{ "id": 8631202, "name": "J. H. COLE and ATLANTIC BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, J. H. COLE, AUGUST KLIPSTEIN, Jr., and NELL FERGUSON, Trustees, v. HARRIS MANGUM WAGNER and His Guardian, MRS. FRANCES C. WAGNER", "name_abbreviation": "Cole v. Wagner", "decision_date": "1929-11-13", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "692", "last_page": "699", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "197 N.C. 692" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "112 N. C., 642", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651608 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/112/0642-01" ] }, { "cite": "160 N. C., 31", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "137 N. C., 430", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "175 N. C., 332", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8659157 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/175/0332-01" ] }, { "cite": "163 N. C., 177", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11271143 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/163/0177-01" ] }, { "cite": "172 N. C., 569", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11254691 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/172/0569-01" ] }, { "cite": "192 N. C., 475", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8623768 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/192/0475-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 N. C., 278", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653664 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/188/0278-01" ] }, { "cite": "108 N. C., 631", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651471 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/108/0631-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N. C., 556", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8696726 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/79/0556-01" ] }, { "cite": "165 Ind., 255", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ind.", "case_ids": [ 1612147 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ind/165/0255-01" ] }, { "cite": "172 Ill., 625", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ill.", "case_ids": [ 3173289 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ill/172/0625-01" ] }, { "cite": "77 N. Y., 400", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.Y.", "case_ids": [ 542937 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ny/77/0400-01" ] }, { "cite": "187 N. C., 386", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653861 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/187/0386-01" ] }, { "cite": "193 N. C., 413", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2217768 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/193/0413-01" ] }, { "cite": "39 A. L. R., 428", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "189 N. C., 502", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8654508 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/189/0502-01" ] }, { "cite": "83 N. C., 357", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11277836 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/83/0357-01" ] }, { "cite": "70 N. C., 110", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8685420 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/70/0110-01" ] }, { "cite": "48 N. C., 111", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2086829 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/48/0111-01" ] }, { "cite": "35 N. C., 106", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11274202 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/35/0106-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 N. C., 328", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8653734 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/188/0328-01" ] }, { "cite": "185 N. C., 109", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655486 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/185/0109-01" ] }, { "cite": "96 N. C., 392", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8650365 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/96/0392-01" ] }, { "cite": "154 N. C., 122", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651876 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/154/0122-01" ] }, { "cite": "150 N. C., 674", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11272330 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/150/0674-01" ] }, { "cite": "93 N. C., 205", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11273068 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/93/0205-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 841, "char_count": 19854, "ocr_confidence": 0.473, "pagerank": { "raw": 9.60764004485148e-07, "percentile": 0.9813645505973514 }, "sha256": "4c191e3f8abf5e0cf93428e923a471cc5a72178412b24d0eb85948666058980e", "simhash": "1:bceb86fbc36cf623", "word_count": 3498 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T16:27:44.780576+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "J. H. COLE and ATLANTIC BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, J. H. COLE, AUGUST KLIPSTEIN, Jr., and NELL FERGUSON, Trustees, v. HARRIS MANGUM WAGNER and His Guardian, MRS. FRANCES C. WAGNER." