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Full-Text Articles in Law

Evidence-Presumptions-Plaintiff's Res Ipsa Loquitur Against Defendants Presumption Of Due Care, Bernard A. Petrie S.Ed. Dec 1952

Evidence-Presumptions-Plaintiff's Res Ipsa Loquitur Against Defendants Presumption Of Due Care, Bernard A. Petrie S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff sued for injuries resulting when an automobile which defendant was driving and in which plaintiff was sleeping left the highway. There was evidence that defendant suffered retrograde amnesia and could not recall the circumstances of the accident. The court, instructing on res ipsa loquitur for plaintiff, told the jury that it might infer negligence from the fact that the automobile inexplicably left the highway. The court also instructed that, if the jury believed that defendant suffered a loss of memory, defendant was presumed to have exercised due care. Verdict for defendant. Plaintiff contended that instruction on the presumption of …


Constitutional Law-Equal Protection-Damage Action For Breach Of Racial Restrictive Covenant, Richard W. Pogue S.Ed. Dec 1952

Constitutional Law-Equal Protection-Damage Action For Breach Of Racial Restrictive Covenant, Richard W. Pogue S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiffs sued at law to recover damages for breach of a racial restrictive covenant, alleging that defendants violated the covenant by conveying restricted property to persons of the Negro race and placing them in possession and occupancy. The circuit court granted defendants' motion to dismiss. On appeal, held, affirmed. The Fourteenth Amendment prevents the maintenance of an action for breach of racial restrictive covenants. Phillips v. Naff, (Mich. 1952) 52 N.W. (2d) 158.


Negligence-Immunity Of Charitable Institutions From Suit, W. Garrett Flickinger S.Ed. Dec 1952

Negligence-Immunity Of Charitable Institutions From Suit, W. Garrett Flickinger S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

A patient of defendant charitable hospital died as a result of the transfusion of an incorrect blood type and it was shown that one of defendant's employees had correctly typed the blood but negligently mislabeled it. The widower and children of the deceased brought an action in negligence for damages and the circuit court allowed recovery. On appeal, held, affirmed. The defendant hospital is liable in damages for the death of the deceased caused by the negligence of its employee notwithstanding the fact that defendant is a charitable institution and that the hospital authorities exercised due care and caution …


Negligence-Right To Recover For Pre-Natal Injurie, James S. Taylor S.Ed. Dec 1952

Negligence-Right To Recover For Pre-Natal Injurie, James S. Taylor S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

The plaintiff-infant by his guardian ad litem brought an action against the defendant alleging that while he was en ventre sa mere during the ninth month of his mother's pregnancy, he sustained, through the defendant's negligence, such serious injuries that he was born permanently maimed and disabled. The trial court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a cause of action. The appellate division affirmed. On appeal, held, reversed, two judges dissenting. A complaint alleging pre-natal injuries tortiously inflicted on a nine month foetus viable at the time and actually born later states a good cause of action. Woods …


Negligence-Res Ipsa Loquitur-Justification For A Directed Verdict In Favor Of The Plaintiff, William A. Bain, Jr. S. Ed. Nov 1952

Negligence-Res Ipsa Loquitur-Justification For A Directed Verdict In Favor Of The Plaintiff, William A. Bain, Jr. S. Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant was driving his car along a straight and unobstructed stretch of gravel road when it ran off the road, overturned, and injured the plaintiff, who was a passenger. There was some conflict in the evidence as to the speed of the car and the only evidence that the defendant could offer as to the cause of the accident was a statement that it could have been the gravel or a tie rod. The trial court directed a verdict for the plaintiff. On appeal, held, affirmed. The car left a straight and unobstructed highway and there is no showing …


Admiralty-Recovery For Negligent Invasion Of Contractural Interest In Use Of Ship, Duncan Noble S. Ed. Nov 1952

Admiralty-Recovery For Negligent Invasion Of Contractural Interest In Use Of Ship, Duncan Noble S. Ed.

Michigan Law Review

A fishing vessel just beginning a voyage was negligently struck by another ship and laid up for a period of time for repairs. The crew were to have been compensated on the so-called "lay plan," 32% of the gross catch going to the jointly-owned vessel and gear, and 68% being split equally among the crew of ten, which included one of the joint owners. On a libel filed originally by seven of the crew members, but later joined by both owners and the remaining two of the crew, the trial court allowed recovery of the cost of repairs to the …


Torts-Assault And Battery-Use Of Traps To Protect Property From Felonious Taking, Charles E. Oldfather S. Ed. Nov 1952

