Scarlett v. . Norwood

20 S.E. 459, 115 N.C. 284

• Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
• Decided: September 5, 1894
• Status: Published

Opinions

This was an action brought by the father, alleging seduction of his infant daughter, loss of her services, expenses of her illness, her death, injury in his affections, etc. It is the common-law action of seduction, and we know of no statute depriving the father of his remedy in such cases. If an action on facts can be maintained for wrongful act causing death, under the provisions of The Code, sec. 1498, it could be brought only by the personal representative, as is rightly contended by defendant's counsel. But the plaintiff is entitled to any relief to which the facts stated in his complaint (if proven) entitle him. Patrick v.R. R., 93 N.C. 422; McNeill v. Hodges, 105 N.C. 52; Clark's Code (2 Ed.), pp. 150, 151. Here the allegation of death caused by wrongful act of defendant is only a circumstance in aggravation of damages in the action for seduction. Hood v. Sudderth, 111 N.C. 215, relied on by defendant, has no application. That case held that when the woman seduced is of age, there being no loss of services to the father, the only cause of action in such case is the tort, the fraud and deceit causing injury to her person and good name. It held that the woman herself can in such case maintain the action, being the party injured. But here, the girl being a minor, the father was entitled to her services; it was incumbent upon him to pay the expenses attendant upon her illness, and the jury, upon common law and immemorial (286) precedent, might add punitory damages for the wrong done him in his affections and the destruction of his household. He is the party in interest, and can maintain the action under The Code, section 177, and, it has been ruled, could have the defendant held in arrest and bail. Hoover v.Palmer, 80 N.C. 315.

Whether, when an action for seduction of a minor is brought by the parent, another action can be brought by the girl herself for the injury to her person, suing by next friend, as in Smith v. Richards, 29 Conn. 232, or after her arrival of age, is an interesting question not before us. It is settled that this can be done when an infant has been injured by the negligence of another. Bottoms v. R. R., 114 N.C. 699, 708. It is such action, if it can be brought by the minor, as would die with her person, under The Code, sec. 1491 (2); Hannah v. R. R., 87 N.C. 351. That section does not apply to this action brought by the father, which is not for the injury to the person and good name of the daughter, but for loss of services, expenses incurred by him and injury in his affections. Hence, it does not abate at her death. Wilton v. Webster, 32 E. C. L., 491; Ingram v.Miller, 47 Barb. (N. Y.), 47. In overruling the demurrer there was

Error.