Court Opinion

ID: 9776430
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 19:35:27.991118+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:32:38.801972
License: Public Domain

On Motion for Rehearing
In our original opinion we stated that the only evidence of the market value of the use of the truck furnished to appellee lies in the testimony of appellee that he figured his pay to be $60.00 to $65.00 per week. This testimony was received over the objection that it constituted a conclusion. We erroneously stated that no point had been presented complaining of this action of the trial court. A sufficient point was presented.
Under the peculiar fact situation involved here, the answer to the question necessarily was a conclusion on the part of the witness. It is undisputed that his money wage was $100.00 per month. To reach the weekly wage testified, appellee necessarily had to include his estimate either of the worth to him of the lodging and truck, or of the market value of the lodging and the privilege of using the truck. The objection should have been sustained.
On reconsidering the question, we have determined that there is no competent evidence to sustain the wage rate found by the jury. Article 8309, Sec. 1(4), Vernon’s Ann.Civ.St., provides that wages shall include the market value of lodging, and other advantages which can be estimated in money, which the employee receives from the employer as a part of his remuneration. We have concluded that the testimony of appellee above mentioned constitutes no evidence of the market value of the privilege of using the truck. Accordingly the answer made by the jury to Special Issue 14 is excessive, and is not supported by competent evidence.
The motion for rehearing is granted, and the judgment of the Trial Court is reversed and the cause is remanded for a new trial.