Lewis

Lewis v. United States

Good Law
327 F. Supp. 561·1971 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 14289
United States District Court, Southern District of CaliforniaMarch 8, 1971Civ. No. 69-262-MCalifornia212 words

Opinion

lead Opinion

Murray, J.

ORDER

This action arises under Title 38 U. S.C.A., 784 ff., for the purpose of setting aside a designation of beneficiary on two National Service Life Insurance Policies. The defendants have filed a cross complaint asking the court to deny plaintiffs any relief and to grant them reasonable attorney’s fees from the plaintiffs in case they are successful. The plaintiffs have moved the court to dismiss the Cross Complaint.

The subject of attorney’s fees as it applies to this Title is fully covered in Section 784(g).

It should also be noted that attorney’s fees can ordinarily be obtained by a prevailing party against an adverse party only by virtue of a statute, a rule of court, or the provisions of a written agreement. Standard Accident Ins. Co. of Detroit, Mich. v. Hull et al., 91 F.Supp. 65 (S.D.Cal.1950). Attorney’s fees are not recognized as recoverable damages unless authorized by statute or contract. Paper Makers Importing Co. v. City of Milwaukee, 165 F.Supp. 491 (E.D.Wis.1958).

*562 Here the court knows of no exception that would allow an action for the recovery of attorney’s fees in this type of case.

Therefore, it is ordered and this does order that the said motion to…

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