Court Opinion

ID: 9646936
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-23 13:17:13.769776+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:11:43.902617
License: Public Domain

Waoheneeld, J.
(dissenting). I am not in. agreement with the result or the reasoning of the majority opinion and must therefore briefly state my views.
A person is legally bound to exercise that degree of care commensurate with the danger created. The greater the danger, the greater the care, and the mere fact that standard, approved practices are followed does not of itself exculpate the wrongdoer if the injury could reasonably have been antici*53pated. Beck v. Monmouth Lumber Co., 137 N. J. L. 268 (E. & A. 1948).
These principles are not questioned by either litigant and are embraced in this court’s opinion. The law thus established, however, is completely nullified by the majority’s application of it to the facts and circumstances- involved.
Although the jury found the defendant odorized the gas for the purpose of detecting leaks, and assuming that standard methods of installation were followed, nevertheless there is sufficient evidence in the record to show that the installation of this unit, under the conditions present, created a formidable hazard which the defendant could and should have foreseen.
The cellar was small and the evident lack of ventilation preventing the dissipation of gas, which leaked at times, was known. Coneededly propane gas is “explosive and dangerous” and the installer of the system was cognizant of the dimensions and construction of the cellar and that the heater was “quite a ways removed from the windows.”
This gas was heavier than air and the ’ defendant’s vice-president testified the combination of gas with air in certain proportions produced an explosive mixture. Courts in other jurisdictions have decided that propane gas is a dangerous substance and may cause a powerful explosion. March v. Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corp., 265 App. Div. 1064, 39 N. Y. S. 2d 493 (1943); Grinnell v. Carbide & Carbon Chemicals Corp., 282 Mich. 509 (Sup. Ct. Mich. 1937).
Following the approved, standard method of installation does not in itself constitute a protective shield against liability if it could have been reasonably foreseen that injuries would result from the operation of the unit under the then circumstances. The explosive nature of propane gas, its heavy characteristic, the probability of leaking, together with the inadequate ventilation, should have indicated to the defendant the danger of making the installation.
The majority opinion finds the cellar constructed in this house was common and in' fairly general use, while the Appel*54late Division termed it “peculiar construction,” which the record seems to support. In either event, the same rule, in my opinion, applies. The care which must be exercised over the construction and maintenance of a highly destructive agency requires more than the use of mere mechanical skill and approved mechanical appliances. It also includes circumspection and foresight with regard to reasonable probabilities. Beck v. Monmouth Lumber Co., supra.
Deeming their conclusions to be correct, I would affirm the judgment of the Appellate Division.
For reversal—Chief Justice Vanderbilt, and Justices Case, Oliphant, Burling and Acicerson—5.
For affirmance—Justice Waci-ieneeld—1.