{ "id": 1425616, "name": "Martin v. Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York", "name_abbreviation": "Martin v. Mutual Life Insurance", "decision_date": "1934-05-21", "docket_number": "4-3463", "first_page": "291", "last_page": "295", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "189 Ark. 291" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "232 N. W. 848", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "212 Wis. 470", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Wis.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "32 F. (2d) 7", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1756231 ], "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/32/0007-01" ] }, { "cite": "53 S. W. (2d) 10", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "186 Ark. 198", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8719793 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/186/0198-01" ] }, { "cite": "49 S. W. (2d) 364", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "185 Ark. 660", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1435072 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/185/0660-01" ] }, { "cite": "217 S. W. 462", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "463" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "140 Ark. 612", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1594393 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/140/0612-01" ] }, { "cite": "299 S. W. 995", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "175 Ark. 565", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1403643 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/175/0565-01" ] }, { "cite": "233 N. Y. S. 500", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.S.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "69 S. W. (2d) 1081", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "188 Ark. 907", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1428215 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/188/0907-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 525, "char_count": 8236, "ocr_confidence": 0.515, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.0765095725254178e-07, "percentile": 0.7584662271815847 }, "sha256": "f0f1bef380b4da8bacef6e5ef31b1096a87319eef6e86dd730adc266958449e1", "simhash": "1:b6e23f6d52219de6", "word_count": 1394 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:25:52.773578+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Martin v. Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Johnson, C. J.\nThis appeal involves the construction of the following exemption contained in the double indemnity clause of a life insurance policy issued by appellee as insurer upon the life of George W. Martin, deceased, in which Susie J. Martin, appellant, was designated as beneficiary, to-wit:\n\u201cThe double indemnity will be payable upon receipt of due proof that the insured died as a direct result of bodily injury effected solely through external, violent and accidental means, independently and exclusively of all other causes, and of which, except in the case of drowning or asphyxiation, there is evidence by a visible contusion or wound on the exterior of the body, and that such death occurred within ninety days after the date of such injury; provided that the double indemnity shall not be payable if death resulted from self-destruction, whether sane or insane, or from military or naval service in time of war, or from any act incident to war, or from engaging in riot or insurrection, or from committing an assault or felony, or from participation in aeronautics, or directly or indirectly from disease or bodily or mental infirmity. \u2019 \u2019\nThe insured was instantly killed when the airplane, in which he was an invited guest, crashed and struck the ground while navigating the air between Augusta, Arkansas, and St. Louis, Missouri.\nThe facts and circumstances of the crash and the death of the insured are identical with those narrated in Missouri State Life Insurance Company v. Martin, 188 Ark. 907, 69 S. W. (2d) 1081, and reference is here made thereto.\nThe exemption here employed by the insurer \u201cor from participating in aeronautics\u201d differs only from the exemption contained in Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Martin, supra, as\u2019 follows: \u201cOr for participation in aviation or submarine operations\u201d by the elimination of the word \u201coperations.\u201d\nIt is true that the opinion in Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Martin, supra, was put upon the ground that the use of the word \u201coperations\u201d limited the meaning and effect of the word \u201cparticipation\u201d which preceded it, and, when thus construed, conveyed the definite meaning and effect of not exempting the insurer from liability as against an invited guest riding in an airplane. The opinion as thus construed ^s not in conflict with any other case which has been called to our attention in briefs. When the word \u201coperations\u201d is eliminated, however, a very different case, is presented and must be decided as of first impression by us. In Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Martin, supra, although stated as dictum, we said as a concurring basis of the opinion and the conclusion thereafter determined that: \u201cThe distinction thought by the courts to exist between \u2018engage in aeronautics\u2019 and \u2018participation in aviation\u2019 may be apparent to, and approved by, those learned in the niceties of the language and accustomed to its precise use, but it is to be doubted whether these hair-splitting and subtle distinctions would occur to, or be understood by, the majority of the thousands of persons who seek insurance against the many hazards to life and limb which are likely to occur to the most prudent and fortunate. Words and phrases used in insurance policies should be construed by their meaning as used in the ordinary speech of the people, and not as understood by scholars.