Court Opinion

ID: 6658924
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-07-20 21:00:05.834318+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:00:04.655425
License: Public Domain

Letton, J.
In June, 1906, the plaintiff, who was a track-laborer or section-hand in the employ of the defendant railway company, was engaged in the work of substituting new rails for old upon the west side of the main-line track of the railway extending between Omaha and Gibson. The work was under the general direction of one Ibson, who was road-master for that division, under whom were three section foremen, Olson, who is one of the defendants, Peters and Shimonek. The gangs ordinarily working under each foreman were assembled and worked together under the immediate direction of the three foremen and Ibson. Traffic had been stopped upon that section of track for the purpose of allowing the rails to be changed. The men began work at the Omaha end, and proceeded to draw the spikes upon the inside of the west rail going south until they readied Gibson, when they walked back toward the point of beginning for the purpose of moving the rails. Immediately before the accident Olson, with a helper, had cut the bolts from the angle-bars holding the north end of the first rail to be changed. The rail, ap*810parently on account of heat, had expanded so that its end Avas tightly Avedged against tlie end of the next rail to the north. This point Avas near the end of a bridge, and there Avere guard-rails about a foot inside of the main rails opposite the joint. Olson struck the end of the rail with a maul or sledge-hammer two or three times endeavoring to drive it in, but failed to loosen it. Ibson was standing Avithin a few feet from him at this time, both standing on the outside of the rail. So far the evidence is undisputed. Just at this moment the plaintiff came from the south where he had been pulling spikes. He states that a number of men were on the outside trying to push the rail out,' and that, when he reached a point about the center of the rail Avhich Olson had been trying to loosen, he heard Ibson say: “Hurry up, get this rail out,” and that Olson said, “Some one get in and lift it up inside.” That he immediately jumped inside, put a crowbar he was carrying under the rail, and just as he put his bar down the rail sprang in his direction, knocking him down and inflicting serious and permanent injuries. Another Avitness, named Fronk, testified that he came upon the scene about the time that Olson was cutting the bolts to the angle-bars; that after this Ibson said, “Throw her out, boys,” and that some one, either Olson or Ibson, called out, “Some one get in there and lift or pry it out”; that Rathjen stepped inside to pry it out; that he took his bar and tapped the rail, and, as he tapped it, it fleAv out. On the other hand, Olson and Ibson both deny ordering any one to go inside. They testify that, Avhen they found the rail was wedged, Olson told one Simpson, who Avas helping him to cut the bolts, to go to the next joint south and pry or push the rails in at that point. Olson says that, as Simpson started to the joint, Rathjen stepped inside, with his claAvbar resting on the guard-rail pointed toAvard the west rail; that he told him to keep his bar out of there, “but just about the time I said, ‘Look out for the bar there,’ I seen the rail Avas moving and I jumped up, but came down too *811quick.” He was struck on the foot by the springing rail, bruising his instep, and breaking his toe. ' Ibson also testified that Olson or one of his men tried to knock the rail in with the sledge, and that he, Ibson, said, “Get some one with a bar to go to the joint ahead and shove it in, and it will come out here”; that he then stepped between the two guard-rails, and almost immediately was struck across both feet with the rail springing over the guardrail. He did not hear Olson tell Eatlijen “to get the bar out of there,” nor hear Olson give any other orders than to the man to go up and shove the rail in. Both he and Olson testify that the guard-rail would have prevented the springing rail from striking them if Eathjen’s bar had not been there for the rail to slide upon over the guard-rail. Ibson says: “If there was no bar in here it would be impossible for the rail to get over this guardrail, as it would hit the guard-rail, but with a bar in here I would not have stood there for all the Burlington road.” The testimony clearly shows that when a rail becomes tightly wedged against another by reason of expansion, whether caused by heat or other causes, it is apt to spring a distance of from a few inches to four or five feet when released. It is shown that both Olson and Ibson were aware of the danger from springing rails, and knew that this rail was wedged; while Eatlijen testifies that he did not see the joint, and was not aware that this rail was wedged, but thought it might have been imbedded in the ties or held by a broken spike. The jury found for the plaintiff against both defendants.
The defendants first contend “that there is no evidence that by reason of intense heat the rail had expanded, and had become tightly wedged.” It seems to us that one cannot read the testimony of Ibson and Olson and reach the conclusion that the rail was not expanded. Olson says that the rail was tight on account of the trains running in one direction and on account of the heat, and that he struck the end rail two or three times after the bolts were cut with a big iron sledge-hammer, but did *812not get it loose from the other rail; while Tbson testifies that he knew that, if the rail was compressed at the north end, when it was released it was liable to jump, and that it would be dangerous for any one to stand inside when the rail was released from pressure.
