The O'Brien Bros.
The O'Brien Bros.
Opinion of the Court
Exception has been taken to awards of $5,000 and" $6,000, respectively, for damages caused by the death of two women who lost their lives in the accident out of which this limitation of liability proceeding has grown. The claim in each case was'made by the husband as administrator.
This form of action is established by the provisions of the New York Code of Civil Procedure, giving to tire administrator the entire cause of action, and including therein the damages suffered by the husband, where he survives.
The claimants by exceptions seek to present the rule set forth in Mitchell v. N. Y. Central & H. R. R. Co., 2 Hun (N. Y.) 535, affirmed on the ground of. contributory negligence in 64 N. Y. 655, and in Austin v. Metropolitan Street Railway Co., 108 App. Div. 249, 95 N. Y. Supp. 740, in each of which cases the court held that, in the absence of all proof of earning capacity or pecuniary value, lost through the death of the deceased, a jury was not empowered to award more than nominal damages.
It may be assumed that where there is no proof of any sort, there would be nothing-upon which to base an award. But it is difficult to think of a case which could get to a jury, without some evidence from which the jury could determine whether or not the death was a loss which could be estimated in pecuniary terms.
The present case shows ample evidence to support the finding that the lives of these two wives were of value, and that their loss resulted in actual damage, which has been estimated in pecuniary terms in the amounts stated.
The report of the commissioner will be confirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- THE O'BRIEN BROTHERS. Petition of O'BRIEN BROS., Inc.
- Status
- Published