Court Opinion

ID: 9528818
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:44:22.660679+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:27:22.189692
License: Public Domain

*527McALLISTER, C. J.,
concurring in part, and dissenting in part.
I agree that Riley’s admission is admissible against him, and makes a jury question as to his liability. I do not agree that Riley’s admission is admissible against his employer. It has been the rule in Oregon and elsewhere that admissions or declarations, not part of the res gestae, made by one through whose negligence injury is caused to another, tending to prove such negligence, while admissible against the person so causing such injury, are not admissible as against one constructively liable for such person’s negligence in an action against both for the injuries so caused. The court should instruct the jury that such admissions or declarations so admitted in evidence should be considered only in determining the liability of the defendant actually causing the injuries, and not in determining the liability of the defendant constructively liable for the negligence of the other defendant. 75 ALR 1534 (1931); Hazard v. Salles, 222 Or 559, 562, 353 P2d 548 (1960); Bullington v. Farmer’s Tractor & Implement Co., 230 Ark 783, 324 SW2d 517 (1959); Square Deal Cartage Co. v. Smith’s Adm’r, 307 Ky 135, 210 SW2d 340 (1948); Smith v. Jungkind (Tex Civ App) 252 SW2d 596 (1952).
I think the prevailing rule should be applied in this case.
Perry, J., concurs in this opinion.