Marcus v. St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Co.
Marcus v. St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Co.
Opinion of the Court
The appeal brings up a judgment in favor of the plaintiffs.
Mrs. Marcus claimed personal injuries by reason of a fall on premises of the Lay Fish Market at 24 Peck Slip, Mew
It is contended that the agreement of settlement was without consideration and that there was no proof either of the agency of the Salvage Adjustment Corporation or of Gallagher or Kosch to negotiate a settlement for the St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Company, and further that the letters addressed to the plaintiffs’ attorneys were not properly received in evidence.
The defendant called Harry Hyman, the president of the Salvage Adjustment Corporation, who testified that the company adjusted losses for the defendant indemnity company, but that the only persons having authority to approve settlements were the president and vice-president of the Salvage Adjustment Corporation; that although Kosch and Gallagher were both employed by the Salvage Adjustment Corporation, they had no authority to make settlements. It further appeared that the letters received in evidence were written in due course of business by Gallagher and that the letterhead bearing the name of the St. Paul Mercury Indemnity Company was used with the approval of that company. It also appeared that both Kosch and Gallagher had authority to discuss settlements but were instructed to state that their action must be approved before it became final.
Conceding that possibly the letters were improperly received in evidence at the time they were offered, it seems to us that the testimony on behalf of the defendant confirmed the action of the trial judge and established the plaintiffs’ right of recovery. It was a fair inference from all the testimony that Gallagher and Kosch were clothed with apparent authority to settle the matter. Since there was proof to support the findings of the trial judge, those findings cannot be disturbed on appeal.
The judgment will be affirmed, with costs.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- JENNIE MARCUS, WIFE OF HYMAN MARCUS, AND HYMAN MARCUS, INDIVIDUALLY, PLAINTIFFS-RESPONDENTS v. ST. PAUL MERCURY INDEMNITY COMPANY, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, A BODY CORPORATE
- Status
- Published