Case Name: Engel, Appellant, vs. T. L. Smith Company, Respondent
Court: Wisconsin Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Wisconsin
Decision Date: 1917-01-16
Citations: 164 Wis. 515
Docket Number: 
Parties: Engel, Appellant, vs. T. L. Smith Company, Respondent.
Judges: 
Reporter: Wisconsin Reports
Volume: 164
Pages: 515–525

Head Matter:
Engel, Appellant, vs. T. L. Smith Company, Respondent.
October 6, 1916
January 16, 1917.
Master and servant: Injury to employee of subcontractor: Safety of worJcing place: Possession and responsibility of principal contractor: Operations rendering place unsafe: Proximate cause: Changing findings of jury: Excessive damages for death.
1. In an action to recover for the death of an employee due to the fact that his working place was unsafe, if the defendant was in possession of and furnished the working place and it was unsafe at the start or was rendered so by defendant’s operations while the work of the employee was in progress, the defendant cannot escape liability on the ground that the immediate employer of the decedent was an independent contractor.
2. Defendant contracted to furnish the material and machinery and construct a rock-crushing plant for a county, and to give the county ten days after its completion to try it and determine whether it satisfied the agreement. Afterwards defendant sublet to one R. the furnishing of certain material and the erection of the plant ready for use, defendant to have ten days after such erection to determine whether the subcontract had been satisfactorily performed. When R.’s contract was substantially completed, defendant’s agent, with a committee of the county board and certain county employees, visited the plant to see whether it was ready for use, and if so to take charge of it. Upon starting certain machinery it was found that the hopper over the crusher was too low, and defendant’s agent engaged R. to make the necessary changes therein as extra work. Two days later the county employees who were present at the first test, and who had received certain instructions from defendant’s agent, visited the plant again and started the machinery, whereupon a guy cable slipped out of its clip, causing a mast to fall and fatally injure an employee of R. who was engaged in making the changes in the hopper. In an action for the death of such employee it is held, upon the evidence, that defendant took possession of the plant on the day the arrangement was made for the extra work; and it was therefore responsible for the safety of the working place of the deceased if, at the time of the accident, the machinery was being operated by its authority.
3. There being ample evidence to sustain findings by the jury that the working place of the deceased was not as safe as the nature of the employment would reasonably permit, that the machinery was started, at the time of the accident, by a county employee by direction of defendant’s agent, and that the agent had authority to give such direction, the trial court erred in changing the finding that the agent gave such direction and also in changing a finding that defendant’s failure to furnish a safe working place was the proximate cause of the accident.
4. Damages for the death of a person should be limited to the measure of pecuniary benefits which the surviving relative could reasonably have expected to realize from a continuation of the life of the deceased.
5. For the death of an unmarried son, thirty years old, who earned $1.50 per day and gave all but enough to cover his reasonable necessities to support the family, an award of $4,800 to his widowed mother, aged fifty-three, who was in good health and earning money and who had four other sons, ranging in age from five to eighteen, contributing to the family support, is held excessive, and plaintiff is given an option to take judgment for $3,500 or submit to a new trial.
Appeal from a judgment of tbe circuit court for Milwaukee county: W. B. QuiNLAN, Judge.
Reversed.
Action to recover for tbe death of plaintiff’s son, claimed to bave been caused by negligence of defendant.
Defendant, March 15, 1913, contracted, in writing, to construct for and deliver to Racine county, Wisconsin, at its gravel pit, a complete rock-crushing plant, furnishing all material and machinery therefor, and to afford ten days’ time after the completion thereof to try the apparatus and determine whether it satisfied the agreement; and to instruct the county’s engineer how to operate the same.
Defendant contracted with one, Rewald, to unload the machinery and material from cars, provided by the former in performing its agreement with the county, to furnish certain other material for use in constructing a bin, hopper tower, hopper, mast, and the necessary buildings for, and to erect the plant, ready for use, in all respects according to such agreement, and to afford defendant ten days’ time after such erection, to test the plant for the purpose of determining whether the subcontract had been satisfactorily performed.
