Opinion ID: 1690675
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: propriety of contributory/comparative negligence instruction.

Text: We reach Frey's next contention only to provide guidance to the trial court upon retrial of this matter. The trial court correctly instructed the jury contributory/comparative negligence was no defense to an intentional tort. The trial court then instructed the jury on contributory/comparative negligence as it applied to Frey's negligence cause of action. Frey argues the court erred because there was no evidence to support a contributory negligence instruction. We agree. A trial court is to present only those issues to the jury by way of instruction which find support by competent evidence in the record. Gerlach v. Ethan Coop. Lumber Ass'n., 478 N.W.2d 828, 830 (S.D.1991); Schelske, 465 N.W.2d at 190; Hills of Rest Memorial Park v. Witte, 427 N.W.2d 848, 851 (S.D.1988); State v. Weisenstein, 367 N.W.2d 201, 206 (S.D.1985); Frazier v. Norton, 334 N.W.2d 865, 869 (S.D.1983). Frey correctly identifies the definition of contributory negligence and what has been referred to as the Right to Assume Doctrine. We set out both in Williams Ins. v. DeeBee Contracting Co., 358 N.W.2d 231, 232 (S.D.1984): `Contributory negligence is conduct for which plaintiff is responsible, amounting to a breach of duty which the law imposes upon persons to protect themselves from injury, and which, concurring and cooperating with actionable negligence for which defendant is responsible, contributes to the injury complained of as a proximate cause.' Starnes v. Stofferahn, 83 S.D. 424, 432, 160 N.W.2d 421, 426 (1968). `In the absence of knowledge to the contrary, one who is conducting himself in accordance with standards of ordinary care may assume that he is not to be exposed to harm from a breach of duty which others owe to avoid injury to him.' Rikansrud v. City of Canton, 79 S.D. 592, 607-08, 116 N.W.2d 234, 242 (1962). Frey and Kouf had argued and exchanged verbal abuse on previous occasions with no resulting physical encounters. Several witnesses testified there was no indication any physical altercation was about to take place. Kouf himself testified Frey did not, at any time, threaten him with physical harm. Kouf is entitled to no better version of the facts than that to which he testified. See Trammell v. Prairie States Ins. Co., 473 N.W.2d 460, 463 (S.D.1991); Waddell v. Dewey Cty. Bank, 471 N.W.2d 591, 595 n. 3 (S.D.1991); Heer v. State, 432 N.W.2d 559, 567 (S.D.1988) (citing cases); Drier v. Perfection, Inc., 259 N.W.2d 496, 508 (S.D.1977). [T]he duty to exercise ordinary care to avoid the consequences of another's negligence does not arise until the negligence is apparent or the circumstances are such that an ordinarily prudent person would apprehend its existence. 65A C.J.S. Negligence § 119, at 49 (1966). In other words, failure to look out for danger when there is no reason to apprehend any is not contributory negligence. Johnson v. Chicago & N.W. Ry. Co., 71 S.D. 132, 22 N.W.2d 725, 730 (1946); Wiggins v. Pay's Art Store, 47 S.D. 443, 199 N.W. 122, 124 (1924). See also Berg v. Sukup Mfg. Co., 355 N.W.2d 833, 835 (S.D.1984) (reasonableness of plaintiff's conduct refers to whether plaintiff had a reasonable opportunity to elect whether or not to subject himself to danger); Miller v. Baken Park, Inc., 84 S.D. 624, 175 N.W.2d 605, 610-11, modified on other grounds, 85 S.D. 133, 178 N.W.2d 560 (1970). Frey had no reason to anticipate Kouf's irrational act. For these reasons, the trial court should not have instructed on contributory/comparative negligence. Cf Frazier, 334 N.W.2d at 869-70 (evidence presented that plaintiff engaged in rough game). Because the trial court gave an erroneous jury instruction which prejudiced Frey's case, we reverse and remand for a new trial. MILLER, C.J., and, HENDERSON, SABERS and AMUNDSON, JJ., concur.