Court Opinion

ID: 9833443
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 22:43:36.213204+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:44:02.934096
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing.
Appellant contends that the answer to issue No. 2, to the effect that the floor was in a slippery condition due to all causes, is a general finding, while the answer to issue No. 6 to the effect that the floor was in a slippery condition due to the water on the floor, is a special finding; that therefore the general finding should be disregarded and judgment based upon the special finding.
The rule that a special finding is to be given effect over a general finding is well established. Bragg v. Hughes, Tex.Civ.App., 53 S.W.2d 151; Howard v. Howard, Tex.Civ.App., 102 S.W.2d 473; Sproles v. Rosen, 126 Tex. 51, 84 S.W.2d 1001; 64 Corpus Juris, p. 1176; 41 Tex.Jur. p. 1225; Peeler v. Smith, Tex.Civ.App., 18 S.W.2d 938; St. Louis, S. W. Ry. v. Miller & White, Tex.Civ.App., 176 S.W. 830; Greaber v. Coca Cola Bottling Works, Tex.Civ. App., 98 S.W.2d 1028.
However, we conclude that the real conflict herein is between the jury’s answer to issue No. 4 and issue No. 8. In answer to issue No. 4 the jury found that appellant was not guilty in maintaining the floor in a slippery condition, and in answer to issue No. 8, they found, in effect, that the appellant was guilty of negligence in maintaining the floor in a slippery condition due to water on the floor. Under the evidence it is impossible for the jury to segregate the slippiness caused by water and that caused by other substances. Thus the jury’s answer to issue No. 4 is exactly contrary to their answer to issue No. 8. They find by their answers to issues Nos. 2 to 4, that the floor was maintained in a slippery condition, but that such was not negligence, and by their answers to issues Nos. 6 to 8, that the floor was maintained in a slippery condition and that such was negligence. These findings are diametrically opposed to each other and one destroys the other, hence there can be no judgment based thereon.
Appellee’s motion for a rehearing is overruled. Appellant’s motion for a rehearing is also overruled.