Opinion ID: 1839783
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: By instruction 22 the jury was, in material part, told:

Text: Because of the numerous claims and defenses involved in this case, the court will require you to return a special verdict. A special verdict consists of findings on the issues of fact involved in the case. Your verdict will be in the form of answers to interrogatories propounded to you by the court and findings as to amount of damages. From your answers and findings the court will enter the appropriate judgment. See generally Iowa R.Civ.P. 205, 206; Dezsi v. Mutual Benefit Health & Accident Ass'n, 255 Iowa 1027, 1037, 125 N.W.2d 219; Johnson v. Mutual Life Ins. Co., 253 Iowa 1218, 1231-1232, 115 N.W.2d 825; Hiller v. Lenz, 253 Iowa 64, 66, 111 N.W.2d 278; Ipsen v. Ruess, 241 Iowa 730, 737, 41 N.W.2d 658; Sparks v. Long, 234 Iowa 21, 26, 11 N.W.2d 716; 38 F.R.D. 199-301; 53 Am.Jur., Trial, §§ 1063-1093; 89 C.J.S. Trial §§ 526-573; 52 Kentucky L.J. 852; 35 Yale L.J. 296; Annots. 6 A.L.R.3d 438, 91 A.L.R.2d 776; 90 A.L.R.2d 1040. Then over Berhow's generalized objections, neither raised nor argued as a basis for reversal on this appeal, these instantly relevant interrogatories were submitted and answered by the jury as shown: (C) Was Berhow negligent in any of the particulars as alleged in Instructions 1, 2 and 3 and as explained in these Instructions? Answer: YES (D) If your answer to (C) is `yes', then, was Berhow's negligence either the sole or a concurring proximate cause of the collision? Answer: NO (E) Was Jensvold negligent in any of the particulars as alleged in Instruction 2? Answer: YES (F) If your answer to (E) is `yes', then, was Jensvold's negligence either the sole or concurring proximate cause of the collision? Answer: YES As heretofore stated the jury found Berhow entitled to damages from Jensvold. Judgment was accordingly entered. Thereafter Jensvold, absent any objection by Berhow, moved for judgment N.O.V. In sustaining same trial court held: The jury found that the plaintiff Berhow was negligent in operating the tractor without a rear red light in violation of statute. This was the only specification of negligence submitted against Berhow. The finding is fully supported by uncontradicted evidence. There was no evidence or claim of legal excuse for the violation of statute. The jury found that Jensvold, Inc. was negligent either (1) in leasing the tractor without a workable rear red light, or (2) in permitting Berhow to drive upon a public highway when lights were required without apprising him that the tractor was not equipped with a workable rear red light. These were the only specifications submitted against Jensvold, Inc. There was sufficient evidence to support a finding of negligence on the part of Jensvold, Inc. as to either or both of these specifications. The lack or absence of a proper rear red light is essential to and inherent in a finding of negligence against Berhow and a finding of negligence against Jensvold, Inc. under either specification. The jury found that the negligence of Berhow was not a proximate cause of the collision, but that the negligence of Jensvold, Inc. was a proximate cause. Since the basic element of the negligence of both Berhow and Jensvold, Inc. was the lack of a proper rear red light, the findings on proximate cause are inconsistent. The court is aware that the question of proximate cause is generally for the jury, but this rule is not applicable here. The jury could have found under the evidence that the negligence of both was a proximate cause or that the negligence of neither was a proximate cause, but findings that one was and the other was not are inconsistent and irrational. While the court did not so instruct, it is the opinion of the court that Berhow's negligence in violation of statute was established as a matter of law in the absence of any claim or evidence of legal excuse. In effect, Berhow acknowledged operating without a rear red light in order to establish his claim of negligence against Jensvold, Inc. With Berhow's negligence established as a matter of law and the jury's findings on causation limited to findings either that the negligence of both was a proximate cause or the negligence of neither was a proximate cause, it appears that as a matter of law plaintiff could not recover either because of failure of his case against Jensvold, Inc. or because of his own contributory negligence. If Berhow established a case against Jensvold, Inc., it necessarily involved establishing his own contributory negligence. There is to us no alternative but to here adopt trial court's reasoning, supra. X. Berhow has at no time challenged the propriety of a judgment N.O.V., or trial court's power and authority, under existing circumstances, to grant same. See Iowa R.Civ.P. 206. Rather he here contends entry of that judgment was instantly erroneous for two other separate and distinct reasons. His initial claim is trial court erred in substituting its finding as to proximate cause for that of the jury by answer to special interrogatories. In this regard he maintains proximate cause is a question of fact for jury determination, not one of law for the court. Mindful of our holdings, supra, we find this contention instantly unconvincing. While generally the question of proximate cause is for the jury, in exceptional cases it becomes one of law to be determined by the court. Iowa R.Civ.P. 344 (f)(10); e. g., Andrews v. Struble, 178 N.W.2d 391, 398 (Iowa). In this respect we have held, where the facts are so clear and undisputed, and relation of cause and effect so apparent to every candid mind that but one conclusion may be fairly drawn therefrom, the question of proximate cause becomes one of law. E. g., Boegel v. Morse, 251 Iowa 1253, 1256, 104 N.W.2d 826; Noble v. Edberg, 250 Iowa 1331, 1335, 98 N.W.2d 741; Dunham v. Des Moines Railway Co., 240 Iowa 421, 427, 35 N.W.2d 578. Alternatively Berhow asserts, even though negligent himself, and such was a proximate cause of the collision, he is still entitled to recovery. His argument in this regard is, in essence, while contributory negligence concededly bars recovery in a tort action, such rule of law does not apply to an action predicated on breach of contract. See 17A C.J.S. Contracts § 525(1), at 1018; Annot. 68 A.L.R.2d 850, at 867. Having already determined Berhow's action stands entirely in tort there is no need to again discuss this issue.