Court Opinion

ID: 8189122
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 23:11:59.869956+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:40:32.398040
License: Public Domain

Winslow, O. J.
The plaintiff, as administratrix of the estate of her deceased husband, Ernest Longhenry, sues to recover damages received by her said husband while in the employ of the defendant and performing his duty as brakeman, as well as damages for his death which resulted from such injuries on the following day. The complaint con*140tains two counts — one under sec. 42‘55, Stats. (1898), for Ms death, and one for his bodily injuries and suffering.
Demurrers to both counts based on several grounds were interposed and overruled and the defendant appeals, but urges in this court but one ground of demurrer, namely, that no sufficient facts are stated in either count to constitute a cause of action. The appellant’s contention is that neither count states facts showing in what respect the defendant was guilty of any failure of duty which proximately caused injury to the deceased. The allegations which purport to charge the actionable negligence are the same in both counts. They charge incompetence on the part of the engineer and the existence of defective and insufficient brakes and couplings, to the knowledge of the defendant, and allege generally that the injury and death of the deceased resulted from these causes, but no facts are alleged showing proximate causal connection between them and the injuries of the deceased. Were these the only allegations of negligence the complaint might doubtless be properly held insufficient within the rule laid down in Ean v. C., M. & St. P. R. Co. 95 Wis. 69, 69 N. W. 997. But the complaint contains further allegations to the effect that while the deceased was performing his duties as a brakeman on a freight train, and while switching was being done and he was exercising ordinary care, the defendant’s employees in charge of the engine negligently and carelessly, without warning or signal, caused the engine to come with great force and speed against certain cars where the deceased was discharging his duty as brakeman, whereby said cars struck the deceased and he was crushed. ETo allegation is needed to the effect that the moving of cars upon a brakeman without signal, notice, or warning while he is discharging his duty is a breach of the engineer’s duty., Courts will assume that this must be so, at least until it is shown to the contrary, if, indeed, it can be so shown.
*141It appears, therefore, that negligence proximately causing tbe injury is sufficiently alleged in tbe complaint under tbe provisions of sec. 1816, Stats. (Supp. 1906; Laws of 1903, ch. 448, sec. 1, subd. 2).
By the Court. — Order affirmed.