Court Opinion

ID: 9833674
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-01 22:56:19.486283+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:44:05.442653
License: Public Domain

On Rehearing.
In motion for rehearing appellant moves for additional findings on suggested facts, in paragraphs numbered 1 to 16, the latter embracing five subdivisions. Aside from procedural points of error, which we believe have been adequately discussed, appellant’s main argument centers around a proper construction of jury issues and answers 2, 3 and 12 taken together — obviously a matter of law; in which connection the further facts sought to be elicited are seen to be evidentiary in character and immaterial. This is illustrated by the first five paragraphs thereof requesting findings, viz: That Benson was an experienced railroad brakeman and cognizant of the duties of his position, etc.; that at and before the time of fatal injury he was sober and in full possession of normal facilities; that his hearing and sight were good, that he was alert and understood his duties with respect to the meeting and passing of opposite trains; that the approaching train had a strong headlight and a whistle that could be heard from the whistling post a mile away; that the passing track upon which Benson’s train was standing was straight, etc. In short, all additional facts so sought and suggested “in so far as material, are either undisputed or mere recitations of evidence which support inferences in conflict with conclusions fairly inferable from other evidence upon which our original findings rest. It is our province to determine whether evidence exists sufficient to support the verdict and judgment, and not to pass upon the weight of conflicting testimony. In other words, it is never necessary, under our rules of practice, to find facts that are undisputed in the record, or recite evidence which may tend to conflict with findings made.” Order of United Commercial Travelers of America v. Roth, Tex.Civ.App. 1913, 159 S.W. 176. 179, writ ref.
The request must be overruled, and, likewise, appellant’s motion to the merits. As we understand paragraphs 7, 10 and 13 of the latter motion, it is charged that we have applied the common law rule to the instant finding of negligence (issue 2) in the matter of causation, whereas, the doctrine of comparative negligence (Federal Employers’ Liability Act) requires a mere finding of defendant’s negligence in connection with injury. In actions under this Federal statute, 45 U.S.C.A. § 51 et seq., there always remains for judicial determination the question of negligence on part of the employer and its causal relation to the injury; i.e., proximate cause; Tiller v. Atlantic Coast Line Railway Co., 318 U.S. 54, 63 S.Ct. 444, 87 L.Ed. 610, 143 A.. L.R. 967.