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "ClabksoN, J.\nTbe defendants\u2019 motion was in the nature of a demurrer ore tenus on the ground that \u201cTbe complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action.\u201d C. S., 511 (6). Tbe complaint must be liberally construed \u201cwith a view to substantial justice between the parties.\u201d C. S., 535. Lee v. Produce Co., post, 714.\n\u201cAn objection that a complaint does not state a. cause of action may be taken advantage of at any time. In such case the defendant may demur ore terms or the Supreme Court of its own motion may take notice of the insufficiency. Johnson v. Finch, 93 N. C., 205; Garrison v. Williams, 150 N. C., 674; McDonald v. MacArthur, 154 N. C., 122.\u201d Lassiter v. Adams, 196 N. C., at p. 712.\nWe lay down certain principles of law and equity that are applicable to the facts set forth in the complaint and appear of record.\n\u201cAs the general rule applicable to contracts is that the infant is not liable thereon, so the general rule in the law of torts is that be is liable.\u201d 14 R. C. L., part sec. 36, p. 259; Smith v. Kron, 96 N. C., 392; Morris Plan Co. v. Palmer, 185 N. C., 109; Hight v. Harris, 188 N. C., 328; Collins v. Norfleet-Baggs, ante, 659. To the general rule that an infant is not liable on contract is the well recognized exception that be is liable for necessaries. Tbe serious question often arises, what are necessaries ?\n\u201cMedical and dental services reasonably required by the infant are usually classed necessaries.\u201d 14 R. C. L., p. 256.\nIn Freeman v. Bridget, 49 N. C., at p. 2, Pearson, J., speaking to the subject: \u201cLord Coke says, Co. Lit., 172a, \u2018It is agreed by all the books, that \u00bfn infant may bind himself to pay for bis necessary meat, drink, apparel, physic and such other necessaries.\u2019 These last words embrace boarding; for shelter is as necessary as food and clothing. They have also been extended so as to embrace schooling and nursing (as well as physic) while sick. In regard to the quality of the clothes and the kind of food, etc., a restriction is added, that it must appear that the articles were suitable to the infant\u2019s degree and estate.\u201d Richardson v. Strong, 35 N. C., 106; Hyman v. Cain, 48 N. C., 111; Jordan v. Coffield, 70 N. C., 110; Turner v. Gaither, 83 N. C., 357; 14 R. C. L., p. 256; Elliott on Contracts, Vol. 1, sec. 297-298.\nIt is also said in the Freeman case, supra, at p. 4: \u201cWhile an infant lives with a parent, he cannot bind himself even for necessaries, unless it be proved that the parent was unable or unwilling to furnish the child with such clothes, etc., as the parent considers necessary, \u2018for no man shall take upon himself to dictate to a parent what clothing the child shall wear, at what time they shall be purchased, or of whom.\u2019 Bainbridge v. Pickering, 2 Blackstone\u2019s Rep., 1325. \u2018Guardians for infants are presumed to furnish all necessaries, and a stranger who furnishes board, or anything else, must, except under peculiar circumstances, take care to contract with the guardian.\u2019 S. v. Cook, 12 Ire. Rep., 67.\u201d See Thayer v. Thayer, 189 N. C., 502, 39 A. L. R., 428.\nThe next serious question is that ordinarily the father is liable for the necessaries of his infant child. In Smith v. Young, 19 N. C., at p. 27, it is said: \u201cThe law is, if an infant is living under the roof of his parent, who provides everything which in his judgment appears to be proper, the infant cannot bind himself to a stranger, even for such articles as might, under other circumstances, be deemed necessaries. . . . But here the defendant did not live under the roof of his parent, but lived apart from him, laboring and receiving the profits of his labor to his own use. He was pro tempore acting as his own man, by the assent of his father; and the articles received by him being necessaries, should be paid for by him.\u201d As to the liability of lunatics on contracts, see Wadford v. Gillette, 193 N. C., 413; Bank v. Duke, 187 N. C., 386.\nIn 31 C. J., part sec. 174, at p. 1077, the law is stated: \u201cAs a rule the parent is liable for the support of his child, and the guardian for the support of his ward. Consequently, an infant who has a parent or guardian, or one who stands in loco parentis, who provides him with everything that appears to be necessary and proper, cannot bind himself to a stranger even for necessaries. Where the parent has the ability and is willing to support his minor child, board, lodging, etc., furnished to such infant by another without the parent\u2019s consent are not necessaries for which the infant is liable. But the mere fact that an infant has a father, mother, or guardian does not prevent his being bound to pay for what was actually necessary for him when furnished, if neither his parents nor guardian did anything toward his care or support.\u201d\nThe next serious question is when money is received that in equity and good conscience belongs to another.