{
  "id": 11271937,
  "name": "ALICE BROADNAX v. ALICE BROADNAX, Administrator, et al.",
  "name_abbreviation": "Broadnax v. Broadnax",
  "decision_date": "1912-11-07",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "432",
  "last_page": "435",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "160 N.C. 432"
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  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "N.C.",
    "id": 9292,
    "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 5,
    "name_long": "North Carolina",
    "name": "N.C."
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      "cite": "146 N. C., 244",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
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      "cite": "138 N. C., 463",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "opinion_index": 0
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    {
      "cite": "133 N. C., 566",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
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        8658667
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    {
      "cite": "91 N. C., 310",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "opinion_index": 0
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    {
      "cite": "95 N. C., 506",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "138 N. C., 371",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "128 N. C., 261",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        8659664
      ],
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        "/nc/128/0261-01"
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:32:58.976002+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "ALICE BROADNAX v. ALICE BROADNAX, Administrator, et al."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Allen, J.\nAt common law, there was no right of action to recover damages for wrongful death, and the right of action conferred by statute is one that did not exist before. Killian v. R. R., 128 N. C., 261; Bolick v. R. R., 138 N. C., 371.\nThe right of the widow to a year\u2019s support is also purely statutory. Williams v. Jones, 95 N. C., 506.\nIt follows, therefore, that the determination of this controversy depends upon a construction of the two statutes.\nThe first was enacted in 1854 (Laws 1854-5, ch. 39), and was reenacted in the Eevised Code, ch. 1, secs. 8, 9, 10, and 11; in tbe'Laws of 1868-9, cb. 113, secs. 70, 71, and 72; in Tbe Code of 1883, secs. 1498, 1499, and 1500, and in tbe Revisal of 1905, secs. 59 and 60.\nIn tbe original act and in tbe Revised Code, it was provided tbat any recovery of damages should be disposed of according to tbe statute for tbe distribution of personal property in case of intestacy, and in tbe Acts of 1868-9, in Tbe Code of 1883 and in tbe Revisal of 1905, tbe statute became a part of tbe chapter for tbe settlement of tbe estates of deceased persons,\u2019 it being provided in tbe first (Laws \u201968-9) tbat, \u201cTbe amount recovered in such action is not liable to be applied as assets, in tbe payment of debts or legacies, but shall be disposed of as-provided in this act for tbe distribution of personal property in case of intestacy,\u201d and in tbe others (Code 1883 and Revisal 1905): \u201cTbe amount recovered in such action is not liable to be applied as assets, in tbe payment of debts or legacies, but shall be disposed of as provid\u00e9d in this chapter for tbe distribution of personal property in case of intestacy.\u201d\nNote tbat tbe language since Tbe Code of 1883 is tbat the amount recovered shall be disposed of as provided \u201cin this chapter\u201d for tbe distribution of personal property in case of intestacy, and when we turn to tbe chapter we find tbe Statute of Distribution a part of it, but no provision therein for tbe widow\u2019s year\u2019s support.\nIt would seem, therefore, tbat tbe language of tbe statute conferring tbe right of action in tbe event of death is directly opposed to tbe contention of tbe widow, and if we examine tbe provisions relating to a year\u2019s allowance, this conclusion is supported and strengthened.\nRevisal, 3095: \u201cSuch allowance shall be assigned from tbe crop, stock, and provisions of tbe deceased in bis possession at tbe time of bis death, if there be a sufficiency thereof in value; and if there be a deficiency, it shall be made up by tbe personal representative from tbe personal estate of tbe deceased.\u201d\nTbe allowance can only be set apart from tbe personal estate of tbe deceased, and tbe right of action for wrongful death, being-conferred by statute at death, never belonged to tbe deceased, and tbe recovery is not assets in the usual acceptation of the term. Baker v. R. R., 91 N. C., 310; Hartness v. Pharr, 133 N. C., 566; Vance v. R. R., 138 N. C., 463.