Case Name: Chicago & Alton R. R. Co. v. Gee Grimes
Court: Illinois Appellate Court
Jurisdiction: Illinois
Decision Date: 1896-12-09
Citations: 71 Ill. App. 397
Docket Number: 
Parties: Chicago & Alton R. R. Co. v. Gee Grimes.
Judges: 
Reporter: Illinois Appellate Court Reports
Volume: 71
Pages: 397–404

Head Matter:
Chicago & Alton R. R. Co. v. Gee Grimes.
1. Railroads—Can not Contract Against Gross Negligence.—A railroad company can not relieve itself by contract, from liability for damages resulting from its gross negligence.
2. Same— Waiver of Written Notice of a Claim.—A railroad company may waive a provision in a shipping contract, that claims for damages must be made in writing, by receiving a verbal notice without objection and treating the claim as pending.
3. Practice—Statement of Objections on the Ground of Variance.— In a suit against a carrier for damage to property it is not necessary to state where the property was received or discharged, it is sufficient if the relationship between the carrier and the owner of the property be stated and proved; and an objection that there was a variance between the averments and proofs, as to where property was received, should be so stated in the trial court, that the plaintiff may"know of it and have an opportunity to amend his declaration.
4. Remittiturs—Allowed as a Matter of Course.—Remittiturs are allowed as a matter of course when offered voluntarily, and this court does not think the trial court erred in allowing appellee to remit one dollar from bis judgment.
Trespass on the Case, against a common carrier for damage to freight. Appeal from the Circuit Court of Will County; the Hon. Dorrance Dibell, Judge, presiding.
Heard in this court at the May term, 1896.
Affirmed.
Opinion filed December 9, 1896.
Rehearing allowed and case reheard at the May term, 1897.
Affirmed.
Opinion on rehearing filed September 20, 1897.
George S. House, attorney for appellant.
• E. Heers, attorney for appellee.
A carrier may waive a provision in a shipping contract, that a claim for damage must be made in writing in five days, and be verified by affidavit, by receiving without objection, unsworn notice, and treating the claim as pending for adjustment upon its merits. Wabash R. R. Co. v. Brown, 152 Ill. 484.
A common carrier can not by express contract exempt itself from liability resulting from gross negligence, or willful misconduct committed by itself, or its servants or employes; nor can it limit its liability in amount, as against damages resulting from such negligence. Chicago & H. W. Ry. Co. v. Chapman, 133 Ill. 96; Wabash, St. L. & P. Ry. Co. v. Black, 11 Ill. App. 465; Chicago & N. W. Ry. v. Chapman, 30 Ill. App. 504.
An immaterial variance will not be fatal. Kidder v. Vandersloot, 114 Ill. 135.
General objection of variance between declaration and proof is not enough; it must be specific to show wherein it consists. Start v. Moran, 27 Ill. App. 119.
It is too late to object to a variance between the pleadings and proofs on appeal. Horne v. Walton, 117 Ill. 130; Schoonmalcer v. Doolittle, 118 Ill. 605; Dulin v. Prince, 124 Ill. 76; Wabash, etc., Ry. Co. v. Coble, 113 Ill. 115.
Such variance is nogronnd for reversal. City of Hattoon v. Fallin, 113 Ill. 249.
The objection of variance between allegation and proof is technical and not favored. Stearns v. Reidy, 135 Ill. 123.

Opinion:
Opinion per Curiam
on rehearing.
We have considered the case upon the rehearing granted after the original' opinion was filed and find no reason for changing the conclusion reached by the court at that time. The original opinion of the court, with a slight change pf expression in one particular will be adhered to, and the judgment of the Circuit Court will be affirmed..
Dibell, J., took no part.