Case ID: wv-ct-cl_4/html/0086-01.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "MERRIMAN S. SMITH, JUDGE. ROBERT L. BLAND, JUDGE,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

(No. 603-S
    SIM McGRADY, Claimant, v. STATE ROAD COMMISSION, Respondent.
    
      Opinion filed November 3, 1947
    
   MERRIMAN S. SMITH, JUDGE.

Janet Lee McGrady, the daughter of claimant Sim Mc-Grady, a rural mail carrier, was carrying the mail from Lester, Raleigh county, West Virginia, on October 3, 1946, when crossing a wooden bridge about one mile from Lester, on Maple Meadow secondary road in IIoo-Hoo hollow, the horse broke through the wooden boards, straining and bruising the stifle joint on its right hind leg. Sim Mc-Grady, the owner of the horse, by way of a compromise agreement made claim for $38.00, which covered a substitute horse used fourteen days, at $2.00 per day, and veterinarian services of $10.00.

Payment of this claim was concurred in by the head of the state road commission and approved by the attorney general.

The statute, Michie’s code section 1474(15), official code, chapter 17, article 4, section 33, provides for the inspection and safe maintenance of the bridges in the road system of the state.

The record in this claim states that the bridge upon which this accident occurred was in very bad condition. Therefore, the majority of this court recommends an award for the sum of thirty-eight dollars ($38.00) in behalf of the claimant Sim McGrady.

ROBERT L. BLAND, JUDGE,

dissenting.

Since I do not think that claims against the state involving questions of fact or liability should be submitted to the court of claims for determination under its shortened procedure provision, as has been done in the instant case, I do not concur in the award made. The “shortened procedure” is provided for small claims where no question of fact or liability is in issue.