\nIn 41 C. J., p. 33, sec. 9, it is said: \u201cTbe question, in an action for .money bad and received, is to which party does the money, in equity, justice, and law, belong ? All plaintiff need show is that defendant holds money which, in equity and good conscience, belongs to him, but if he fails to show such superior right, that is that defendant does hold money which belongs to plaintiff, he cannot recover.\u201d Sec. 14: \u201cWhere one person has received money as an indemnity in which another has the right to share, the latter may maintain an action for money had and received for his portion.\u201d Sec. 18: \u201cAlthough it is held that to support an action for money had and received there must be some privity between the parties in relation to the money sought to be recovered, the preponderance of authority is to the effect that no further privity is required than that which results from one person\u2019s having another\u2019s money, which he has no right conscientiously to keep, as in such cases the law implies a, promise that he will pay it over.\u201d Sec. 34: \u201cIt is immaterial how the money may have come into defendant\u2019s hands, and the fact that it was received from a third person will not affect his liability, if, in equity, and good conscience, he is not entitled to hold it against the true owner.\u201d\n2 Elliott on Contracts, p. 623-4, sec. 1375, in part, thus states the principle: \u201cThe action can be maintained only to recover either money or the equivalent of money. In order to maintain an action for money had and received it is necessary to establish that defendants have received money belonging to the plaintiff or to which he is in equity and good conscience entitled.\n\u201cThe rule is quite elementary that, to enable a person to maintain an action for money had and received, it is necessary for him to establish that the persons sought to be charged have received money belonging to him or to which he is entitled. That is the fundamental fact upon which the right of action depends. Trust Co. v. Gleason, 77 N. Y., 400. The purpose of such action is not to recover damages, but to make the party disgorge; and the recovery must necessarily be limited by the party\u2019s enrichment from the alleged transaction.\u201d Elliott, supra, note p. 1375; Springfield First Nat. Bank v. Gratton, 172 Ill., 625; Porter v. Roseman, 165 Ind., 255; Bahnsen v. Clemmons, 79 N. C., 556; Houser v. McGinnas, 108 N. C., 631.\nThe case of Richardson v. Strong, reported in the 35 N. C., 106, is an interesting one. The defend\u00e1nt became insane and so much so that he attempted to injure himself and destroy his property. His relatives and physician thought it necessary that he have a white man as a nurse and to guard him against violence. Plaintiff was requested by a member of the family to attend on him. He did so. The defendant recovered from his mental sickness and refused to pay plaintiff, who brought suit to recover for his services. The defendant pleaded insanity, and that no promise could be implied. Ruffin, C. J., speaking for the Court, said: \u201cThere is, therefore, no absurdity in the case of lunatics, more than in that of infants, in implying a request to one rendering necessary services, or supplying necessary articles, and implying, also, a, promise to pay for them.\u201d The plaintiff was allowed to recover on a quantum, meruit. .\nIn the present action the complaint alleges that Harris Mangum Wagner was seriously injured, and in order to save his life and usefulness it became necessary that he receive hospital, medical and surgical attention and became an inmate in the \u201cWesley Long Hospital,\u201d and was treated there from 7 August, 1926, to 13 March, 1928. It appears that at the time he was seriously injured he was living with his father, who was and is now supporting him in the usual manner. From the facts alleged in the complaint, we do not think that the fact in regard to his father\u2019s usual support can absolve the infant from liability, under the facts and circumstances of this case. The infant was seriously injured, and by fair inference was immediately taken to the hospital and his life and usefulness was saved by hospital, medical and surgical attention. It was an emergency, and quick action had to be taken. During the period of treatment the father paid for no hospital, medical or surgical treatment for the infant. It seems that he was either unable, at least he did not provide for the infant. The circumstances were peculiar. The father did not provide this attention necessary to save his life and usefulness \u2014 the hospital did. The infant now has an estate, and it is unthinkable that the guardian of the infant should not pay the reasonable expense for saving the child\u2019s life and usefulness.\nAgain, it is alleged in the complaint that the defendant, Harris Man-gum Wagner, for the serious injury, at March Term, 1928, recovered judgment for $4,500. That the hospital, medical and surgical treatment rendered by defendant was a .material and substantial consideration of the judgment. The defendants contend that \u201cThis allegation is so indefinite, indirect and inconclusive as not to state a cause of action.