Court Opinion

ID: 9651555
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 16:26:20.589244+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:12:35.686920
License: Public Domain

HANEY, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
I dissent.
The law of Montana governs the instant case. Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins, 58 S.Ct. 817, 82 L.Ed. —, 114 A.L.R. 1487, April 25, 1938; Ruhlin v. New York Life Insurance Co., 58 S.Ct. 860, 82 L.Ed. -, May 2, 1938; Rosenthal v. New York Life Insurance Co., 58 S.Ct. 874, 82 L.Ed. -, May 16, 1938; New York Life Insurance Co. v. Jackson, 58 S.Ct. 871, 82 L.Ed. -, May 16, 1938; Hudson v. Moonier, 58 S.Ct. 954, 82 L.Ed. — , May 23, 1938. There is no decision in Montana on the precise point in issue here. The majority, therefore, have exercised their independent judgment in deciding the question. I think we may not do so here.
Paragraph PI of the policy makes provision for appellee’s right. That paragraph may be construed in either of two ways: (1) that appellee’s rights are determined solely by such paragraph; or (2) that ap-pellee’s rights are derived from and dependent on those of the insured. See 2 Williston on Contracts (Rev.Ed.) 1060, 1061, §§ 364, 364A. Of these two constructions, the first is against appellant. The rule in Montana is that such a provision is to be construed most strongly against appellant. Rev.Codes Mont.1935, § 7545; Lyon v. Dailey Copper M. & S. Co., 46 Mont. 108, 121, 126 P. 931; Montana Auto Finance Corporation v. British & Federal Fire Underwriters, 72 Mont. 69, 75, 232 P 198, 36 A.L.R. 1495. I therefore think that the Montana courts will apply the first construction mentioned, and that it should coni rol here.
I add that as an independent question I agree that appellee’s rights are dependent upon those of the insured, but disagree with the holding that, as a matter of law, notice was not given within a reasonable time.