Smith Ex Rel. Kirby v. Hewett

DeviN, C. J. It was chiefly urged for error by the defendants tbat under tbe court’s instruction on tbe issue of damages (tbe fourth issue) tbe jury was permitted to consider as elements of damage in tbe case of Graham Smith, an unemaneipated minor, hospital, medical and nursing-expenses incurred, and also loss of earnings and diminished earning capacity during bis minority. Tbe general rule is tbat an unemancipated minor cannot recover as an element of damage in an action for personal injury for loss of earnings or diminished earning capacity during bis minority, but tbat tbe father is primarily entitled to bis services and earnings as long as tbe minor is legally in bis custody or under bis control. Shipp v. Stage Lines, 192 N.C. 475 (479), 135 S.E. 339; Toler v. Savage, 226 N.C. 208, 37 S.E. 2d 485. Tbe father is under tbe legal duty to support bis child during minority, and be has tbe right of action to recover for loss of earnings and for expenses incurred for medical care in treating an injury to bis child caused by tbe wrongful act of another. He would have right to maintain an action to recover tbe amounts be bad paid thereon, and also for those for which be is legally liable. Williams v. Stores Co., Inc., 209 N.C. 591 (601-2), 184 S.E. 496; White v. Commissioners, 217 N.C. 329, 7 S.E. 2d 825. Conceding these principles of law, tbe plaintiff contends they are not applicable here under tbe facts disclosed by tbe record. Tbe plaintiff Graham Smith at the time of tbe injury was 17 years of age. His parents bad been divorced several years before, but no order was made as to bis custody. His mother testified, “We were both to have him together.” His father lived in Brunswick County and bis mother *618 in Pender, but be lived part of tbe time witb bis grandmother in Brunswick and part of tbe time witb bis mother. After bis injury botb father and mother took him to a hospital in Wilmington, and later to a hospital in Charlotte. Several physicians treated him. All of tbe bills are unpaid except $50 paid by tbe father. Tbe bills were made out in tbe name of W. C. Smith, tbe father. No question was presented as to liens on tbe recovery in favor of those rendering treatment as provided by G.S. 44-49. Under authority of Pascal v. Transit Co., 229 N.C. 435 (441), 50 S.E. 2d 534, tbe mother, who appeared in tbe action and conducted it as next friend, would be estopped to maintain claim for loss of services or for medical expenses incurred. But this rule does not apply to tbe father, who instituted an independent action to recover for loss of services of bis son and for medical expenses incurred in bis treatment for which the father was primarily chargeable. He is not estopped, and, notwithstanding the divorce, is in law liable for medical and hospital expenses incurred in the treatment and care of his minor son. Wells v. Wells, 227 N.C. 614, 44 S.E. 2d 31. Plence, bis asserted right to recover therefor from tbe wrongdoer cannot be ignored. Though the father is now dead, he was entitled to the services of his son for the two years he survived after the injury and to maintain an action to recover as against the tort-feasor. His administrator is entitled to continue tbe action instituted for that purpose. It is apparent that there was error in charging the jury to take into consideration without qualification these elements in determining the amount of damages to be awarded Graham Smith and to add thereto the cost of all necessary medical and hospital expenses incurred, plus loss of earnings and earning capacity. Williams v. Stores Co., Inc., 209 N.C. 591, 184 S.E. 496. On the appeal of Prince O’Brien, administrator of W. C. Smith, from tbe ruling of tbe court in limiting bis recovery to $50, tbe appellees admit error in the court’s instruction, but do not concede that all the bills which were offered were properly admitted in evidence. The court in the exercise of its discretion set aside the verdict on tbe second issue as to tbe liability of S. H. Hewett, as being contrary to instructions, and awarded a new trial on that issue. The plaintiff O’Brien, administrator, appealed from the judgment on tbe fifth issue limiting his recovery to $50, and in that case tbe defendant appellees concede error. On defendants’ appeal in tbe Graham Smith case, as hereinbefore set out, we are of opinion there was error in the court’s instructions to the jury on tbe issue of damages, tbe fourth issue. *619 Under these conditions we think the rights of the parties could be more satisfactorily and properly adjudicated by á general new trial of all the issues raised in the two cases which were consolidated for trial. This disposition of the appeals renders it unnecessary to decide the question debated on the argument as to the effect of the directed verdict on the second issue in the light of the jury’s response thereto. As the case will be heard de novo, we express no opinion as to the correctness of the court’s instructions on the first and third issues. New trial.