Torts-Assault And Battery-Use Of Traps To Protect Property From Felonious Taking, Charles E. Oldfather S. Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff brought an action for personal injuries. Defendant planted two sticks of dynamite in the floor beneath the door of his mining warehouse in order to prevent repeated thefts of personal property from the building. The dynamite was rigged to explode when the door was opened. Plaintiff, with the intent of stealing whatever he could, broke the lock, opened the door, and from the ensuing explosion received leg and foot injuries. Plaintiff's act was a statutory felony. Defendant testified that he in good faith thought that the amount of dynamite used would merely frighten the plaintiff. Trial court held the …


Torts-Statutes-Unsatisified Judgment And Hit-And-Run Provisions As Supplementing Financial Responsibility Acts, Herbert L. Meschke Jun 1952

Torts-Statutes-Unsatisified Judgment And Hit-And-Run Provisions As Supplementing Financial Responsibility Acts, Herbert L. Meschke

Michigan Law Review

In 1947, North Dakota enacted legislation providing that one who recovers a judgment in an action for damages for personal injuries or death resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle and who cannot execute the judgment because of the defendants' inability to pay and lack of property, may receive payment from the state unsatisfied judgment fund upon application to the court and assignment of the judgment to the state. The fund was created, and is to be maintained, by a special assessment on motor vehicle owners. 1951 North Dakota legislation provides that any person who has a cause of …


Torts-False Imprisonment-Public Nuisance-Liability For Double Parking, James I. Huston S.Ed. May 1952

Torts-False Imprisonment-Public Nuisance-Liability For Double Parking, James I. Huston S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Defendant had unlawfully double parked his car, thereby blocking plaintiffs' car which was parked at the curb. Plaintiffs sued for $25, alleging only discomfort and inconvenience as their damage. Defendant moved for judgment on the pleading. Held, the complaint states a good cause of action on a public nuisance theory. Harnik v. Levine, Municipal Court of City of New York, 106 N.Y.S. (2d) 460 (1951).


Federal Procedure-Jurisdiction-Removal Under Section 1441(C) Of Title 28 By Nonresident Defendant Where Joint Torts Cause A Single Injury, Wilber M. Brucker, Jr. S.Ed. Apr 1952

Federal Procedure-Jurisdiction-Removal Under Section 1441(C) Of Title 28 By Nonresident Defendant Where Joint Torts Cause A Single Injury, Wilber M. Brucker, Jr. S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a citizen of Utah, brought a joint action for damages in a state court of Utah against Powell, also a citizen of Utah, and the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad Company, a Delaware corporation. Plaintiff alleged both an assault and battery by Powell in the depot of the railroad company, and negligence of the railroad company in failing to take action to prevent or arrest this assault. The railroad company had the entire action removed to the federal district court under section 1441(c) of the Judicial Code. Upon motion of the railroad company, the claim against it was …


Torts--Inducing Breach Of Contract--Attorney-Client Contingent Fee Contract, Richard W. Pogue Mar 1952

Torts--Inducing Breach Of Contract--Attorney-Client Contingent Fee Contract, Richard W. Pogue

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a practicing attorney, undertook on a contingent fee basis to represent a husband and wife in separate claims for damages alleged to have been suffered by them through the negligence of the driver of a motor vehicle. The driver was insured under a policy issued by defendant. Defendant had notice of the contract. After plaintiff had started suit on the damage claim and as the case was about to be tried, defendant's adjusters, without knowledge on the plaintiff's part, allegedly induced the clients to discharge the plaintiff (and "thereby break their contingent fee contract with him") and subsequently to …


Civil Procedure-Jurisdiction-Commission Of Isolated Tort By Foreign Corporation As "Doing Business" Within The State, W. H. Bates S.Ed. Mar 1952

Civil Procedure-Jurisdiction-Commission Of Isolated Tort By Foreign Corporation As "Doing Business" Within The State, W. H. Bates S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a Vermont resident, brought action for damages in the Vermont court, alleging negligence of defendant in re-roofing plaintiff's house located in that state. Defendant, a Massachusetts corporation, had not qualified to do business in Vermont, nor had it appointed an agent to receive service therein. There was no evidence to indicate that defendant was actively engaged in business there. Substituted service was made upon defendant through the Secretary of State of Vermont as authorized by a statute. The statute stipulated that the term "doing business" included those instances in which a foreign corporation made a contract in Vermont with …


Negligence-Duty Of Care-Duty Of Possessor Of Land Conducting Activities Thereon To Keep A Lookout For Licensees, Duncan Noble Feb 1952

Negligence-Duty Of Care-Duty Of Possessor Of Land Conducting Activities Thereon To Keep A Lookout For Licensees, Duncan Noble

