Schnibben v. . Ballard Ballard Co.

This was a civil action to recover damages for the alleged wrongful death of Charles Schnibben, instituted by his executrix, and joined in by his former employer, self-liability insurance carrier, against which claim under the Workmen's Compensation Act had been filed by his dependent widow. Complaint was filed by the plaintiffs. Answer was filed by the defendants. Complaint was amended by leave of the court so as to allege that since the institution of this action an award had been made by the Industrial Commission against the city, as employer, in favor of the widow of the deceased employee. Demurrer was filed to the complaint as amended. Demurrer was overruled. Defendants excepted and appealed to the Supreme Court. The defendants filed answer to the complaint. By so doing they waived any right to demur to the complaint except upon the first and last grounds stated in C. S., 511, namely, that "the court has no jurisdiction of the person of the defendant or of the subject of the action," and "the complaint does not state facts sufficient to constitute a cause of action."Ransom v. McClees, 64 N.C. 17; Finch v. Baskerville, 85 N.C. 205;Goldsboro v. Supply Co., 200 N.C. 405, and cases there cited; McIntosh's N.C. Prac. and Proc., pp. 457, 458. The rather elaborate demurrer filed is not based upon either of these grounds, and could not have been sustained had it been so based. True, the demurrer filed was to the amended complaint, but, in the language of the appellant's brief, page 3, "the amended complaint is substantially the same as the original complaint." Certainly, the amendment adds nothing to the original complaint and takes nothing from it which nullifies the waiver of the right to demur caused by the filing of an answer.

Affirmed.