\u201d The defendants could have asked for a bill of particulars, C. S., 534, or when the allegations of a pleading are so indefinite or uncertain that the precise nature of the charge or defense is not apparent, the court, upon motion, may require the pleadings to be made definite and certain by amendment. C. S., 537. Elizabeth City Water Works v. Elizabeth City, 188 N. C., 278.\nIt is well settled in this jurisdiction that in an action for injuries, if the plaintiff \u201cbe entitled to recover at all, he is entitled to recover as damages one compensation \u2014 in a lump sum \u2014 for all injuries, past and prospective, in consequence of the defendant\u2019s wrongful and negligent acts. These are understood to embrace indemnity for actual nursing and medical expenses and loss of time, or loss from inability to perform ordinary labor, or capacity to earn money,\u201d etc. Ledford v. Lumber Co., 183 N. C., at p. 616; Shipp v. Stage Line, 192 N. C., 475.\nTbe money recovered by defendant guardian in the damage suit, wbicb it is alleged was a material and substantial consideration of the judgment, was for necessary expenses of the defendant. To allow the defendant infant to recover upon this theory and then deny the plaintiff in the present action the right to recover on the same theory of necessary expenses, would be blowing hot and cold in the same breath.\nIn Chandler v. Jones, 172 N. C., 569, Allen, J., says: \u201cTbe contract of an infant is voidable and not void, and it may be either ratified or disaffirmed upon attaining majority at the election of the infant. If money is paid to an infant upon a contract and it is consumed or wasted, the infant may recover the full amount due under the contract.\u201d Rawls v. Mayo, 163 N. C., 177; Hogan v. Utter, 175 N. C., 332; Gaskins v. Allen, 137 N. C., 430; Baggett v. Jackson, 160 N. C., 31. See Faircloth v. Johnson, 189 N. C., at p. 431. Tbe defense of infancy must be set up in the answer, and if not pleaded will be considered as waived. Hicks v. Beam, 112 N. C., 642.\nIn this case, plaintiff alleges in substance two causes of action \u2014 one on quantum meruit, and the other for the money bad and received for bis necessary expense. Tbe amount of recovery is bottomed on quantum meruit or reasonable worth of services. In the answer it is alleged that the bills rendered are exorbitant and excessive. Tbis is a question for the jury on the trial. Tbe courts have always been careful to see that the rights of infants are protected. With the power of the lower court to set aside verdicts, we hardly think that the court below that will try this action, would allow an exorbitant and excessive verdict to stand if such a. one was rendered by a jury. For the reasons given, the judgment below is\nReversed.", "type": "majority", "author": "ClabksoN, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "K. R. Hoyle and Hoyle & Harrison for plaintiffs.", "King, Sapp & King and Gamin & Teague for defendants." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "J. H. COLE and ATLANTIC BANK AND TRUST COMPANY, J. H. COLE, AUGUST KLIPSTEIN, Jr., and NELL FERGUSON, Trustees, v. HARRIS MANGUM WAGNER and His Guardian, MRS. FRANCES C. WAGNER.\n(Filed 13 November, 1929.)\n1. Pleadings D a \u2014 Upon demurrer on grounds that cause of action is not stated pleadings will be liberally construed.\nWhere the defendant\u2019s motion for judgment upon the pleadings and that the action be dismissed is in the nature of a demurrer ore terms on the ground that the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action, C. S., 511(6), the pleadings will be liberally construed with a view to substantial justice between the parties. C. S., 535.\n2. Same \u2014 In this case held: cause of action was sufficiently alleged.\nWhere in an action by the trustees of a hospital against a minor and his guardian it is alleged that the hospital gave the infant medical attention necessary to save his life and usefulness after his injury in an accident, and that the guardian of the infant had recovered judgment for the negligent injury, and that hospital and medical attention was a substantial part of the consideration of the judgment recovered by the guardian of the infant: Held,, the allegations are not so vague and uncertain as to fail to state a cause of action, but allege a cause of action upon quantum meruit and for money had and received, and the defendants should have asked, if they desired the complaint to be made more definite, for a bill of particulars, O. S., 534, or move that the plaintiff be required to amend. C. S., 537.\n3. Pleadings D d \u2014 Demurrer on ground that cause of action is not stated may he taken at any time.\nA motion which is in effect to the sufficiency of the complaint to allege a cause of action, or in the nature of a demurrer ore terms may be taken at any time, or the Supreme Court may take knowledge thereof on appeal on its own motion.\n4. Infants B a \u2014 In this case held: hospital might recover for services upon quantum meruit as necessaries.