Court Opinion

ID: 9725319
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 11:40:58.829409+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:14.077466
License: Public Domain

Murphy, Justice
(dissenting).
I cannot agree with that part of the majority opinion which holds that the verdict in the sum of $6,200 for injury to the wife’s person is not sustained by the record. It appears that as a result of the accident the husband became permanently disabled. His brain was badly damaged, requiring an operation which left him with a residual perforation in the area of his right temple where surgical penetration had taken place. He lost the sight of one eye and vision of the other was impaired substantially. He suffers from convulsive spells which occur sometimes 3 days apart and sometimes every 2 weeks. He has dizzy spells, his motor reflexes are impaired, and he has to be watched so that he will not fall down. He is impatient, uncommunicative, and requires constant care. All this has taken its toll in a drain upon the plaintiff’s physical and nervous system.
The verdict for loss of support does not compensate for this damage. She has not only lost the support to which she is entitled, but is required now to expend both from her physical and nervous resources to meet a new responsibility. Moreover, it may be assumed that her husband’s condition will require a further drain upon whatever financial assets she may have. It seems to me that this item of damages comes within the provisions of Minn. St. 340.95, which permits compensation for damages because of injury “in person or property.” For the foregoing reasons, I respectfully dissent.
Mr. Justice Sheran, not having been a member of this court at the time of the argument and submission, took no part in the consideration or decision of this case.