Court Opinion

ID: 9639985
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 16:54:32.6894+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:10:24.634204
License: Public Domain

HOLMES, Circuit Judge
(dissenting).
My failure to concur in the opinion of the majority is due to the fact that too many questions have been decided therein which I think should be left to the jury upon another trial. I think the court below did not err in refusing to direct a verdict for the defendant. There are two grounds that might warrant re-submission of this case to a jury: first, whether in the absence of warning the work at night, without adequate lighting, was inherently dangerous; second, whether the defendant interfered with the independent contractor by giving orders as to the details of carrying on the work, especially by directing that the work be continued at night until the car was unloaded. 27 Am.Jur., Sec. 31 p. 510.
Because the plaintiff had worked eight hours before being injured did not, in my opinion, excuse the original negligence, if any, of the defendant. A workman engrossed upon his task may be slower to realize his peril than if he had been forewarned. He was at least entitled to the warning in advance, so that he could determine for himself whether he would undertake the dangerous work. The questions of inherent danger, failure to warn, intermeddling or interference, assumption of risk, contributory negligence, and other controverted issues upon this record, are peculiarly for the jury.