Harrington v. Taylor
Supreme Court of North Carolina
36 S.E.2d. 227 (1945)
Relevant factsFree
After Taylor (defendant) assaulted his wife a second time in Harrington's (plaintiff) house, his wife knocked him down and raised an axe to strike him; Harrington intervened, stepping between them, and the axe blow meant for Taylor instead severely injured Harrington's hand. Taylor orally promised to compensate Harrington for her injuries, paid a small amount, and then refused to pay more. Harrington sued to enforce the promise; Taylor's demurrer to the complaint was sustained, and Harrington appealed.
IssueFree
Whether a voluntary humanitarian act performed to save another person constitutes sufficient consideration to support that person's subsequent promise to pay for resulting injuries.