Court Opinion

ID: 6149313
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-02-05 15:37:19.356994+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:54:58.691833
License: Public Domain

Schuchman, J.
This is an appeal from a judgment entered on a verdict rendered by a jury in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant and from an order denying the defendant’s motion for a new trial. _
. The action is brought to recover damages for personal injuries occasioned by the negligence of the defendant.
The question as to its negligence and of freedom from contributory negligence, on the part of the plaintiff has been properly submitted to the jury by- the charge of the justice presiding at the *433trial and the jury’s verdict is fully sustained by the evidence set forth in the case on appeal herein.
. The appellant lays great stress upon the fact that some witnesses testified that “ when the horse which was being driven by the plaintiff stepped on the west track, that is to say, the track upon which the accident occurred, the car upon that track was but five feet away from the plaintiff,” and that that constitutes contributory negligence as a matter of law; but reading that portion of the testimony in connection with the other above referred to, that particular matter is not established as an absolute,, uncontradicted and conclusive fact, either by positive proof or by necessary inference.
The defendant’s exception to the refusal of the court to charge “ that there is no evidence of pleurisy, and the jury may not consider pleurisy, as it has not been pleaded,” is not available, because the physician testified, without objection, that when he first examined the plaintiff he had pleurisy, and the court allowed the physician to explain what pleurisy was, which was perfectly proper.
The defendant further objected to the consideration of pleurisy because it had not been pleaded.
The complaint further contains this general allegation: “ Plaintiff suffered severe bruises and pains for a time, by reason whereof he became swollen, etc., and was made sick, sore and disabled.”
Under this general allegation, proof of pleurisy was allowable. Ehrgott v. Mayor, 96 N. Y. 264.
The exception, at folio 115, is not available. The defendant had called one Keely in its behalf, and he testified that he was assistant claim agent of.the Third Avenue Railroad Co.; that he served a certain witness, Pollatchek, with a subpoena to attend as a witness; that Pollatchek was in court at the time of the trial, and that at recess time he let him go away.
The defendant’s attorney asked him the question: u Why did you let him go?”
General objection, stating no ground, was raised.
Objection sustained and exception taken by the defendant.
Defendant could not ask that question for a motive. The plaintiff, on cross-examination, could have done it. Eurthermore, the motive of this assistant claim agent was not competent.
The question is too insignificant to base a reversal upon its exclusion, because it is too evident that the jury did not base their verdict on this question.
The exception taken at folio 123- is not available.
*434Defendant’s counsel requested the court to charge “ that there is no evidence of permanent injury and they may not find anything for permanent injury if they find at all.”
The court said: “I instruct the jury that the plaintiff has not claimed in his complaint damages upon an injury, but I submit the evidence as to his present condition to the jury for what it may be worth.”
The jury, could not have been misled by this instruction, as it was substantially that no damages for permanent injury were claimed, and that they were hot to consider 'any in that respect; but that in regard to the injury sustained by the plaintiff, he would submit the whole evidence to them to consider.
The defendant further objected to the following question addressed to the physician: “ Erom the condition that you found this man in, and the subsequent treatment you gave him, could you state with reasonable certainty what the injuries he received came from?” and took exception to its admission.
The question called for an answer of yes or no.
The defendant did, not move to strike out the answer as not being-responsive, and the- answer was ■ certainly not prejudicial to the defendant, and the jury undoubtedly did not base their verdict upon this answer, because it is competent to ask a physician to- tell from what causes the injured condition of a person may have resulted’. Turner v. City of Newburgh, 109 N. Y. 301; Clegg v. R. R. Co., 1 App. Div. 207.
There appearing no reversible error, the judgment and order appealed from are affirmed, with costs. .
O’Dwyer, J., concurs.
Judgment and order affirmed, with costs.