Court Opinion

ID: 9632086
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 11:02:35.82557+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:08:08.325252
License: Public Domain

MR. JUSTICE CASTLES
(concurring in part, dissenting in part):
I concur, in the opinion as to the holding and discussion of the denial of the motion for a mistrial. I also concur in the discussion of the instructions given.
However, I would not return the case for a new trial; but would dismiss it . The defendant moved for a direct verdict and it should have been granted. The plaintiff’s entire case rests on the proposition that defendants were required to learn of the availability of a cleaning solvent and supply it to the plaintiff. The evidence showed that the use of gasoline, as it was used, was the customary practice, not only by defendants and other farmers in the area, but even by plaintiff’s father who was a mechanic in a commercial shop where solvent was available! Under such evidence, no negligence was shown as *365a matter of law. But, even assuming that it was, the plaintiff’s own direct testimony emphasized his knowledge and repeated use of gasoline for cleaning parts by his own choice. Thus, if the defendants were negligent in supplying gasoline, the plaintiff was equally negligent in using it and would be barred from recovery. (Markovich v. Northern Pac. Ry Co., 55 Mont. 139, 174 P. 183, and Wollan v. Lord, 142 Mont. 498, 385 P.2d 102.) The plaintiff is required to exercise his intelligence to avoid dangers which may threaten. (Hughey v. Fergus County, 98 Mont. 98, 37 P.2d 1035.)