courts have acquired a less than brilliant reputation either for creating legislation or for repealing prior judicial legislation. As to the former, witness the confusion still existing in the field of strict liability in tort; as to the latter, witness the ill-fated effort to eliminate contributory negligence and substitute comparative negligence. Courts are well equipped to settle disputes between specific and definite adverse parties who are physically before the court. Problem-solving for society at large is beyond the institutional capacity of our tribunals. I would affirm the decision of the trial court.