Case Name: Joseph Agnesini, Individually and as Guardian ad Litem of Louis Agnesini, an Infant, Appellants, v. Harry Olsen et al., Respondents
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1950-10-30
Citations: 277 A.D.2d 1006
Docket Number: 
Parties: Joseph Agnesini, Individually and as Guardian ad Litem of Louis Agnesini, an Infant, Appellants, v. Harry Olsen et al., Respondents.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 277
Pages: 1006–1007

Head Matter:
Joseph Agnesini, Individually and as Guardian ad Litem of Louis Agnesini, an Infant, Appellants, v. Harry Olsen et al., Respondents.

Opinion:
In a negligence action by an infant to recover damages for personal injuries, and by his father to recover for expenses and loss of services, judgment dismissing complaint as against both defendants in accordance with the granting of their motion at the close of plaintiffs' case, reversed on the law as to defendant Randi Olsen, without costs, and a new trial granted as to that defendant. Insofar as defendant Harry Olsen is concerned, the judgment is unanimously affirmed, without costs. The proof is sufficient to entitle a jury to find that the female defendant knew that her four-year-old son had started fires on three occasions, despite which she afforded him an opportunity to play with matches. In consequence, he started a fire which caused injury to plaintiff in his efforts, in response to the invitation of defendants, to aid in extinguishing it. (Kuchlik v. Feuer, 239 App. Div. 338; Steinberg v. Cauchois, 249 App. Div. 518; Phillips v. Barnett, 2 N. Y. City Ct. Rep. 20; Thibodeau v. Che ff, 24 Ont. L. Rep. 214; see 12 A. L. R. 812; 155 A. L. R. 85, and cases cited.) There is no proof that the male defendant was aware of the propensities of his son to play with matches and start fires. Nolan, P. J., Carswell, Johnston, Adel and Sneed, JJ., concur.