Case ID: misc_55/html/0253-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "\n      Per Guriam.\n    ", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Palvo Valvo, Respondent, v. The New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad Company, Appellant.
    (Supreme Court, Appellate Term,
    June, 1907.)
    Master and servant — Master’s liability for injuries to servant — Risks assumed by servant — Dangers known to servant, etc.— Operation of railways; Contributory negligence.
    Where, in an action for personal injuries to plaintiff employed in defendant’s yard, it appears that at the time of the accident plaintiff was standing or sitting very close to a passing engine which emitted steam and hot water that burned plaintiff’s back; and there was no proof that such discharge was excessive in amount or was made otherwise than in the usual and ordinary manner or that the person in charge of the engine saw plaintiff or could have seen him in the exercise of ordinary care, the defendant is not liable and the complaint will be dismissed.
    Appeal hy the defendant from a judgment of the Municipal Court of the city of Few York, second district, borough of Manhattan, rendered in favor of the plaintiff for $150, and from an order denying defendant’s motion to set aside the judgment and grant a new trial.
    
      William Greenough, for appellant.
    Hobart S. Bird, for respondent.
   Per Guriam.

This is an action to recover damages for personal injuries which the plaintiff claims he sustained through the negligence of the defendant. The plaintiff was employed to work in the yard of the defendant at Forty-second street. The testimony showed that, at the time of the accident, the plaintiff was not working. Some of the witnesses testified that he was standing, leaning on his shovel, so as to permit the engine to pass. Other witnesses testified that he was sitting on a board over the “third rail,” which was very close to the track over which the engine was passing. 'All of the witnesses agreed that the plaintiff was very close to the engine. While passing the plaintiff, the engine emitted steam and hot water which burned the plaintiff on the back. There was no proof that the steam and hot water discharged were excessive in amount, or that the discharge was made other than in the usual and ordinary manner, or that the person in charge of the engine saw the plaintiff, or that he could have seen him in the exercise; of ordinary care. The testimony did not establish the plaintiff’s freedom from contributory negligence, nor did it prove the negligence of the defendant. The motion to dismiss the complaint should have been granted, and the judgment recovered should be reversed.

'Present: Gildersleeve, Seabury and Platzek, JJ.

Judgment reversed and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide event.