\nA father who furnishes to his infant child a living under his own roof is not ordinarily liable to a stranger for furnishing his infant child such service as the parent may not reasonably consider necessary, yet where the child has met with a serious accident rendering it necessary for him to receive treatment at a hospital in order to save his life and usefulness, the hospital may recover upon a quantum meruit.\n5. Same \u2014 In this case held: hospital could recover against minor\u2019s guardian for necessary medical attention. ' '\nWhere in an action by the owners of a hospital to recover against a guardian of an infant it is alleged that the infant has recovered damages in an action against another for a negligent injury and that a part of the consideration recovered in the judgment was for hospital services rendered by the plaintiff in consequence of such injury: Held, the moneys recovered on account of the hospital treatment, etc., are necessaries.and the plaintiff is entitled to recover from the guardian the amount so paid as moneys had and received by the infant to the use of the plaintiff as upon a quantum meruit.\n6. Money Received A a \u2014 Where judgment recovered for a negligent injury includes hospital expenses, hospital may recover for money received.\nWhere an infant by his next friend has recovered judgment against another for a negligent personal injury, and included therein is the hospital expenses incident to the injury, and the judgment has been paid, the hospital may recover upon quantum meruit the amount of money so adjudicated for its services as for money had and received to its use.\n7. Infants.C a \u2014 Defense of infancy must he pleaded.\nThe defense of infancy of the defendant in a civil action must be set up in the answer, or it will be considered as waived.\n8. Infants B a \u2014 Infant\u2019s contract is voidable and not void.\nThe contracts of an infant are voidable and not void.\n9. Quasi Contracts B b \u2014 Question of reasonable worth of services rendered is for the jury.\nWhere in an action upon quantum meruit the defense is interposed by the infant defendant that the amount sought to be recovered as necessary hospital expenses was excessive and exorbitant; the question is for the jury, the trial court having the power to set aside the verdict if excessive.\nAppeal by plaintiffs from Moore, J., at August Term, 1929, of Guil-eoed.\nReversed.\nThis is an action brought by plaintiffs against the defendants to recover the sum of $2,534.50' and interest from 13 March, 1928.\nThe plaintiffs are the owners of the \u201cWesley Long Hospital\u201d in Greensboro, N. C. The defendant, Harris Mangum Wagner, is a minor about 12 years of age; his mother, the defendant, Mrs. Frances C. Wagner, was appointed guardian after the time her son received the attention hereinafter mentioned in the \u201cWesley Long Hospital.\u201d\nPlaintiffs in their complaint allege: That about 27 August, 1926, Harris Mangum Wagner was seriously injured, and in order to save his life and usefulness that it became necessary that he receive hospital, medical and surgical attention, and he became an inmate of the said hospital and received such attention between said date above mentioned and 13 March, 1928, and the reasonable value of said attention was $2,534.50. An itemized statement showing what the amount was for is attached to the complaint. That at March Term, 1928, the said Harris Mangum Wagner recovered judgment in the Superior Court of Lee County in the sum of $4,500 as damages for the said injury for which the before-mentioned treatment was rendered. That said judgment has been paid to defendant guardian; that said hospital, medical and surgical treatment rendered by the plaintiffs was a material and substantial portion of the consideration for the rendition and payment of said judgment; that Frances C. Wagner is the duly qualified and acting guardian of Harris Mangum Wagner, and as such guardian has or is entitled to the $4,500 damages in payment of the judgment for the personal injury to the said Harris Mangum Wagner.\nThe defendants in their answer admit most of the material allegations of the complaint, but allege that when Harris Mangum Wagner was admitted to the hospital, he was living with his parents. That the son was treated at the hospital at the request of the company through whose negligence he was injured. Plea of infancy is set up, and, in regard to the bill rendered, says: \u201cThe defendant, Frances C. Wagner, . . . does not consider tbe bills rendered in tbis ease reasonable, but on tbe contrary they are exorbitant and excessive.\u201d\nTbe court below found \u201cat tbe time of tbe matters and things set out in the complaint (Harris Mangum Wagner) was then and now is living with bis father, who was and now is supporting him.\u201d Tbis was admitted by plaintiffs.\nTbe defendant moved for judgment upon tbe pleadings and that tbe action be dismissed. Tbe court below granted the motion, and tbe plaintiffs excepted, assigned error and appealed to tbe Supreme Court.\nK. R. Hoyle and Hoyle & Harrison for plaintiffs.\nKing, Sapp & King and Gamin & Teague for defendants." }, "file_name": "0692-01", "first_page_order": 756, "last_page_order": 763 }