In all transactions aforesaid, and in respect to performance of the contracts, defendant was represented by one, Marker, wbo prepared the plans and specifications for the work. When Rewald had executed his contract, except as to some small matters, Marker, with a committee of the county board, and three employees of the county, Heidermann, Winsall, and Bettzig, visited the plant for the purpose of seeing whether it was ready for use, and, if so, taking charge of it. The county board was anxious to put the plant to use as soon as practicable, and so, by its representatives, acted with defendant, represented by Marker, in starting that part of the machinery, designed to convey gravel from the gravel pit to the hopper over the crusher. There was a seventy-foot mast fastened in place by guy cables, anchored in the ground at the lower ends and fastened to the top of the mast at the upper ends by such ends being passed around a cap or through eyes and doubled back and embraced by clips. One guy was opposite a track cable, extending from the top of the mast over, and some distance above, the hopper, to the gravel pit and there anchored. The particular guy was designed to bear the strain caused by moving the bucket loaded with gravel on the track cable from the pit to a dumping point over the hopper. The hopper was located within reach of the mast in case of its falling that way. The bucket was suspended from a carriage which traveled on the track cable. The carriage, with the bucket, mentioned in the verdict as an “excavator,” attáched thereto, was designed to be moved from the gravel pit to the dumping point over the hopper on a track cable, by means of an operating cable, called in the verdict a “drag line,” attached to the bucket and extending to and over a pulley near the top of the mast, then down to and connected with a drum, located near the foot of the mast. The drum, by appropriate 'connections with motive power, was designed to be operated by an attendant, as desired, by manipulation of connecting levers. It was necessary to have what was called a trip button attached to the track cable at the proper point to cause the bucket to empty its load into the hopper upon reaching such point. The visit to the plant above mentioned was two days before tbe accident. Some finishing work was then being done by Rewald, but Ms contract was substantially completed. He had not formally turned the plant over to be tested. It was necessary to complete the job for operation to properly place the trip button. Whether it was placed at all at this time was disputed on the trial. If then attached, it was some distance from the hopper location and near the gravel pit. The machinery was started to see how the bucket would perform from the gravel pit to the proper dumping point. At the first movement it was discovered that the hopper was too low. No attempt was made to run the bucket to the dumping point. Upon making such discovery, operations were stopped. Marker then engaged Rewald to make the necessary changes in the hopper, as extra work. That consisted of changing its location, somewhat, and building it much higher. Two days thereafter, a second visit was made to the plant by Heidermann, Winsall, and Bettzig, representing the county. Heidermann claimed that on the previous occasion, Marker directed him to place the button and see that everything was ready for a test. Henry Engel, at the time of the second visit, as an employee of Rewald and by his direction, was working on top of the hopper, engaged in doing the work ordered, two days before. In the afternoon, Heidermann caused the button to be placed, and the machinery to be started up. The bucket had been moved on the track cable, empty, in the morning. On the particular occasion it was loaded. The button was placed by Bettzig and another, by Heidermann’s direction. The latter directed all operations. Bettzig was placed so as to give appropriate signals to Winsall, who was directed to operate the hoisting device. During the first movement of the bucket, the guy opposite the track cable slipped out of its clips, causing the mast to fall’ toward Engel’s working place and to strike and fatally injure him.
There was evidence establishing, or tending to establish, the matters mentioned; also that the guy cable was negligently secured, in that it was fastened by two clips while the specifications called for four, and more than two were required, and that the machinery was not properly operated.
The case was submitted to the jury for a special verdict which covered the issues made by the pleadings, so far as requested by the parties. Such other issues as there were, the trial court determined.
The jury found:
1. Defendant did not furnish deceased a place of employment as safe as the nature of the employment would reasonably permit.
2. Such failure was a proximate cause of the accident.
3. Marker directed Heidermann to run the drag-line excavator on the day of the accident.
4. Marker had authority to give such directions.
5. Defendant was guilty of negligence in constructing the plant.
6. Such negligence was a proximate cause of Engel’s death.
7. Winsall was not guilty of any negligence in operating the hoisting apparatus.
8. It will require $4,800 to compensate plaintiff for her loss, occasioned by Engel’s death.
Plaintiff’s counsel moved for judgment on the verdict, which was denied. On motion of counsel for defendant, findings 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 were reversed, leaving the verdict to stand, aside from the matter of damages, as follows: (1) Defendant did not furnish deceased a place of employment as safe as the nature of the employment would reasonably permit. (2) Such failure was not a proximate cause of the accident. (3) Marker did not direct Heidermann to run the drag-line excavator on the. day of the accident. (4) Marker bad authority to give such direction. (5) Defendant was not guilty of negligence in constructing the plant. (6) Negligence on the part of defendant in constructing the plant was not the proximate cause of Engel’s death. (7) Winsall was guilty of negligence in operating the hoisting apparatus.
