{ "id": 8570492, "name": "LYNDA JOYCE PITTMAN by her Next Friend, SAM L. PITTMAN, JR. v. MUNSON RAY SNEDEKER, Original Defendant, ISA W. PITTMAN, Additional Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "Pittman ex rel. Pittman v. Snedeker", "decision_date": "1965-03-17", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "55", "last_page": "58", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "264 N.C. 55" } ], "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": "4 S.E. 148", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "6 La. 59", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "La.", "case_ids": [ 1823305 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/la/6/0059-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 Am. Dec. 568", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "Am. Dec.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "57 N.C. 262", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2082981 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/57/0262-01" ] }, { "cite": "20 S.E. 173", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "115 N.C. 38", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8651197 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/115/0038-01" ] }, { "cite": "183 S.E. 732", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "209 N.C. 585", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 2221566 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/209/0585-01" ] }, { "cite": "97 S.E. 2d 773", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "246 N.C. 179", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625269 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/246/0179-01" ] }, { "cite": "114 S.E. 2d 277", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "252 N.C. 589", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8624723 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/252/0589-01" ] }, { "cite": "149 A.L.R. 1183", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "27 S.E. 2d 736", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "223 N.C. 647", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615340 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/223/0647-01" ] }, { "cite": "86 S.E. 2d 780", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "242 N.C. 67", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8608947 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/242/0067-01" ] }, { "cite": "104 S.E. 2d 833", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "248 N.C. 703", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8625771 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/248/0703-01" ] }, { "cite": "122 S.E. 2d 366", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "255 N.C. 537", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8571019 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/255/0537-01" ] }, { "cite": "188 S.E. 634", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "211 N.C. 13", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8622950 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/211/0013-01" ] }, { "cite": "18 S.E. 104", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "113 N.C. 197", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652609 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/113/0197-01" ] }, { "cite": "131 S.E. 2d 338", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "259 N.C. 732", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8562582 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/259/0732-01" ] }, { "cite": "130 S.E. 2d 668", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "259 N.C. 345", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8560512 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/259/0345-01" ] }, { "cite": "125 S.E. 2d 580", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "257 N.C. 255", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8567061 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/257/0255-01" ] }, { "cite": "125 S.E. 2d 25", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "256 N.C. 721", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8574855 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/256/0721-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 S.E. 2d 553", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "238 N.C. 24", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8598244 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/238/0024-01" ] }, { "cite": "72 S.E. 2d 231", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "236 N.C. 157", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8623114 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/236/0157-01" ] }, { "cite": "51 S.E. 1029", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "139 N.C. 427", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652788 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/139/0427-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 535, "char_count": 9618, "ocr_confidence": 0.563, "pagerank": { "raw": 1.2924678943100596e-07, "percentile": 0.6200931019530482 }, "sha256": "7d93e700f4e8cae1926d5b53a208c64d623f96d76e323384b9f145f5b4f6cbc3", "simhash": "1:1a5595f010cb2dd7", "word_count": 1590 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T15:18:06.877661+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "LYNDA JOYCE PITTMAN by her Next Friend, SAM L. PITTMAN, JR. v. MUNSON RAY SNEDEKER, Original Defendant, ISA W. PITTMAN, Additional Defendant." