Supreme Court of Alabama, 1924

Ex Parte United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Co.

Ex Parte United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Co.
Supreme Court of Alabama · Decided April 24, 1924 · Miller, Anderson, Somerville, Thomas
99 So. 912; 211 Ala. 159; 1924 Ala. LEXIS 459 (Southern Reporter)

Ex Parte United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Co.

Opinion of the Court

MILLER, J.

This cause is in this court on petition by the United i-States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Company, a corporation, far writ of certiorari to review the judgment of the circuit court awarding compensation to Ernest Evans, an injured employe of petitioner, in the case of Ernest Evans against petitioner in the circuit court of Jefferson county, Ala.

Ernest Evans, in his declaration to the trial court against the United States Cast Iron Pipe & Foundry Company, which was duly sworn to by him, alleged at the time of his injury he was earning $3.15 per day, *160 and as a proximate consequence of bis injuries be lost, to wit, 90 days’ time, and claimed compensation for it. There was judgment by default against the defendant. The court found and held that Ernest Evans was entitled to compensation beginning on October 16,1920, and running for 12 months from that date at the sum of $10 per week for a period of '12 months, making a total of $520, and that all of said sum was past-due, and rendered judgment in favor of Ernest Evans and against the defendant for $520. This judgment of the court is the error assigned.

In 15 R. C. L. p. 604, § 43, note 6, we find this principle:

“Therefore the rule is firmly established that, irrespective of what may be proved, a court cannot decree to any plaintiff more than he claims in jiis bill or other pleading.”

And in 23 Cyc. p. 764, note 65, is the following :

“A judgment by default for a sum greater than that prayed for in the declaration or complaint, or justified by its allegations, is irregular and erroneous.”

This principle is supported by. Black on Judgments (2d Ed.) vol. 1, p. 200, § 138, note 1, and is given practical application by this court in Lister v. Vowell, 122 Ala. 264. 269, 25 South. 564, last paragraph' of the opinion.

The plaintiff in his petition claimed compensation for the damages for, to wit, 90 days. There was a judgment by default. The court on proof held plaintiff entitled to compensation for 12 months at $10 per week, and rendered judgment in his favor for the sum of $520. This was in excess of the amount claimed in the petition, and it rendered the' judgment erroneous, subject to reversal or remittitur. Lister v. Vowell, 122 Ala. 264, 25 South. 564, and authorities supra; Act Sept. 17, 1915 (Acts 1915, p. 610).

We will not reverse and render judgment in this cause, but will reverse the judgment and remand the cause for another trial on its merits. This is the proper course under the circumstances. There is no evidence, for us to review, so we could fix the correct amount. It appears, from a motion to set aside this judgment on file in this court, verified by affidavit, which is not controverted, that the defendant paid the petitioner, Ernest Evans, full compensation for, to wit, the 90 days claimed by him, and that the cause was to be dismissed; but judgment by default was afterwards inadvertently rendered for the amount stated.

Let the judgment be reversed, and the cause remanded.

Reversed and remanded.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SOMERVILLE and THOMAS, JJ., concur.

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