REGISTER v. NIAGARA FIRE INS. CO

Messrs. Floyd Craig, Bill R. Craig and Robert G. Cawson, Jr., of Hartsville, for Appellant, cite: As to it being for the trial judge to refuse to strike the allegations of the complaint which attempted to set up a cause of action for breach of contract accompanied by a fraudulent act: 173 S.C. 131, 175 S.E. 73; 244 S.C. 411, 137 S.E.2d 412; 166 S.C. 454, 165 S.E. 203, 84 A.L.R. 1336; 228 S.C. 297, 89 S.E.2d 723; 215 S.C. 1, 53 S.E.2d 861; 207 S.C. 150, 35 S.E.2d 160. As to it being error for the trial judge to refuse to eliminate plaintiff's attorney fees as an element of damages from the complaint, when incurred defending a declaratory judgment proceeding to determine which of two insurers had liability coverage on the plaintiff: 385 P.2d 45 (Wash.); 198 F.2d 441; 200 A.2d 532 (N.J.); 161 So.2d 817 (Ala.); 131 So. 541 (Miss.); 11 S.E.2d 89 (Ga.); 216 S.W.2d 324 (Tenn.); 207 F.2d 588; 283 S.W.2d 245 (Tex.); 311 S.W.2d 41 (Mo.); 264 F.2d 883; 145 So.2d 422 (Ala.); 207 F. Supp. 437; 385 P.2d 45 (Wash.); 313 P.2d 178 (Cal.). Messrs. Thad E. Saleeby and Edward E. Saleeby, of Hartsville, and Isadore E. Lourie, of Columbia, for Respondent, cite: As to an action for breach of contract accompanied by a fraudulent act being ex contractu: 232 S.C. 397, 102 S.E.2d 360; 232 S.C. 433, 102 S.E.2d 743; 183 S.C. 9, 189 S.E. 809; 222 S.C. 492, 73 S.E.2d 688; 10 S.C.L.Q. 444, 463, et seq. As to Respondents expenses in the declaratory judgment action arising not from the provisions of the policy but from Appellant's refusal to comply with it: Appleman on Insurance, Sec. 4691; 29-A Am. Jur. 571, Insurance, Sec. 1460; 240 S.C. 75, 124 S.E.2d 602; 233 F. Supp. 64; 211 N.Y. Supp.2d 762; 25 C.J.S., Damages, Sec. 50 (3); 15 Am. Jur., Damages, Sec. 144; Restatement of Torts, Sec. 914.