Ryder v. Jefferson Hotel Co.
South Carolina Supreme Court
113 S.E. 474 (S.C. 1922)
Charles and Edith Ryder (plaintiffs), a married couple staying at a hotel owned by Jefferson Hotel Company (Jefferson) (defendant), were woken in the middle of the night by a Jefferson servant who insulted them by suggesting they were not actually husband and wife, forcing the couple to find new lodging at what they alleged was great expense to their credit, reputations, and business. Charles and Edith jointly brought a single tort claim against Jefferson, which demurred on the ground that the two had separate causes of action that could not be joined; the circuit court overruled the demurrer, and Jefferson appealed.
Whether two claims may be joined if, although arising out of the same event, the rights violated and the injuries sustained are several.