Opinion ID: 459880
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficient Evidence of Negligence

Text: 10 The defendants' other contention is that the district court should have entered a directed verdict or a judgment notwithstanding the verdict on the ground that Franks failed to present sufficient evidence of negligence to create a jury question. Under Alabama law, a plaintiff seeking to prevail on a claim of negligence must prove the existence of four elements: a legal duty on the part of the defendant, breach of that duty, proximate cause, and resulting injury. Jones v. Newton, 454 So.2d 1345, 1348 (Ala.1984). The defendants argue that Franks failed to prove breach of duty and proximate cause. 4 We disagree. 11 The defendants' position is essentially based on the argument that they followed normal operating procedures which had never before resulted in injury. They argue that this safety record shows not only that they acted reasonably and fulfilled their duty of care, but also that Franks' injury was not foreseeable and therefore not proximately caused by their actions. We agree that the evidence presented by Franks on the issue of breach of duty is less than compelling. Both breach of duty and proximate cause, however, are issues of fact normally within the province of the jury. The jury could have reasonably found that because the defendants were aware that heat stress was a serious hazard for workers dressed in heavy protective clothing, they also knew or should have known that heat stress could lead to consequences more severe than the usual short period of illness. We concur in the district court's conclusion that the evidence does not point so strongly and overwhelmingly in favor of the defendants, Boeing Co. v. Shipman, 411 F.2d 365, 374 (5th Cir.1969) (en banc), as to justify overturning the jury's verdict. 12 AFFIRMED.