Court Opinion

ID: 9778155
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-29 20:34:04.982467+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:33:04.143831
License: Public Domain

HALL, Justice,
concurring.
I do not agree with the majority’s holding that the record shows as a matter of law that the area where Smith was injured was equally controlled by Santa Fe and its lessees, or that the record otherwise shows without dispute that Smith was the invitee of the lessees. However, it is my view that those questions are immaterial. The record does show without contradiction that Smith was on land controlled by Santa Fe when he was injured, and that the premises under lease by the lessee-defendants adjoined the property upon which Smith was injured. Under those circumstances and the jury’s findings the lessees are liable for Smith’s damages without regard to the relationship between them and Smith. This is so because of the rule that a possessor of land is under the duty to exercise ordinary care in the use of his property to avoid injuring others on adjoining property. See Texas-Louisiana Power Co. v. Webster, 127 Tex. 126, 91 S.W.2d 302 (1936); Atchison v. Texas & P. Ry. Co., 143 Tex. 466, 186 S.W.2d 228 (1945); Restatement, Law of Torts (2d ed. 1965) §§ 371, 386; Prosser, Handbook of the Law of Torts (1941), § 76.
With the exception stated, I concur with the majority’s opinion and order overruling motion for rehearing. I also concur in the affirmance of the trial court’s judgment.