Court Opinion

ID: 5497498
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-10 02:54:32.32921+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:33:51.136326
License: Public Domain

Pratt, J.
On January 20, 1887, while the facts were fresh in his mind,, the plaintiff testified that he paid a judgment which his son then held against him by assigning to that son the judgment in this action. That testimony was corroborated by a written document put in evidence, signed by the plaintiff, dated January 25, 1887, in which he stipulates concerning the disposition to be made by the son of the money expected to be realized from the judgment thus assigned. And on January 25, 1887, the son makes a written agreement also concerning the disposition to be made by him of such money. "Upon the present trial, plaintiff and his son were both examined as witnesses, and seem to have lost all memory of these transactions; but there is no denial, that the judgment held by the son against the plaintiff was paid, and the only denial attempted of the assignment by the plaintiff to the son is the statement by the father that he has never “delivered” an assignment of the judgment to his son. That is no denial of the fact that the judgment was legally assigned. Whether the assignment was “delivered” to the son, or to some-third party for his benefit, or whether it rested in paroi only, was irrelevant. The essential fact that the plaintiff had transferred his claim for damages to his son, one of the tort-feasors, for whose benefit it is now prosecuted, was-not denied. That brought the case within the rule laid down upon the former appeal, and the complaint should have been dismissed.
It appears that in June, or July, 1886, the son executed to his attorney an assignment of the judgment he held against his father, which he afterwardsassumed with his father to discharge. Such assignment to the attorney does-not affect the question here. The evidence shows that it was made for reasons of convenience, to be used for the benefit of the son. It could not prevail against the settlement of the judgment made by the beneficial owner.
It was urged upon us that the verdict was excessive. It was clearly so;, but, as the questions above discussed go to the whole recovery, an extended, discussion of that point is not required. Judgment reversed.