Case Name: Edward Chapman, Resp't, v. Atlantic Avenue Railroad Company, App'lt
Court: Brooklyn City Court
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1895-11-25
Citations: 70 N.Y. St. Rep. 753
Docket Number: 
Parties: Edward Chapman, Resp’t, v. Atlantic Avenue Railroad Company, App’lt.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York State Reporter
Volume: 70
Pages: 753–754

Head Matter:
Edward Chapman, Resp’t, v. Atlantic Avenue Railroad Company, App’lt.
(Brooklyn City Court, General Term,
Filed November 25, 1895.)
1. Street railroads—Rights.
Where a truck driver is driving across the tracks of a street railway, on an intersecting street, the right of way is equal between the parties.
Si Damages—-Personal injuries.
In an action for personal injuries, the plaintiff is entitled to compensation for loss of wages during the time he cannot work, for all pain and suffering which are the result of the injury, and for permanent injury,
3. Same—Excessive.
A verdict for $15,000, for personal injuries was held, in this case, to be excessive.
Appeal from a judgment entered on a verdict in favor of plaintiff, and from an order denying a motion for a new trial.
Morris & Whitehouse, for a-pp’lt; Ghas. J. Patterson, for resp’t.

Opinion:
Clement, C. J.
We áre of the opinion that the question as to the contributory negligence of the.plaintiff, and the other question as to the negligence of the motorman in the employ of the defendant, were properly submitted to the jury. The railroad company did not have the paramount right of way, as would be the case if the truck had been driving in the street on which the tracks of the defendant were laid. The plaintiff was driving across the tracks, on an intersecting street, and the right of way was equal between the parties. O'Neil v. D. D., E. B. & B. Railroad Co., 129 N. Y. 125; 41 St. Rep. 107; Buhrens v. D. D. E. B. & B. Railroad Co., 25 St. Rep. 191; affirmed, 125 N. Y. 702.
We have carefully considered the testimony in the case bearing on the question of damages, and conclude that the verdict for $15,000 was excessive. The plaintiff was earning, at the time of his injury, $12 per week, and was confined in the hospital, by reason of his injury, for a period of about a year. During a portion of the time he suffered pain, and for his loss of time while in the hospital, and for his'suffering, he is entitled to just compensation. His permanent injuries,' for which he is also entitled to-compensation, are as follows: The fleshy part of the calf of the right leg is two inches larger in circumference than the other, the veins are in a varicose condition, there are three scars, and the leg is so impaired by the varicose veins that he cannot do hard or heavy work. He can walk and use his leg, but, if he engaged in' hard work, his leg might be further injured. The only permanent injury which is seriously to be considered is the varicose veins. It is a well-known fact that many persons are so afflicted, and that, such a condition impairs-the use of a limb for long walks, or, perhaps, heavy work; but, with care and proper appliances, such an injury does not deprive the person of the use of the leg for nearly - all- practical purposes. As said before, the plaintiff was entitled to compensation for loss of wages during the time he could not. work, for all pain and suffering, the result of the injury, and for the permanent impairment" of the use of his leg. The sum of $15,000 seems to us grossly excessive, in view of the injuries sustained by plaintiff, and we conclude that the verdict should be reduced to the sum of $8,000.
Judgment and order denying new 'trial reversed, and a new trial granted, costs to abide the event, unless plaintiff consents to reduce the verdict to $8,000, and the allowance of five per cent, on that amount, in which case the judgment and order denying new trial should be affirmed, without costs.
Yah Wyck, J,, concurs.