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, seeking employment, came onto the site of a road construction project under defendant's control as general contractor and posted by him with notices of construction and against trespassing. Plaintiff was struck by a materials truck backing, without lookout or warning, over the completed half of the road. On these facts the jury found that the truck was negligently operated and plaintiff prevailed. On appeal, held, affirmed. A contractor owes a duty of ordinary care to licensees in a case of "active," as distinguished from "passive" negligence. Evidence as to the mode of operating the truck and "likelihood" of …


Negligence-Duty Of Care-Pedestrian Crossing Between Cars Of A Train, Joseph M. Kortenhof Feb 1952

Negligence-Duty Of Care-Pedestrian Crossing Between Cars Of A Train, Joseph M. Kortenhof

Michigan Law Review

While attempting passage between cars of a train which was obstructing a public crossing in violation of a statutory time limit, plaintiff was severely injured when the train was set into motion without warning. Plaintiff testified that he did not see the engine of the train since it was at the end of a long string of cars. The trial court excluded plaintiff's evidence that for thirty years it has been the custom of the town's inhabitants to cross between the cars of a train which was blocking a public crossing. Upon completion of plaintiff's case, the trial court sustained …


Corporations-Officers And Directors--"Corporate Opportunities" Doctrine, Thomas P. Segerson S.Ed. Jan 1952

Corporations-Officers And Directors--"Corporate Opportunities" Doctrine, Thomas P. Segerson S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff corporation brought a bill in equity for an accounting of profits arising from an alleged breach of fiduciary duty by defendant, a former officer and director. The alleged breach consisted of defendant's action in procuring a contract for the manufacture of a saw sharpening machine for the X corporation, wholly owned by him, without disclosing such facts to his associate directors of plaintiff corporation. Plaintiff corporation was engaged in the manufacture of polishing machines, while the X corporation manufactured lawn mowers. At the time of the contract, defendant "knew that ... [plaintiff corporation] desired to enlarge its field of …


Torts-Alienation Of Parent's Affection, John J. Edman S.Ed. Jan 1952

Torts-Alienation Of Parent's Affection, John J. Edman S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff, a minor child, brought a tort action against defendant for enticing her mother to desert her, thereby depriving plaintiff of support, maintenance, and maternal care and affection. The trial court sustained defendant's demurrer. On appeal, held, affirmed. The statutes of the state provide other means of support of the child, and he has no right of action for the deprivation of a parent's love and affection. Nelson v. Richwagen, (Mass. 1950) 95 N.E. (2d) 545.


Municipal Corporations-Tort Liability Of Municipality For Injury Caused By Neglect To Perform Mandatory Duty, J. S, Ransmeier S.Ed. Jan 1952

Municipal Corporations-Tort Liability Of Municipality For Injury Caused By Neglect To Perform Mandatory Duty, J. S, Ransmeier S.Ed.

Michigan Law Review

By statute the State of New Jersey imposed upon every New Jersey municipality the obligation to insure the drivers of municipal motor vehicles against liability for damages resulting from the operation of such vehicles. The Township of Lyndhurst neglected to procure insurance in favor of plaintiff, and a personal judgment was recovered against him for his negligent operation of a township fire truck while in pursuance of his municipal duties. Plaintiff brought the present action to recover from the municipality for its breach of the statutory obligation. Judgment below was for defendant. On appeal, held, affirmed, three justices dissenting. …


Negligence-Foreseeability As A Limitation On Liability, Frank Bowen Jr. Jan 1952

Negligence-Foreseeability As A Limitation On Liability, Frank Bowen Jr.

Michigan Law Review

Plaintiff's truck broke down on the road. Another truck driver, attempting to pass plaintiff's truck, became mired beside it, and the two trucks blocked the road. While plaintiff lay under his truck attempting repairs, a bulldozer operated by the defendant approached the two trucks from the rear." The driver of the second truck signaled the defendant to push his, the mired truck, but the defendant, mistaking the signal, pushed plaintiff's truck, causing it to run over plaintiff's legs. The defendant had not seen the plaintiff beneath the truck. The issue of defendant's negligence was submitted to the jury, and verdict …


Torts-Defamation-Libel By Silence, J. G. Castel Jan 1952

Torts-Defamation-Libel By Silence, J. G. Castel

Michigan Law Review

In an almanac published in 1939, Professor Turpain of the University of Poitiers, France, purported to name the inventors of radio. He failed to include the name of E. Branly. In 1940 Branly brought suit in the lower civil court of Poiters against Professor Turpain, alleging that he had been ''libelled" by silence. The court agreed with him. The court of appeals of Poitiers reversed the decision of the lower court and dismissed the case. Following Branly's death, his heirs questioned the validity of the decision of the court of appeals in the court of Cassation. The court held, …