On the verdict as so changed, judgment was rendered in favor of the defendant, the court deciding, in an opinion filed as a basis for the order changing the verdict, that Rewald was an independent contractor; that at the time of the accident the plant had not been turned over by Rewald; that the-instructions given by Marker to Ileidermann did not authorize him to start the engine or run the plant; that he only told him to fix the button and have everything in readiness; that Bettzig and Winsall were not employees of defendant; that what Marker meant, in his talk with Ileidermann, was that when the button was fixed and hopper completed, the defendant would test the plant and, if found satisfactory, accept it of Rewald; that the contract with Rewald relieved defendant from all Interference until it accepted the plant from him.
Eor the appellant there were briefs by Tibbs, Foster & Schroeder, attorneys, and Daniel W. Sullivan, of counsel, and oral argument by Mr. William, L. Tibbs and Mr. Sullivan.
Eor the respondent there was a brief by Miller, Mack & Fairchild, and oral argument by Arthur W. Fairchild.

Opinion:
The following opinion was filed October 24, 1916:
Marshall, J.
Errors are assigned on behalf of appellant because the court decided that the rock-crushing plant was in possession of Rewald at the time Engel was furnished his working place and at the time of the accident, and because answers given the jury were changed from being in favor of appellant so as to favor respondent.
Tbe first four findings as made by tbe jury entitled appellant to recover. In submitting tbe question as to wbetber respondent furnisbed Engel a place of employment as safe as tbe nature of tbe employment would reasonably permit, and instructing in respect thereto, as was done, that if tbe guy cable was negligently fastened to tbe mast, such question should be answered in tbe negative, and not submitting any question on tbe precise point of wbetber respondent was in possession of tbe plant when tbe working place was furnisbed, obviously, it was held that there was no question, on tbe evidence, but that such possession existed and respondent was responsible for tbe safety of such working place. It is significant that tbe answer to tbe first question was not changed. So tbe verdict as corrected to harmonize with tbe views of tbe court, on its face, is to the effect that respondent did not perform its duty of furnishing Engel a suitable working-place. So tbe court must have held, in tbe end, that tbe question was immaterial because tbe plant was not in possession of respondent when tbe working place was furnisbed or when tbe accident occurred. If it were in such possession, and furnisbed such place, and tbe place was not safe, within tbe rule of tbe statute, at tbe start, or was rendered so by its operations, while tbe work was in progress, it cannot escape liability upon tbe ground that tbe immediate employer of Engel was an independent contractor. Jacobs v. Hershey L. Co. 124 Wis. 54, 102 N. W. 319, and similar cases relied upon by counsel for respondent, do not apply to such a situation, as they clearly show.
Wbetber an immediate employer is a mere agent or an independent contractor, under tbe rule in question, is not always free from difficulty. Tbe question is one of law where tbe facts are clear. It is unnecessary to point out here, 'if that copld safely be done, tbe precise scope of the rule. It is sufficient to say that it does not include a situation such as existed in tbis case, if respondent was in possession of tbe working place when it was furnished, and it was then unsafe, or was subsequently rendered so by respondent's operations.
Tbe final decision, as to possession of tbe plant, as counsel for respondent- contends, must, under tbe statute, bave all tbe force of a jury finding, since it is a matter wbicb was not submitted to tbe jury, and there was no request in that regard. However, its dignity is somewhat lessened from that wbicb it would otherwise possess because of tbe fact that, when the case was submitted, tbe evidence was fresh in mind, and tbe court's attention was specially directed to tbe matter by an objection on behalf of respondent to submission of tbe first question, tbe conclusion was reached that tbe evidence so clearly showed possession of tbe plant in respondent as not to leave any issue in respect thereto for tbe jury.
In our judgment, from tbe record, tbe trial court was clearly right at first and clearly wrong in tbe end. It seems that tbe judge must bave overlooked tbe fact that Marker, who represented respondent, at no time testified that tbe latter did not take possession of tbe plant on tbe day be visited it and discovered that a change in tbe hopper was necessary; and confused tbe matter of possession by respondent with that of possession by Racine county. Marker testified, positively, that tbe plant bad not been turned over to tbe county at tbe time of tbe accident but not that it bad not been turned over to respondent.
