Weil v. Centerfit

• Citation: 201 Ala. 531,78 So. 885
• Decision Date: 18 April 1918
• Docket Number: 3 Div. 350
• Parties: WEIL v. CENTERFIT.
• Court: Alabama Supreme Court

78 So. 885

201 Ala. 531

WEIL v. CENTERFIT.

3 Div. 350

Supreme Court of Alabama

April 18, 1918

Appeal from Circuit Court, Montgomery County; Leon McCord, Judge.

Action by S.E. Centerfit against Adolph Weil. Judgment for plaintiff, and defendant appeals. Transferred from the Court of Appeals under Act April 18, 1911, p. 449, § 6. Affirmed.

Weil Stakely & Vardaman, of Montgomery, for appellant.

Andrews & Rives, of Montgomery, for appellee.

THOMAS J.

The entire evidence has been examined, and we are of opinion that the trial judge, before whom the cause was tried without a jury, reached the correct conclusion; the evidence being ore tenus. The circumstances, notably the detailed conversations between divers persons and the defendant, occurring immediately after the injury, show an implied promise on the part of the defendant to become responsible for medical services reasonably necessary to be rendered to the injured party in question. Certainly the evidence on this point was sufficient to warrant the jury in drawing the inference of assent or agreement on the part of Mr. Weil to liability for necessary and reasonable medical attention to the injured man.

In Curry v. Shelby, 90 Ala. 277, 7 So. 922, the court said:

"Though the evidence is not conflicting, it is oral, and manifestly inferences are to be drawn therefrom upon consideration of all the facts and circumstances. Every person, who may go for the regular attending physician when needed by his patient, or who, from considerations of friendship or humanity, may request him not to discontinue his attendance, does not render himself responsible for the services of the physician. Whether he does or not, depends upon the attendant circumstances. However well satisfied the court may be as to the proper inferences, if there be any evidence, however weak, from which an adverse inference may be drawn, the case cannot properly be taken from the jury. *** Both express and implied contracts are founded upon the actual intention and agreement of the parties; the only distinction between them being as to the mode of proof, or evidence by which they are substantiated. *** There are, no doubt, some cases so free from ambiguity, or opportunity for inference, as that the court itself could legally presume such intention; but in all cases of doubt it is well settled to be a matter proper for the determination of the jury, who would have a right to consider all the relevant circumstances of the case throwing any light upon the question of such intention." Keel v. Larkin, 72 Ala. 493, 502; Clark v. Jones Bros., 87 Ala. 475, 6 So. 362; City Council of Montgomery v. Water Works Co., 77 Ala. 248; Stoudenmire v. Harper Bros., 81 Ala. 242 1 So. 857; Curry v. Shelby, supra; Park-Robertson Hardware Co. v. Copeland, 11 Ala.App. 447, 450, 451, 66 So. 880.

If the services were rendered by Doctor Centerfit on the sole credit of the defendant, the promise of the latter was original, and without the statute of frauds. Boykin v. Dohlonde, 37 Ala. 577; Clark v. Jones, supra; Webb v. Hawkins Lumber Co., 101 Ala. 630, 14 So. 407; Strouse v Elting, 110 Ala. 132, 20 So. 123; Shepherd v. Butcher Tool & Hardware Co., 73 So. 498. Whether the defendant authorized the employment of a physician to give the necessary medical attention to his injured servant, and whether such services were extended on the faith and credit of defendant's authorization, were jury questions; and we hold that they were correctly decided by the trial judge sitting without a jury. Montgomery Brew. Co. v. Caffee, 93 Ala. 132, 9 So. 573; Shrimpton v. Brice, 102 Ala. 655, 667, 15 So. 452; Mich. College v. Charlesworth, 54 Mich. 522, 530, 20 N.W. 566; Clark v. Waterman, 7 Vt. 76, 29 Am.Dec. 150; Cheek v. Boyd (Tex.) 134 S.W. 252; Smith v. Riddick, 50 N.C. (5 Jones, Law) 342; Bradley v. Dodge, 45 How.Prac. (N.Y.) 57; Morrell v. Lawrence, 203 Mo. 363, 101 S.W. 571, 120 Am.St.Rep. 660, 11 Ann.Cas. 650; Till v. Redus, 79 Miss. 125; Scarman v. Castell, 1 Esp. 270.

This cause was tried before the court without a jury, and to the judgment of the court we must accord the same force and effect as if rendered upon the verdict...