Case Name: SWEENEY v. VACUUM OIL CO.
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1896-03-14
Citations: 38 N.Y.S. 96
Docket Number: 
Parties: SWEENEY v. VACUUM OIL CO.
Judges: 
Reporter: West's New York Supplement
Volume: 38
Pages: 96–102

Head Matter:
SWEENEY v. VACUUM OIL CO.
(Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Fourth Department.
March 14, 1896.)
Master and Servant—Fellow Servants.
Plaintiff, who was employed to work at an oil press in defendant’s oil Works, was taken by the superintendent from his regular work and put on the work of putting in a new oil tank. In the course of this work the ropes used in moving one of the old tanks became tangled, and the superintendent tried to distangle them by placing an iron pipe between them. Not succeeding, he left the pipe in its position, and directed plaintiff to go up a ladder and untwist the ropes, which he did. Plaintiff then descended, and by direction of plaintiff slackened a rope, and the iron pipe fell, and struck him on the head. Held, that plaintiff and the superintendent were fellow servants as to the acts of the superintendent resulting in the injury. Ward, J., dissenting.
Action by Patrick Sweeney against the Vacuum Oil Company for personal injuries caused by defendant’s negligence. There was a verdict directed by the court in favor of defendant, and plaintiff moves for a new trial on exceptions ordered to be heard at the general term in the first instance.
Denied.
Argued before HARDIN, P. J., and FOLLETT, ADAMS, and WARD, JJ.
J. H. Waring, for plaintiff.
W. F. Cogswell, for defendant.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
Held, that the negligence in this case, if any, was that of a co-employé, and therefore the nonsuit- was properly granted.