Much is made on behalf of respondent of tbe fact that there were some trifling details of Rewald's contract wbicb were not completed at tbe time in question, and that tbe trip button was not in place until that was done by Heidermann, on tbe day of tbe accident. Who was to locate tbe trip button was dealt with on tbe argument as if that was a vital matter, but it seems otherwise. It was tbe merest kind of a detail which any one could attend to in a few moments, and Marker testified that "To place tbis button in position would be our duty, of course, to get tbe plant in complete operation, and not tbe duty of Eewald." Tbe evidence is very definite to tbe effect that there was nothing of consequence for Eewald to do when Marker, with a .committee of tbe county board, and tbe employees of the county, visited tbe plant two days before tbe accident. Marker testified that everything but changing tbe hopper bad been done. That is, that tbe contract made with Eewald to construct tbe plant was substantially completed when be was engaged to do tbe extra work of changing tbe hopper.
We will not spend time to discuss tbe evidence at length. It satisfies us that respondent, by its agent, Marker, took possession of tbe plant on tbe day tbe arrangement was made for tbe extra work and would then have turned tbe property over to tbe county bad it not developed that tbe plan for tbe hopper was defective. Therefore, in employing Eewald to change tbe hopper, and while that was being done, operating tbe drag-line excavator, respondent was responsible for safety of tbe working place in question. That it was not as safe as tbe nature of tbe employment would reasonably permit, there was ample evidence. That being tbe case, tbe court clearly erred in changing tbe answer to tbe question as to whether tbe failure to furnish a suitable working place was a proximate cause of the deceased's injury and death, unless Heider-mann was a mere interloper, instead of an agent of respondent by authority of Marker, in operating tbe drag-line excavator. That such authority existed was found by tbe jury, upon ample evidence, and tbe answer was not disturbed.
So tbe case really comes down to whether tbe court was clearly wrong in bolding that there was no evidence tending to prove that Marker directed Ileidermann to run tbe drag-line elevator. In our judgment that must be answered in favor of appellant. As we have said, Marker testified that it was respondent's business to place tbe button in proper position on tbe track cable. Ileidermann testified that Marker instructed him to do it and see that everything was ready for a final test. That was corroborated by Bettzig and was not really denied by Marker. The evidence, as a whole, convinces us that there was ample tending to show that, after Marker set Rewald and his employees to work to change the hopper, he left the plant in charge of Heidermann to look after it and do, or have done, whatever was necessary to get everything in shape for a final test and delivery of possession to the county, and, therefore, the finding of the jury on that subject should not have been changed.
It follows that appellant was entitled to recover on the verdict as rendered, but Ave are of the opinion that the damages assessed are far too large. That matter ivas not passed upon by the trial court. It was not necessary to do so; but, in sending the case back for further proceedings, it is considered that such matter should be déalt with.
The damages in such a case as this should be limited to the measure of pecuniary benefits which the surviving relative could reasonably have expected to realize from a continuation of the life of the deceased. That rule is too well understood to require citation of authority in respect to it, though it is not always kept in mind and the jury carefully instructed in regard thereto. The jury were quite fully instructed in this case, but do not seem to have comprehended that plaintiff's recovery should be limited as indicated, and the finding be based on evidence sustaining it to a reasonable certainty.
The deceased was thirty years old when killed. Plaintiff's husband survived him one year. Deceased was unmarried. Plaintiff was about fifty-three at the time of the accident. She is in good health and capable of, and does, earn money to, in part, support herself and family. She has four children, all sons, ranging from five to eighteen years of age. So far as their ages will permit, they show good disposition and capacity to aid her. The deceased earned $1.50 per day and all,-except sufficient to cover his reasonable necessities, cus tomarily went for support of the family. The amount found by the jury would be equivalent to an annuity of about $225 per year during appellant's expectancy of life. That she could not reasonably have expected that measure of support from her son, seems very clear.
In the judgment of the court, the recovery should be reduced to $3,500 and that such sum will satisfy the rule that, in disturbing a verdict upon the ground of its being excessive, by requiring the plaintiff to tahe a less sum, or submit to a new trial, the amount named should be as small as an unprejudiced jury on the evidence, when properly instructed, would probably find. For myself, I am permitted to say, in this opinion, that such rule, in my judgment, requires the sum named here to be considerably lower than $3,500, hut it is a matter in respect to which there may, easily, be differences of opinion.
By the Gourt. — The judgment is reversed, and the cause remanded with instructions to restore the answers made by the jury to the second, and third, questions, and to render judgment in favor of plaintiff for $3,500, and costs, if she elects to accept such recovery within thirty days after a return of the record to the court below, otherwise that there be a new trial.
A motion for a rehearing was denied, with $25 costs, on January 16, 1917.