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "RodmaN, J.\nAppellant assigns as error the failure of the court to find that the policy of insurance issued by the United Services Association to Snedeker obligated it to: (a) defend suits brought against its insured for damages resulting from the negligent use of his automobile; (b) to pay, not in excess of its policy limits, any judgment rendered against its insured; and (c) the insurance company, on payment, would be subrogated to the rights of the insured.\nA sufficient answer to this assignment of error is the failure of appellant to include in her evidence the policy issued to Snedeker. Since the policy was not offered in evidence, Judge Morris could not know what its provisions were, and could not make any findings with respect thereto. Manifestly, this assignment cannot be sustained. Nonetheless, the failure to make the finding has not prejudiced appellant. More than half a century ago, this Court expressly declared that where an insurer compensates its insured for loss sustained by the wrong of another, he is subrogated to all of the rights of its insured. Cunningham v. R. R., 139 N.C. 427, 51 S.E. 1029. The conclusion then reached has been reaffirmed in multitudinous subsequent cases. Burgess v. Trevathan, 236 N.C. 157, 72 S.E. 2d 231; Lyon & Sons v. Board of Education, 238 N.C. 24, 76 S.E. 2d 553; Insurance Co. v. Trucking Co., 256 N.C. 721, 125 S.E. 2d 25; Philips v. Alston, 257 N.C. 255, 125 S.E. 2d 580; Jewell v. Price, 259 N.C. 345, 130 S.E. 2d 668; Insurance Co. v. Spivey, 259 N.C. 732, 131 S.E. 2d 338.\nThe right of subrogation, or substitution of the insurer for the insured, does not take place until the insurer has complied with its obligation and made payment to its insured. Liles v. Rogers, 113 N.C. 197, 18 S.E. 104.\nAppellant's other assignments of error are based on the contention that Snedeker's insurance carrier is seeking contribution from a joint tort feasor; this right arises only by virtue of our statute, G.S. 1-240; the statute does not permit a tort feasor\u2019s subrogee to maintain an action for contribution. She relies on Casualty Co. v. Guaranty Co., 211 N.C. 13, 188 S.E. 634, and Herring v. Jackson, 255 N.C. 537, 122 S.E. 2d 366, to support her position.\nJoint tort feasors were not, at common law, entitled to contribution. Bell v. Lacey, 248 N.C. 703, 104 S.E. 2d 833; Potter v. Frosty Morn Meats, Inc., 242 N.C. 67, 86 S.E. 2d 780; Godfrey v. Power Co., 223 N.C. 647, 27 S.E. 2d 736, 149 A.L.R. 1183. That right has now been accorded by statute, G.S. 1-240; but under our decisions, it is a personal right. It is not one that can be assigned or transferred by operation of law under the doctrine of subrogation. That is the holding in Herring v. Jackson, supra; Squires v. Sorahan, 252 N.C. 589, 114 S.E. 2d 277; Casualty Co. v. Guaranty Co., supra, and like cases.\nAppellant ignores the factual differences between the cases on which she relies and the present case. The difference is vital. In Herring v. Jackson, supra, Herring\u2019s insurance carrier, the real party in interest, caused an action to be instituted against Jackson to enforce the asserted right of contribution which G.S. 1-240 accords joint tort feasors. It was held the action could not be maintained in Herring\u2019s name because he was not the real party in interest, nor in the name of the insurance carrier because the statute limited the right to maintain such actions to tort feasors. It is not an assignable cause of action.\nIn Casualty Co. v. Guaranty Co., supra, plaintiff, a subrogee, sought to recover from the liability insurance carrier of a tort feasor.\nHere, plaintiff sued Snedeker for $25,000. Snedeker had insurance protection for $10,000. He could not compel plaintiff to sue the additional defendant, plaintiff\u2019s grandmother, with whom plaintiff was riding. Since plaintiff elected to sue Snedeker alone, no judgment could be rendered in her favor against Mrs. Pittman. Bell v. Lacey, supra; Norris v. Johnson, 246 N.C. 179, 97 S.E. 2d 773. But plaintiff, exercising her prerogative to sue Snedeker alone, could not deprive him of the right accorded by statute to have his joint tort feasor made a party, and her liability to Snedeker determined.\nThe verdict and judgment rendered in May 1963 settled the question of contribution. The court properly decreed that Snedeker, upon payment of plaintiff\u2019s judgment, recover of the defendant, Isa W. Pittman, one-half of the amount paid plaintiff.\nThe cancellation of plaintiff\u2019s judgment against Snedeker established the additional defendant\u2019s liability. An assignment of the judgment obtained by plaintiff was not necessary to impose liability on the additional defendant. The moment plaintiff\u2019s judgment was satisfied Mrs. Pittman became a judgment debtor. Her liability as a tort feasor merged in the judgment.