Case Name: TAKACS v. FORD MOTOR CO.
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1931-06-01
Citations: 254 Mich. 537
Docket Number: Docket No. 38, Calendar No. 35,470
Parties: TAKACS v. FORD MOTOR CO.
Judges: Butzel, C. J., and Wiest, Clark, McDonald, Potter, Sharpe, and North, JJ., concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 254
Pages: 537–538

Head Matter:
TAKACS v. FORD MOTOR CO.
Master and Servant — Negligence—Evidence—Declarations— Hearsay — Directed Verdict.
In action against employer for negligent death, of plaintiff’s decedent, claimed to have been caused by gas inhaled when he opened furnace door, testimony as to decedent’s declarations that he had inhaled gas and that it had made him sick) no part of res gestee, was incompetent as hearsay, and in absence of competent evidence verdict was properly directed for defendant.
Error to Wayne; Webster (Clyde I.), J.
Submitted April 9, 1931.
(Docket No. 38, Calendar No. 35,470.)
Decided June 1, 1931.
Rehearing denied September 10, 1931.
Case by Julia Takacs, special administratrix of the estate of Stephen Takacs, deceased, against the Ford Motor Company, a Delaware corporation, for negligent injuries resulting in the death of plaintiff’s decedent. Directed verdict and judgment for defendant. Plaintiff brings error.
Affirmed.
Joseph Fabian, for plaintiff.
Longley & Middleton, for defendant.

Opinion:
Fead, J.
The action is for damages for negligent injuries resulting in the death of Stephen Takacs while an employee of the defendant. Decedent's work was at a furnace. It is claimed that when he opened the door of the furnace gas came out, he inhaled it, it caused him discomfort and illness over a considerable period of time, and finally resulted in his death. Claim for workmen's compensation was made, hut denied by the department of labor and industry for lack of proof of accidental injury in the employment.
There was evidence that on one occasion a "gas and smoke smell" came out of the furnace while decedent was taking iron out of it. The only testimony offered that he had inhaled gas and it had made him sick was that of his own declarations, no part of the res gestee, and, therefore, incompetent as hearsay.
The medical evidence was that the cause of death was cerebral hemorrhage. There was no testimony that death was caused by the inhalation of gas nor that the furnace was negligently constructed, equipped, or operated.
The court properly directed the verdict and entered judgment for defendant. Affirmed.
Butzel, C. J., and Wiest, Clark, McDonald, Potter, Sharpe, and North, JJ., concurred.