Opinion ID: 1926663
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: In his findings the trial court stated:

Text: On the score of contributory negligence, even if the court ruled improperly in admitting testimony as to the installation of the new and longer hose, (it was brought out on cross-examination over objection of improper cross-examination), the plaintiff failed to meet the burden of proving freedom from contributory negligence. Even if defendant in driving out had turned too abruptly, he would not have caught a proper hose properly installed if the cement island had not been so narrow or had become so poorly elevated. This fact affirmatively appears from an examination of Exhibits 2 and 3. But, as stated, even though contributory negligence does not appear affirmatively, certainly the plaintiff failed to meet the burden of negativing it. That the hose became attached to the rear bumper is apparent and the plaintiff offered no testimony concerning the hose. The burden was, of course, upon plaintiff to plead and prove its freedom from contributory negligence. In Paulsen v. Haker, 250 Iowa 532, 545, 95 N.W.2d 47, 55, we said: The burden being upon plaintiffs (executors of decedent's estate) to establish her freedom from negligence contributing to the injuries suffered, in the absence of any evidence whatever upon the question of what she did or did not do, it must be held as a matter of law their case has failed in this respect. See also Plumb v. Minneapolis & St. L. Ry. Co., 249 Iowa 1187, 91 N.W.2d 380; Hutchinson v. Minneapolis & St. L. Ry. Co., 252 Iowa 228, 106 N.W.2d 419. This case is not reviewable de novo here but only on the errors assigned. Rule 334, Rules of Civil Procedure, 58 I.C.A.; Ruble v. Carr, 244 Iowa 990, 993, 59 N.W.2d 228, 230, and citations; Jones v. O'Bryon, Iowa, 116 N.W.2d 461, 465, and citations. The court's findings of fact have the effect of a jury verdict if there is substantial evidence to support them. Beardsley v. Hobbs, 239 Iowa 1332, 34 N.W.2d 916; Dahl v. Allen, 243 Iowa 808, 53 N.W.2d 759; In re Estate of Gollobit, 231 Iowa 1074, 1075, 3 N.W.2d 191, 192; Roth v. Headlee, 238 Iowa 1340, 1342, 29 N.W.2d 923, 924; Wunschel v. McKinney, 251 Iowa 881, 103 N.W.2d 81. In In re Estate of Gollobit, supra, this court said: Since the jury was waived the judgment of the district court has the effect of a verdict if there is substantial competent evidence to support it. In Roth v. Headlee, supra, we said: The action was tried at law without a jury. It is not reviewable here de novo but only upon the errors assigned.    The decision below on the facts has the force and effect of a jury verdict. Plaintiff's evidence establishes affirmatively that unless some precaution were taken the new 14 foot hose would be hanging from the pump in an S and down on the ground level of the station driveway. With this showing of knowledge by plaintiff nothing is shown as to what, if anything, plaintiff did to avoid having the hose protrude out into the path of vehicles using its driveway. Why the attendant was not called to describe the position of the hose when defendant drove in apparently must remain a mystery. We hold the trial court was well within the record in his ruling that plaintiff failed to meet its burden of negativing contributory negligence. Therefore plaintiff was not entitled to recover. Plaintiff's second assigned error is without merit. Our holding is decisive of this controversy. We find it unnecessary to determine plaintiff's first assigned error. The court's finding on the issue of plaintiff's freedom from contributory negligence is fatal to its right of recovery under either count. Affirmed.