\nThere has been no cancellation of the judgment for which appellant is liable. She makes no claim that she has paid the debt which a court of competent jurisdiction has solemnly declared she owes. She seeks to escape her obligation because an insurance company made the payment as required by its contract with the original defendant. The insurance company was not a volunteer. If Snedeker had borrowed the money from someone under no obligation to make a loan, and, as security for the loan, assigned his judgment in favor of the additional defendant, no one would question the right of the assignee to enforce the judgment against the additional defendant. No sound reason appears why the insurance carrier should be penalized for performing its contractual obligation.\nMrs. Pittman can, by paying the amount for which she is liable to the Clerk, have the judgment against her cancelled, G.S. 1-239. If she elects not to pay, the judgment may be enforced by execution issuing thereon. Jones v. Franklin Estate, 209 N.C. 585, 183 S.E. 732; Peebles v. Gay, 115 N.C. 38, 20 S.E. 173; Hanner v. Douglass, 57 N.C. 262; Connely v. Bourg, 79 Am. Dec. 568; Sprigg v. Beaman, 6 La. 59; Garvin v. Garvin, 4 S.E. 148; 2 Freeman on Judgments (5th Ed.) \u00a7 1059.\nAffirmed.", "type": "majority", "author": "RodmaN, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "David, S. Henderson for appellant.", "Barden, Stith, MeCotter \u25a0& Sugg for defendant appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "LYNDA JOYCE PITTMAN by her Next Friend, SAM L. PITTMAN, JR. v. MUNSON RAY SNEDEKER, Original Defendant, ISA W. PITTMAN, Additional Defendant.\n(Filed 17 March, 1965.)\n1. Appeal and Error \u00a7 22\u2014\nAn exception to the failure of the court to find certain facts is untenable when appellant fails to introduce evidence in the record which would sustain such findings.\n2. Insurance \u00a7 66.1\u2014\nAn insurer compensating its insured for loss sustained by the wrong of a third person is subrogated to the rights of insured against such third person.\nS. Same; Judgments \u00a7 47; Torts \u00a7 4\u2014\nThe fact that insurer for the original defendant pays plaintiff\u2019s judgment against its insured, and plaintiff\u2019s judgment is marked paid and satisfied, does not extinguish or affect the judgment in favor of the original defendant against the additional defendant for contribution, Gr.S. 1-240, and if the additional defendant does not pay same, the original defendant is entitled to enforce the judgment by issuance of execution.\nAppeal by additional defendant, Isa W. Pittman, from Morris, J., November-December 1964 Session of CraveN.\nThis is an appeal from an order refusing to enjoin collection of a judgment rendered in May 1963 in favor of Munson Bay Snedeker v. Isa W. Pittman.\nThe parties waived a jury trial. Judge Morris found these facts: Plaintiff, a minor, was injured when an automobile operated by Isa W. Pittman and an automobile operated by defendant Snedeker collided.\nPlaintiff instituted suit against Snedeker to recover compensation for the injuries she sustained in the collision. He denied liability. He stated a cross action against Mrs. Isa W. Pittman, operator of the other automobile, as a tort feasor. She was made a party.\nWhen tried in May 1963, the jury found plaintiff was injured by the negligence of defendant Snedeker. It fixed the amount of plaintiff\u2019s damage. It found plaintiff was injured \u201cby the concurrent negligence of defendant Isa W. Pittman, as alleged in the answer of Munson Ray Snedeker.\u201d\nBased on the jury\u2019s verdict, judgment was entered in favor of plaintiff, and against defendant Snedeker. The judgment further provided \u201cthat the defendant, Munson Ray Snedeker, upon the payment of said judgment and costs shall have and recover of the defendant, Isa W. Pittman one half of any sums recovered of the defendant, Munson Ray Snedeker by reason of this judgment, and one-half of the cost of the court by way of contribution as provided in G.S. 1-240.\u201d The amount owing plaintiff was paid to the Clerk. He noted on the judgment docket satisfaction of plaintiff's judgment.\nThereafter, counsel for defendant Snedeker caused execution to issue against Isa W. Pittman for one-half of the sum paid in satisfaction of plaintiff's judgment. Mrs. Pittman sought to enjoin collection of the execution. She alleged the judgment in plaintiff\u2019s favor had not been assigned. It had been marked \u201cpaid and satisfied.\u201d The payment to the Clerk was made by Snedeker\u2019s liability insurance carrier \u2014 Snedeker in fact paid nothing.\nThe court found United Services Automobile Association, Snedeker\u2019s liability insurance carrier, furnished the money to pay plaintiff.\nBased on the findings, the court concluded: \u201cThat the original defendant, Snedeker, is entitled to have execution issued for one-half the aforesaid judgment and court costs, to wit: $4,500.00 plus one-half the costs.\u201d It refused to enjoin collection. Additional defendant excepted and appealed.\nDavid, S. Henderson for appellant.\nBarden, Stith, MeCotter \u25a0& Sugg for defendant appellee." }, "file_name": "0055-01", "first_page_order": 91, "last_page_order": 94 }