Court Opinion

ID: 9808091
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 20:27:34.26095+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:08:56.288291
License: Public Domain

BabNhill, J.,
dissenting:
There are three reasons why I cannot concur in tbe majority opinion of tbe Court in this case.
1. In carrying tbe new crossties from tbe place where they were piled to tbe point where they were to be used in replacing old crossties, tbe plaintiff and bis fellow servants who were carrying tbe crossties, could have crossed tbe track at tbe point where tbe new crossties were piled and then proceeded up' tbe east side of tbe track to tbe point where they were to be used. Instead, they walked up tbe west side of tbe track and crossed at tbe point where tbe rails were jacked up. Tbe plaintiff bad the choice of two ways. Instead of taking tbe one tbat was safe be followed tbe way tbat involved danger.
2. Tbe section crew at tbe time of this accident was engaged in repairing tbe defendant’s railroad track by removing old crossties and replacing them with new ones. Tbe usual and customary manner in which this work is done is to jack up tbe rail. This is a necessary part of tbe work. Any danger connected therewith is naturally incident to tbe employment and tbe employee assumes all danger which is naturally incident to tbe work be is employed to do.
3. There is no evidence of negligence. Tbe only evidence with respect thereto is tbe statement of tbe plaintiff to tbe effect tbat “tbe jack was not under it right.” He testified tbat be did not help put the jack under tbe rail and be does not testify tbat be saw it after the rail was jacked up. His statement is a conclusion, pure and simple. Was tbe bead of tbe jack only partially under tbe rail in such manner tbat it would slip off? As to this, no witness speaks. Was tbe base of tbe jack placed upon an insecure foundation, so tbat it slipped and caused tbe rail to fall? As to this, tbe record is silent. Did some other employee strike tbe handle of tbe jack and cause it to fall? We are not told. Was the catch on tbe jack defective or insecurely fixed, by reason of which tbe rail fell? No witness undertakes to say. For tbe jury to find tbat tbe defendant was negligent, upon the evidence in this record, it would have to enter tbe field of surmise and conjecture. If tbe plaintiff did not know and does not undertake to tell us in what respect “tbe jack was not under it right,” bow could tbe jury tell, and bow are we to say tbat bis conclusion is correct ?
In my opinion tbe judgment of nonsuit entered in tbe court below should be sustained.
WinboRne, J., concurs in dissent.