Case Name: James E. Dwyer, by Guardian, Resp't, v. Peter Hickler et al., App'lts
Court: Buffalo Superior Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1891-12-30
Citations: 43 N.Y. St. Rep. 221
Docket Number: 
Parties: James E. Dwyer, by Guardian, Resp’t, v. Peter Hickler et al., App’lts.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 43
Pages: 221–223

Head Matter:
James E. Dwyer, by Guardian, Resp’t, v. Peter Hickler et al., App’lts.
(Superior Court of Buffalo, General Term,
Filed December 30, 1891.)
Master and servant—Negligence.
Plaintiff, a youth nineteen years old, was employed by defendants to carry mortar and brick which he dumped in a trench for the bricklayers, who were building a sewer. While engaged in this work he was injured by the giving way of the sides of the trench, his leg being broken. He was •confined to his house for six weeks, but after five months went about his work as usual. Defendants had furnished competent workmen and materials for bracing, and there was some evidence that one of them had passed over the sewer shortly before the accident to see that the work was done right. In an action for such injuries the jury rendered a verdict for $2,500. Held, that the judgment thereon should be reversed.
Appeal from a judgment in favor of plaintiff, entered upon "the verdict of a jury, and from an order denying a motion for a .new trial made upon the minutes of the court
Giles E. Stilwell, for app’lts ; Charles F. Whiteher, for resp’t.

Opinion:
Hatch, J.
The action is to recover damages for the negligent construction of a sewer whereby plaintiff was injured. The particular defect relied upon to constitute negligence, and create liability, is the failure to provide a safe and secure place for the plaintiff to prosecute his work. This failure is claimed to consist in negligently omitting to secure the sides of the trench with sufficient braces, whereby some of the soil became loosened, fell •out of its place, and striking plaintiff, broke his leg. The general rule of law is that a master is bound, in the first instance, to furnish-for his servant a reasonably safe and secure place for the prosecution of his labor. Has that duty been discharged in this case ? The opening of the trench and supporting the same was prosecuted by men engaged in different branches of the work, but all tending to a common end. Some dug out the earth and filled the buckets, some placed the ranges, braces and sheathing to support the sides as the earth was removed, and finally the plaintiff dumped the brick and mortar in the completed trench, while the bricklayers built up the sewer which the trench was to contain. The negligence of defendants, if there be any, consists in the failure to sufficiently brace the sides of the trench at the place where the dirt fell out. The duty of protecting the sides of the trench • rested upon one Forge, who was foreman of the bracing gang." The proof showed, indeed it is not contended against, that Forge was.a skillful person, acquainted with his. duties, and in all respects competent to perform them ; thus the master discharged the obligation resting upon him of furnishing a competent co-servant for this branch of the work. Hofnagle v. N. Y. C. & H. R. R. R. Co., 55 N. Y., 608.
It also appears, without dispute, that there was furnished an abundance of material, braces, ranges and sheathing, which, if used, would have properly protected the sides of the trench. The master thus discharged this obligation. Ford v. L. S. & M. S. R. Co., 27 St. Rep., 246.
The cause of the accident, therefore, does not rest upon any failure of defendants to provide a safe place for plaintiff to perform his labor. On the contrary, it is the result of a failure of competent servants to make use of proper materials, furnished by defendant, to make the trench safe, but this is the negligence not of defendants, but of the co-servants, and for that defendants are-not liable. Hogan v. Smith, 125 N. Y., 774; 35 St. Rep., 870; Loughlin v. State, 105 N. Y., 159; 6 St. Rep., 826; Cullen v. Norton, 126 N. Y., 1; 36 St. Rep., 359.
It is suggested by the learned chief judge that one of the defendants was actively engaged in overseeing the work as it progressed, and consequently he was personally chargeable with knowledge of the condition, and was bound to know of the defect The testimony is to the effect that he appointed Forge foreman of the bracing, and furnished necessary materials to be used for that purpose; that he passed over the sewer to see that the work was properly done. I am of opinion that this does not change the result, for when he had furnished everything necessary to secure safety, and given directions how the work should be-done, he had discharged his duty, and the omission was the failure of the servants to discharge the duty resting upon them.. Zeigler v. Day, 123 Mass., 152; Floyd v. Sugden, 134 id., 563; Quincy Mining Co. v. Kitts, 42 Mich., 34.
I have found no case going so far as to hold that a master, who-is generally overseeing the work, and who has furnished competent servants and sufficiency of material, and given necessary instructions, is bound at his peril to see that the work is properly done and his instructions followed out.
It is far from being conclusively shown how the accident occurred. It is nearly, if not quite, as strong, that the dirt was. loosened by the necessary construction of the brick work in the trench, and the consequent disturbance of the sheathing boards, as that it happened from lack of braces. Perhaps there was. enough upon this point to submit to the jury. But, upon grounds-already indicated, I am of opinion that the judgment and order should be reversed and a new trial ordered, costs to abide the-event.