\n\u201cIt might well be imagined that if the average tradesman, artisan, or farmer, although he had many times taken passage on a railroad train and intended again soon to do so, if asked if he had participated, or intended to participate, in railroading, would at once answer, 'No\u2019; and if then asked if he had engaged in, or intended to engage in railroading, would reply, \u2018I have just told you, No.\u2019 It might well be assumed that to his mind the word \u2018participate\u2019 in the connection used in the question would imply some action, some \u2018taking part in\u2019 the movement of the trains, the upkeep of the property, or management of its 1)118111088. He likely would not think that by the question was meant to learn if he had, or intended merely \u2018to have, enjoy, or share in common with others\u2019 the privilege of being transported as a passenger on the lines of railway companies.\n\u201cIt is interesting, however, to note that, in these cases and others which discover a distinction between \u2018engaged in\u2019 and \u2018participate in,\u2019 the courts, when they abandon the role of the \u2018precisian\u2019 and discuss the case in the language of the ordinary (person, sometimes use the words \u2018engaged\u2019 and \u2018participate\u2019 or \u2018participation\u2019 as conveying a similar idea. In the case of Peters v. Prudential Ins. Co., supra, [233 N. Y. S. 500] in discussing the word \u2018engaged,\u2019 the court said: \u2018It gives the impression of participation as an occupation.\u2019 In Benefit Ass\u2019n v. Hayden, supra, [175 Ark. 565, 299 S. W. 995] the court found for the beneficiary, saying: \u2018 * * * The proper construction of those words (engaged in) is that actual employment or participation was contemplated, and not \u2018merely riding as a passenger. \u2019 This case followed the case of Benham v. Insurance Co., 140 Ark. 612, 217 S. W. 462, 463, where the court defined the word \u2018engaged\u2019 as denoting action, thus: \u2018It means to take part in.\u2019 This is precisely one of the meanings of the word \u2018participate\u2019 which is apparent from the etymology of the word; \u2018participate,\u2019 a word coming from the Latin words \u2018pars,\u2019 a part, and \u2018capio,\u2019 to take, therefore meaning to take part in. 6 Words and Phrases, First Series, 5185.\n\u201cAs defined by the leading lexicographers, \u2018aviation\u2019 is a more exact and specific term than \u2018 aeronautics, \u2019 and means \u2018the art or science of locomotion by means of aeroplanes.\u2019 Webster. It might appear that, if aviation is the science of locomotion by aeroplane and the word \u2018participate\u2019 means \u2018to take part in,\u2019 the phrase \u2018participate in aviation\u2019 would connote an active share in its management; as, where a person would actually pilot a plane himself, or, as in the case of First National Bank v. Phoenix, supra, where he owned the plane and had authority to, and did, direct the pilot as to when he should make the flight. It would seem that this interpretation of the phrase \u2018participate in aviation\u2019 is not wholly unjustified. \u2019 \u2019\nAfter the most careful consideration of all the cases cited, we now conclude that the reasoning employed by ns in Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Martin, supra, although dictum, when pronounced, is sound and logical and is aptly applicable to the language employed in the exemption clause in the instant case.\nWe grant that our conclusion thus announced seems to be in conflict with respectable authority on this question, but such must be the inevitable result so long as courts think and act independently of each other. The insurer had full power and opportunity to exempt itself from liability5' beyond any question, cavil, or doubt had it elected so to do. It must have known that the average purchaser of life insurance would not expect exemption from liability merely because he took passage as an invited guest upon one isolated trip by airplane. As stated by us in Missouri State Life Ins. Co. v. Martin, supra, \u201cparticipate\u201d does not connote to the average person the meaning that his mere presence is sufficient to participate or engage in such art or occupation. On the contrary, he would be warranted in concluding that the word \u201cparticipate\u201d has the meaning and effect of \u201cengage in\u201d and other words of similar import and meaning.\nIn this view of the situation here presented, the contract of insurance was ambiguous and susceptible to more than one reasonable -construction, and the one most favorable to the insured should be adopted. Travelers\u2019 Protective Ass\u2019n v. Stephens, 185 Ark. 660, 49 S. W. (2d) 364; National Life Ins. Co. v. Whitfield, 186 Ark. 198, 53 S. W. (2d) 10; Gits v. N. Y. Life Ins. Co., (C. C. A.) 32 F. (2d) 7; Charette v. Prudential Ins. Co., (Nov. 11, 1930) 212 Wis. 470, 232 N. W. 848.\nFor the error indicated, the cause is reversed and remanded.", "type": "majority", "author": "Johnson, C. J." } ], "attorneys": [ "J. Ford Smith and W. J. Dungan, for appellant.", "Frederick L. Allen and Rose, Hemingway, Cantrell <& Loughborough, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Martin v. Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York.\n4-3463\nOpinion delivered May 21, 1934.\nJ. Ford Smith and W. J. Dungan, for appellant.\nFrederick L. Allen and Rose, Hemingway, Cantrell <& Loughborough, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0291-01", "first_page_order": 309, "last_page_order": 313 }