Case ID: stew_1/html/0145-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "JUDGE WHITE", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

Rhodes v. Roberts.
    •£. The master of a steamboat is liable in trespass for an injury done to the person of another, by the discharge of a gun from the boat in his presence and uy his command, and altbo'ugh it proceeded from the want of due care merely.
    2. For an injury thus done to the person, smart money or exemplary damages may be recovered.
    Trespass vi et armis by Roberts against Rhodes, in the Circuit Court of Dallas county. The declaration charged that the defendant, being master and commander of the steamboat Elizabeth, shot and discharged the steamboat gun from off the same to and against the plaintiff, bv which he was wounded, and for a long time prevented from attending to his necessary business, and forced to expend a large sum of money in endeavoring tobe cured, &c. Another , ;ount charged the defendant with having caused the gun to be shot off and discharg< d; ancj another count charged that he assaulted the plaintiff with a gun, &c. General issue. Verdict and judgement for the plaintiff for §1500 damages.
    On the trial, evidence having been offered that the defendant was master and owner of the su amboat Elizabeth, and was present, and ordered a person in his employment to fire the gun which wounded the plaintiff. 7'he defendant bv his counsel, moved the Court to instruct the jury, that if it was not a wilful act, trespass could not be sustained, and that unless the trespass proceeded from a w.lful act, as contradistinguished from negligence or a want of care, the plaintiff could not recover smart money by way of damages ; which instructions the Court refused to give, and the defendant excepted.
    Rhodes here assigned as errors,
    1. The matter set forth in the bill of exceptions.
    2. The action should have been trespass on the case.
    3. The plaintiff should have averred an indictment and acquittal of the voluntary shooting.
    Hitchcock and Gordon, for plaintiff.
    H. G. Perry, for defendant in error.
   JUDGE WHITE

delivered the opinion of the Court

As to the form of action for the injury charged, whenever the injury is direct and immediate, whether it proceed from design or negligence, trespass will lie. But where the injury is merely consequential, the remedy must be by action on the case. For the act of a servant, or one in the employment of another, although the servant mav be liable in trespass, the master is not liable in that form of action unless present, directing, advising or en-com aging the act; but if he is present when the act which produces the injuiy is done by the servant,and directs, advises or encourages it, he makes it his own, and as a pr ncipal trespasser, is liable to the party aggrieved in an action of trespass, either jointly with his servant, or separately against himself; and the injury being the result of negligence or want of care, does not exempt him trom liabiiity in this form of action.

'hete the injui y is to the pers- n of the plair.tiff, the amount of damages cannot be measured by any certain and precise standard. The negligence may be very gross and reprehensible, and in all such cases the jiuy may give sm ut money, if in their view the circumstances are such as to require it. Let the judgement be affirmed.

Judge Saffold not sitting.