Title: Pendergrass v. Lovelace

State: new-mexico

Issuer: New Mexico Supreme Court

Document:

262 P.2d 231 (1953) 57 N.M. 661 PENDERGRASS v. LOVELACE. No. 5673. Supreme Court of New Mexico. October 9, 1953. Smith & Smith, Clovis, for appellant. Gore & Nieves, Clovis, for appellee. COMPTON, Justice. This is an action for damages for the negligent spraying of a cotton crop. Appellee's cotton was located on land adjacent to appellant's premises. At the time of the spraying the cotton was up, a good stand, and gave promise of producing a fair yield. Appellant employed one Olmstead to spray his premises which were infested with weeds and vines. The spraying was done by the use of an airplane and with a solution commonly known as 2,4-D, a solution highly dangerous to cotton plants. In spraying appellant's premises, Olmstead flew at low altitude over the field of cotton belonging to appellee, making at least three trips. The plane emitted sufficient quantities of the solution as to damage the growing cotton. The cause was tried to the court, which found Olmstead's negligence was the proximate cause of the damages. From an adverse judgment, appellant appeals. The sufficiency of the evidence to identify Olmstead as the operator of the plane is questioned. This contention merits but little consideration. Appellee and his *232 sons were working in the cotton during the early part of June 1951, when an airplane sprayed appellant's premises. The plane then passed over the cotton crop and did the damages complained of. When the cotton began to show the effects of the spraying, appellee discussed the question of damages with appellant and he admitted that on June 7, 1951, Olmstead sprayed his premises with 2,4-D, by the use of an airplane. Moreover, appellant suggested both of them should sue Olmstead for his negligence. We will not review the evidence further. Suffice it to say, no logical conclusion can be reached other than Olmstead was the operator of the plane. Urgently argued is the point that Olmstead was an independent contractor; hence, appellant is not responsible for his acts. It is a general rule that an employer is not liable for the negligence of an independent contractor; however, there are certain exceptions to the rule. Work that is intrinsically and inherently dangerous in performance is not delegable so as to escape liability, and 2,4-D is potentially dangerous. Chapman Chemical Co. v. Taylor, 215 Ark. 630, 222 S.W.2d 820. Consequently, when appellant delegated the spraying of his premises to Olmstead, whether as an employee or independent contractor, he assumed full responsibility for his acts. The test in such case is stated at 57 C.J.S., Master and Servant, § 590(b) and § 591(a), as follows: The following are other crop dusting cases: Gerrard Co. Inc. v. Fricker, 42 Ariz. 503, 27 P.2d 678; Heeb v. Prysock, 219 Ark. 899, 245 S.W.2d 577; McKennon v. Jones, 219 Ark. 671, 244 S.W.2d 138. See also Miles v. A. Arena & Co., 23 Cal. App. 2d 680, 73 P.2d 1260; State v. Williams, 12 Wash. 2d 1, 120 P.2d 496; Law v. Phillips, W. Va., 68 S.E.2d 452; Pannella v. Reilly, 304 Mass. 172, 23 N.E.2d 87; and Anno. 12 A.L.R.2d 436 where the cases are collected. It is finally asserted the evidence as to damages is speculative and uncertain. We have held mathematical exactness is not required. J.R. Watkins Co. v. Eaker, 56 N.M. 385, 244 P.2d 540. When the proof is reasonably certain that damages have been sustained, mere uncertainty as to amount does not deny the right of recovery. Under the view we take of the evidence, the damages sustained by appellee are fairly susceptible. Appellee's cotton crop was the only one in that vicinity. The nearest cotton grown that year was by one Magness, a distance of some 7 or 8 miles. The Magness cotton was used by the court as a basis for comparison. As previously stated, appellee's crop at the time it was damaged was well advanced. The Magness land and the land upon which appellee's cotton was planted were substantially the same; the rainfall compared favorably; and cultivation was essentially in the same manner. But for the injury, appellee would have produced approximately 5,644 pounds of cotton which was then selling at thirty-two cents per pound; instead, his cotton crop, after deducting cost of harvest, brought the sum of $441.99. The harvest told the story. On these facts, the court ascertained the damages for which *233 judgment was rendered, $1,211.99. Uncertainty which prevents a recovery is treated by the author at 15 Am.Jur., Damages, § 23, in the following language: The measure of damages as to growing crops was before us in Smith v. Hicks, 14 N.M. 560, 98 P. 138, 144, 19 L.R.A.,N.S., 938, wherein the court quotes approvingly, the following: The judgment will be affirmed. And It Is So Ordered. SADLER, C.J., and McGHEE, LUJAN and SEYMOUR, JJ., concur.