Case ID: ky_172/html/0532-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "William Rogers Clay, Commissioner", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Martin v. City of Williamsburg.
    (Decided December 1, 1916.)
    Appeal from Whitley Circuit Court.
    Appeal and Error — Prejudicial Error — Reversal.—A judgment will not be reversed for errors which are not prejudicial to appellant’s substantial rights.
    ROSE & POPE for appellant.
    H. C. GILLIS and T. E. MAHAN for appellee.
   Opinion op the Court by

William Rogers Clay, Commissioner

Affirming.

Plaintiff,' Mrs. Ellen Martin, brought this suit against the City of Williamsburg to recover damages for injury to her property, alleged to have been caused by the negligent acts of the defendant. A trial before a jury resulted in a verdict and judgment for the city. Plaintiff appeals.

Plaintiff asked for damages on three grounds: (1) The negligent grading of the streets on the north and east sides of her residence so as to increase and change the natural flow and amount of water which fell from adjacent and surrounding territory and cause same to overflow her premises; (2) the construction of a fill on the north side of her residence and the erection of a stone wall so close to her property as to entirely cut off the use of a wagon road, the only entrance into her premises; and, (3) the deposit in front of her house of large quantities of filth, garbage, etc., which caused offensive odors and interfered with the comfortable enjoyment of her home.

A reversal is asked because of alleged errors in the instructions and the rejection of competent evidence. We deem it unnecessary to enter into a discussion of the errors relied on. Not only is plaintiff’s evidence of damage unsatisfactory and unconvincing, but the overwhelming' weight of the evidence is to the effect that plaintiff’s property was not injured by any of the negligent acts complained of. Indeed, it is difficult to see how the jury which heard the case and viewed the premises could have returned any other verdict. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the errors relied on could not have been prejudicial to appellant’s substantial rights and are not sufficient, therefore, to authorize a reversal.

Judgment affirmed.