Court Opinion

ID: 7966479
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 00:51:03.721184+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:34:39.426148
License: Public Domain

Collins, J.1
This action was brought by plaintiff, who was employed by the defendant as a brakeman, to recover for injuries alleged to have been received through the negligence of an engineer also in defendant’s employ. The jury found for the plaintiff, and defendant appeals from an order denying a new trial. The accident occurred in the night-time; the engineer who is said to have been negligent then having charge of a switching or yard engine standing upon the main track, and in front of which- a caboose-ear was coupled. It became necessary to open a side track a'short distance for the purpose of taking out another caboose-car. A brakeman who was working with the plaintiff turned the switch, and with his lantern gave a “slow” signal. This the engineer understood, and, pushing the car in front of the engine, came- slowly over on to the side track.- As the moving car and engine approached the caboose which was to be taken out, plaintiff, in the line of his duty, stepped in and made the usual preparations for coupling. When within about two feet of the- stationary caboose, the car and engine came to a full halt, and were then put in motion. The draw-heads of the caboose came together, catching and crushing the plaintiff’s hand. From testimony which was undisputed, it appears that the engineer knew that the caboose in his front was to be coupled to that upon the side track, and that plaintiff *269had gone between them to make the connection. It also seems that, when his engine stopped, he knew the cabooses to be but about two feet apart, and that, under the rules governing the movement of locomotives, the one in question should not have then been started up without further signal from the brakemen. The testimony of the plaintiff and his witnesses was, in substance, thahno signal was given except at the switch; that, instantaneously after coming to a full stop, the car and engine were suddenly, with'great force and violence, started up, and thrown forward upon the stationary car, whereby plaintiff’s hand was caught and mangled' between the draw-heads. The sufficiency of this testimony to sustain the verdict is really the only question presented upon the appeal.
In defendant’s behalf, there was testimony that the engine was properly handled,’when, during a momentary halt, the engineer applied steam, having, as he claims, received from one of the brakemen another signal to move ahead slowly, and that the- cars came together with little ór no force, and in the usual’ manner. There was also put in evidence the result of a number of experiments in car-coupling under precisely the conditions existing when plaintiff was hurt, made with the same engine and upon the same tracks. From this the defendant contends that it was conclusively established that the accident did not result, and could not have resulted, from the carelessness or negligence of the engineer. We cannot'so hold. The weight of all the testimony was for the jury, and there was sufficient on the part of the plaintiff to show that his injuries were caused by the mismanagement of the engineer, and that they might have been averted, had due care been used by him.
Order affirmed.

 Mitchell, J., took no part in this case.