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Hawkins v. McGee: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox Case Brief
{{Infobox Case Brief
|court=Supreme Court of New Hampshire
|court=New Hampshire Supreme Court
|citation=84 N.H. 114, 146 A. 641 (1929)
|citation=84 N.H. 114, 146 A. 641 (1929)
|date=1929
|date=1929
|subject=Contracts
|subject=Contracts
|case_treatment=No
|facts=Defendant Dr. McGee promised Plaintiff Hawkins that his hand would be a "one hundred percent good hand" after a skin graft operation. The hand was unsatisfactory after the operation (it became covered in hair).
|procedural_history=The jury was instructed to award damages based on restitution damages (the difference between Hawkin's prior hand and his now-hairy hand).
|comments=*"[https://www.findlaw.com/legal/law-students/surviving-law-school/hawkins-v--mcgee-case-summary.html Case of the Hairy Hand]." It is famous for its mention in the movie and novel ''The Paper Chase.''
|case_text_links={{Infobox Case Brief/Case Text Link
|link=https://www.quimbee.com/cases/hawkins-v-mcgee
|case_text_source=Quimbee video summary
}}
}}
}}
'''Facts''': Defendant Dr. McGee promised Plaintiff Hawkins that his hand would be a "one hundred percent good hand" after a skin graft operation. The hand was unsatisfactory after the operation (it became covered in hair).
'''Procedural History''': The jury was instructed to award damages based on restitution damages (the difference between Hawkin's prior hand and his now-hairy hand).
'''Issue''': Was what the Dr. said really a promise? Were the instructions to the Jury proper?
'''Issue''': Was what the Dr. said really a promise? Were the instructions to the Jury proper?



Revision as of 13:47, July 4, 2023

Hawkins v. McGee
Court New Hampshire Supreme Court
Citation 84 N.H. 114, 146 A. 641 (1929)
Date decided 1929

Facts

Defendant Dr. McGee promised Plaintiff Hawkins that his hand would be a "one hundred percent good hand" after a skin graft operation. The hand was unsatisfactory after the operation (it became covered in hair).

Procedural History

The jury was instructed to award damages based on restitution damages (the difference between Hawkin's prior hand and his now-hairy hand).

Comments

Case Text Links

Issue: Was what the Dr. said really a promise? Were the instructions to the Jury proper?

Holding: Yes, it was part of a valid contract. No, jury instructions were improper.

Reasons: The jury instructions should have specified expectation damages (the difference between a perfect hand as promised and the actual condition of the hand).

Judgment: New trial ordered.