WOMAN’S LOST LEG

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18036, 13 March 1933, Page 9

WOMAN’S LOST LEG

feliAtM FOR INSURANCE

CASE Utoife APPEAL .COURT

(Per Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, this day,

The Court of’Appeal to-day is hearing the case of the Australasian Temperance arid General Mutual Assurance Company arid the Coiriiiiercial Union Assurance Company against Elizabeth Joy Johnson and John Randolph Johnson. The insurance companies are appealing against the decision of Mr. Justice Reed, delivered in Wellington last August, in which fie gave judgment in favor of Mrs. Johnson for £245 10s against the Commercial Union Company, and for £SOO against tlie T. arid G. Company. Both actions were claims by Mrs. Johnson for insurance moneys in respect of a motor accident rit Ohari railway crossing on May 6, 1930, as a result of which she suffered the amputation of her left leg below the knee. In the case of action against the Commercial Union the claim was made under a comprehensive motor car policy whereby she was insured, inter alia, for £250, arid £lO medical expenses for loss of the leg. The claim against the T. arid G. Company was based on the provisions of an ordinary accident policy entitling the insured to the sum of £SOO for the same injury. In each ease the insurance companies acknowledged liability and paid the insurance moneys to the husband of the plaintiff and obtained receipts purporting to be signed by her. Mrs. Johnson, however, alleged that these receipts were forgeries, and the court accepted this view. The trial judge held that Mrs. Johnson had not signed the receipts, and had not received the moneys to which she was entitled under the provisions of the policies. An appeal is now brought against this decision, - ... ~