It is next contended that the accident “was one of those unusual and unexpected events which occasionally take place and which cannot be foreseen.” As to this point, we think the testimony of the defendants’ witnesses clearly shows that, when a rail which is expanded until it is tightly compressed at the end is released, it is liable to spring from a few inches to as much as four or five feet, and that the inside of the trade in such case is a most dangerous position. Olson testifies he has seen rails spring five or six inches or a foot at the' ouside, Avhile Ibson frankly testifies that no one can tell where they will go. „
The next point made is that the risk of a rail springing or jumping, as this one did, was one of the risks of the employment in Avhich Rath jen AAras engaged; that he had four years’ experience in work of this character, and that he kneAv that the rail was apt to spring Avhen being taken up — citing in this connection the case of Omaha Bottling Co. v. Theiler, 59 Neb. 257. But Rathjen testifies that he did not knoAv the rail Avas wedged; that he kneAv it was caught, but did not knoAv but that it was caught by being imbedded in the ties, or by a spike; that he had seen rails jump before, but only a few inches. There is no evidence to contradict him on this point, and, if the jury believed him, the doctrine of the Omaha Bottling Company case, quoted by defendants, that “a servant Avho, from the length or character of previous service or experience, may be presumed to knoAv the ordinary hazards attending the proper conduct of a certain business, is not entitled, as an absolute right, to the same or similar notice of dangers incident to the employment as if he Avere ignorant of, or inexperienced in, the particular work,” is not applicable. The evidence clearly sIioavs that Rathjen was *813not aware that the rail had expanded, or that, if so, it was liable to spring so far.
It is next objected that the court erred in permitting the plaintiff and Fronk to testify as to the proper way to take out a rail wedged as this rail was. These witnesses testify that the proper way was to cut the bolts, knock the angle-bar out, and then knock the end rail out with a maul. This is exactly the method which Olson pursued. The defendants certainly could not be prejudicied by testimony showing that the plan which it tried to follow was the proper one. Further than this, the defendants met this issue by testimony to the effect that, when the rail was tightly wedged, the usual method was to force in the rail at the next joint, thereby relieving the pressure. It seems to us this matter is of little importance under the issues.
It is next contended that the court erred in permitting the witness Fronk to answer certain questions for the purpose of contradicting the evidence of the section foreman, Peters. Peters had testified that the usual method of taking the rails up was to release the angle-bars at the joint, go back about three or four feet, and push the rail out on the side where the spikes Avere draAvn; that that was the method alAvays used; that it had never occurred to him that the danger was any greater if the rail was wedged, than it Avouhl be if not Avedged, and that it never occurred in his experience that there Avould be danger of its springing when it was released. On cross-examination he was asked whether, Avhen he was removing a rail at a point near Gibson directly after the accident, he found a rail Avedged at the end, and took a spike maul and hammered it until he got it loose, and if he did not then say in the presence of Fronk, “If Olson had broken that joint in that Avay, the old man would not have got hurt.” He AA'as also asked with reference to meeting plaintiff in January, 19 0T, on the railroad track near River View park, and telling him that, “If T had been there and liad been removing that rail this accident never *814would have happened, because I would have taken the maul and broken the joints.” Defendants contend that the evidence to contradict him should not have been received for the reason “that it was not a part of the res gestee. Peters was only a section foreman, and. any such statement made by him does not bind the defendants or either of them.” But it was admitted merely for the purpose of impeaching Peters, and not as direct testimony. We can see nothing prejudicial to the defendants in its admission.
It is also urged that the court erred in instructing the jury that, if they found in favor of the plaintiff, “You cannot find against one defendant and in favor of the other.” It is said that the only evidence as to a command given by Olson was that, of Rath jen himself; that Fronk did not know whether it was Ibson or Olson who spoke; and that if the command was given by Ibson, Olson should have been exonerated, even though the railway company was held liable. But the petition based the liability of the defendants upon the command of Olson, the instructions base the railway company’s liability alone upon the command by Olson, and the jury were specifically instructed that, if they found that some one other than Olson gave the order and command, then the plaintiff cannot recover. The plaintiff chose to base his right to recover upon Olson’s command. He staked his whole fortune upon this cast. Under such a theory, and under the issues presented, the instruction complained of is not erroneous, and was properly given. It could in nowise prejudice Olson that the railway company’s liability is only predicated upon the theory of respondeat superior.
The refusal of the court to submit certain special findings requested by Olson is assigned as error. We have uniformly held that the submission of any such findings is entirely within the discretion of the district court. We find no abuse of this discretion in the refusal to submit these questions.
The issues in the case are simple. If the jury believed *815that Olson knew that the rail was wedged, and carelessly-ordered Ratlijen to go inside and lift it up, and at about the same time told Simpson to go to the next joint and push it in, having knowledge that the inside of the rail while this was being done was a position of danger, and if Ratlijen, in ignorance that the rail was wedged, took this dangerous position in obedience to the negligent order, and was injured in consequence, there Avas actionable negligence on the part of Olson and of his superior. If, on the other hand, the jury belieAred that Ratlijen voluntarily placed himself between the rails, and was ordered out before the accident, as Olson testifies, then neither Olson nor the railway company are liable. The only material point in dispute was whether or not Olson directed Ratlijen to go inside and lift. As to this there Avas a direct conflict in the evidence, which was a matter for the jury to determine, and witli their determination of this question avc are not at liberty to interfere. The Avitnesses Avere before them, and they had opportunities of determining their credibility with which we are not endoAved. The case seems to have been carefully tried. The, instructions Avere clear, definite, and concise. The damages, while large, are not complained of as being excessive, nor do Ave think they are, considering the injuries sustained, and the permanent defective condition of the plaintiff’s leg.
We find no reversible error in the record, and the judgment of the district court is
Affirmed.
Sedgwick, J., not sitting.