Anthony v. Slaid

52 Mass. 290

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: September 15, 1846
• Status: Published

Opinion

Shaw, C. J.

The case stated in the plaintiff’s declaration is this: He was a contractor for the support of all the poor of the town of Adams, at a fixed sum per annum, and undertook to support them, in sickness and health, at his own risk: The defendant’s wife committed an assault and battery upon one of the town paupers, by means of which he was hurt, and the plaintiff was put to increased expense for his cure and support.

Robinson & Sayles, for the plaintiff. Byington, for the defendants.

The court of common pleas decided that this action, if the facts alleged in the declaration were proved, could not be maintained; and exceptions were alleged by the plaintiff. We are of opinion that this decision was right. It is not by means of any natural or legal relation between the plaintiff and the party injured, that the plaintiff sustains any loss by the act of the defendant’s wife, but by means of the special contract by which he had undertaken to support the town paupers. The damage is too remote and indirect. If such a principle be admitted, we do not see why the consequence would not follow, as stated in the argument for the defendants, that in a case where an assault is committed, or other injury is done to the person or property of a town pauper, or of an indigent person who becomes a pauper, the town might maintain an action, with a per quod, for damages. That there is no precedent for such an action, where there must have been many occasions for bringing it, if maintainable, is a strong argument.against it. Lamb v. Stone, 11 Pick. 527.

Exceptions overruled.