Court Opinion

ID: 9580273
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:03:42.469717+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:36:10.841246
License: Public Domain

Birdsong, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent from the boldly stated assumption that appellant could not have assumed the risk as a matter of law, as the evidence did not conclusively disclose he understood the risk he was encountering (the slipping of a board) and the risk was not so obvious any reasonable man would have ascertained it.
The facts show that three twenty-foot planks, two inches thick and twelve inches wide were placed side by side, eight feet above the floor, forming a platform three feet wide. These planks were resting on steel beams approximately four inches square projecting from the wall across a hallway. These beams were spaced every three feet, so that approximately six were acting as supports to the platform. Appellant Jones had painted by roller the upper portion of the wall from one end of the platform to which he had ascended to the opposing end. Having completed the twenty-foot section, Jones was proceeding back to the point of origin, the other end of the platform. Before he reached the end of the platform, a co-worker who had trim-painted behind Jones’ work called to Jones. Jones turned his head as he was walking on the platform. As Jones completed his answer and turned to look back to where he was going, he fell off the platform to the floor. Jones assumed that one of the boards moved, not from end to end, but the twelve-inch width tipped. Jones says he either fell off the platform or fell between the adjoining boards, but also he was not sure that he did not simply walk off the platform.
Jones stated without equivocation that he was not directed by the contractor to use the platform. Jones and his co-worker carefully examined the width of the boards, the location of the supporting beams and concluded that the platform was safe. Jones had seen other subcontractors - using the platform without incident and was aware that other subcontractors also had used the platform. The appellee asserts it did not know the boards wére being used as scaffolding. Jones admitted the *582platform appeared quite safe, with ample support and that any other person looking up at the boards would have reached the same conclusion. Jones was aware that the boards were lying loosely on the supporting beams; nevertheless, he concluded the position was safe. Jones did in fact use the scaffolding for approximately 45 minutes.
It is further undisputed that appellee Crown did not have knowledge that the particular boards were being used by an employee of the subcontractor, including the appellant.
Chief Judge Deen speaking for this court in Jones v. Interstate North Assoc. 145 Ga. App. 366, 368 (243 SE2d 737) stated as follows: " 'Nor is there any presumption of negligence on the part of an owner or occupier merely upon a showing that an injury has been sustained by one while rightfully on the premises. The true ground of liability is the proprietors’ superior knowledge of the perilous instrumentality . . . known to the owner or occupant and not known to the person injured that a recovery is permitted”
This court in Batson-Cook v. Shipley, 134 Ga. App. 210, 212 (214 SE2d 176) held: " 'The basis of the proprietor’s liability is his superior knowledge, and if the invitee knows of the condition or hazard there is no duty on the part of the proprietor to warn him and there is no liability for resulting injury because the invitee has as much knowledge as the proprietor does and then by voluntarily acting in view of his knowledge, assumes the risks and dangers incident to the known conditions.’ ”
In the very recent case of Tect Const. Co. v. Frymyer, 146 Ga. App. 300 (246 SE2d 334), the above referenced rules were reiterated and approved.
The appellant having failed to establish superior knowledge, equal knowledge, or even any knowledge at all of the perilous instrumentality (scaffold) on the part of the appellee and the appellant having by his own deposition shown superior or equal knowledge on his part of the perilous and dangerous instrumentality, I am of the opinion that the trial judge was correct in granting judgment to the appellee.
I respectfully dissent. I am authorized to state that Chief Judge Deen and Judge Shulman join in this *583dissent.