Case Name: Thomas Gunn vs. Union Railroad Company
Court: Supreme Court of Rhode Island
Jurisdiction: Rhode Island
Decision Date: 1900-12-28
Citations: 22 R.I. 321
Docket Number: 
Parties: Thomas Gunn vs. Union Railroad Company.
Judges: Present : Stiness, C. J., Tillinghast and Douglas, JJ.
Reporter: Rhode Island Reports
Volume: 22
Pages: 321–321

Head Matter:
Thomas Gunn vs. Union Railroad Company.
PROVIDENCE
DECEMBER 28, 1900.
Present : Stiness, C. J., Tillinghast and Douglas, JJ.
(1) Negligence. Due Gave. Street Railways,.
While the presence of a coal-wagon on a street drawn up close to the curbstone imposes upon the motorman of an electric car the duty of proceeding with caution, he is not bound to anticipate and provide for the action of the plaintiff (an employee assisting in unloading the wagon) in suddenly stepping backwards toward the track.
Trespass on the Case for negligence. The plaintiff was an employee engaged in unloading a coal-cart which was drawn up close to the curb-stone on the street along which the defendant’s cars ran. Further facts sufficiently appear in the opinion.
Heard on petition of defendant for a new trial, and new trial granted.
Charles E. Gorman, for plaintiff.
Davicl S. Baker, for defendant.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
The great preponderance of the evidence shows that the accident was occasioned by the plaintiff suddenly backing out towards the track so that the car, which was proceeding at moderate speed, could not have been stopped in time to avoid him.
There is no evidence that the motorman was guilty of any neglect of duty.
While the presence of the coal-wagon on the street imposed upon the motorman the duty to proceed with caution, we do not think he was bound to anticipate and provide for the action of the plaintiff in suddenly stepping backwards toward the track.
Petition for new trial granted.