\nIn the Baker case the Court says: \u201cThe administrator thus occupies the place of trustee, for a special purpose, of such fund as he may obtain by the suit, holding it when recovered solely for the use of those who are entitled under the statute of distributions, free from the claims of creditors and legatees, and subject only to such charges and expenses, inclusive of counsel fees and his own commissions, as may have been reasonably incurred in prosecuting and securing the claim. Diminished by these deductions, the remaining duty is to pay over to the distribu-tees\u201d; and in the Hartness case: \u201cIt must be borne in mind that, whatever the varying forms of the statutes may be, the cause of action given by them, and also by the original English statute, was in no sense one which belonged to the deceased person, or in which he ever had any interest, and the beneficiaries under the law do not claim by, through, or under him; and this is so although the personal representative may be designated as the person to bring the action. The latter does not derive any right, title, or authority from his intestate, but sustains more the relation of a trustee in respect to the fund he may recover for the benefit of those entitled eventually to receive it, and he will hold it when recovered actually in that capacity, though in \u2022his name as executor or administrator, and though in his capacity as personal representative he may perhaps be liable on his bond for its proper administration.\u201d\nIt is true, the recovery is spoken of as a part of the estate of the deceased, in Neill v. Wilson, 146 N. C., 244, but only for the purpose of distribution.\nThere is\nNo error.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Allen, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "John M. Robinson for plaintiff.",
      "W. Reade Johnson for administratrix.",
      "Louis M. Swinlc for defendants."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "ALICE BROADNAX v. ALICE BROADNAX, Administrator, et al.\n(Filed 7 November, 1912.)\n1. Negligence \u2014 Wrongful Death \u2014 Common Law \u2014 Interpretation of Statutes.\nThe right of recovery for the wrongful death of another did not exist at common law, and rests entirely on statute.\n2. Widow\u2019s Year\u2019s Support \u2014 Common Law \u2014 Interpretation of Statutes.\nThe widow\u2019s right to a year\u2019s support from the effects of her deceased husband is purely statutory. ,\n3. Negligence \u2014 Wrongful Death \u2014 Widow\u2019s Year\u2019s Support \u2014 Interpretation of Statutes.\nUnder our statute (Revisal, sec. 3095) the widow\u2019s year\u2019s support is assignable from the personal effects of her deceased husband \u201cin possession at the time of his death\u201d in a certain prescribed manner, and the right of recovery for his wrongful death, being conferred by statute after his death, the damages have never belonged to the deceased, and the widow is not entitled to have her year\u2019s support assigned to her therefrom.\n4. Same.\nThe amount of damages recovered for a wrongful death, by express provision of our statute, not being \u201cliable to be applied as assets, in the payment of debts and legacies,\u201d but to \u201cbe disposed of as provided in this act for the distribution of personal property in case of intestacy,\u201d Laws of 1868-9, ch. 113, which was brought forward in The Code of 1883 and Revisal, secs. 59 and 60, with the change that the recovery in such instances \u201cshall be disposed of as provided in this chapter for the distribution of personal property in case of intestacy\u201d: Keld, that there being no provision in that chapter for the widow\u2019s year\u2019s support, she is not entitled to have it set apart from a recovery of this character.\nAppeal by plaintiff from 0. H. Alim, J., at September Term, of FORSYTH.\nThis is a controversy submitted without action, and the material facts are, that William Broadnax, the husband of Alice Broadnax, the plaintiff herein, was an employee at the plant of the Keynolds Tobacco Company, and while so employed, was killed. He left several children, both minors and adults, but no property, either real or personal. Alice Broadnax qualified as his administratrix and settled any claim which she, as adminis-tratrix, had by reason of the death of her intestate, receiving as the result of said settlement the sum of $900, and the only question involved in this appeal is whether Alice Broadnax, as the widow of William Broadnax, is entitled to her year\u2019s allowance out of the said fund of $900.\nHis Honor held against the claim for a year\u2019s allowance, and the widow excepted and appealed.\nJohn M. Robinson for plaintiff.\nW. Reade Johnson for administratrix.\nLouis M. Swinlc for defendants."
  },
  "file_name": "0432-01",
  "first_page_order": 472,
  "last_page_order": 475
}