Case Name: George Dion, pro ami., vs. Richmond Mfg. Co.
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1902-05-15
Citations: 24 R.I. 187
Docket Number: 
Parties: George Dion, pro ami., vs. Richmond Mfg. Co.
Judges: PRESENT : Stiness, C. J., Tillinghast and Rogers, JJ.
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 24
Pages: 187–199

Head Matter:
George Dion, pro ami., vs. Richmond Mfg. Co.
PROVIDENCE
MAY 15, 1902.
PRESENT : Stiness, C. J., Tillinghast and Rogers, JJ.
(1) • Negligence. Master and Servant. Illegal Contract. Minors.
In an action by an infant plaintiff against a master for negligence, the defendant will not he permitted to set up its yiolation of a statute, intended to protect the minor, as a defence to its own negligence in the service rendered hy the minor.
Trespass on the Case for negligence. Heard on demurrer to declaration, and demurrer overruled.
John W. Hogan, for plaintiff.
Walter B. Vincent, for defendant.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The court is of opinion that this case falls within the principle laid down by this court in Eagan v. Maguire, 21 R. I. 189; Baldwin v. Barney, 12 R. I. 392; and Blair v. Granger, 24 R. I. 17.
This is not a case to enforce an illegal contract, as was Birkett v. Chatterton, 13 R. I. 299, but. an action to recover for the defendant's negligence, which is a question independent of the violation of the statute.
It would be a startling doctrine to say that a defendant could set up his own violation of a statute, intended to protect children of tender years, as a defence to his own negligence in the service rendered by them.
The demurrer is overruled.
James M. Qillrain, for plaintiff.
Walter B. Vincent, for defendants.