Court Opinion

ID: 8019826
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-09-09 02:09:18.835247+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T16:36:35.910126
License: Public Domain

BLAIR, J.
Respondent recovered judgment for $18,000 in an action for damages for personal injuries. This appeal followed.
It is. undisputed that the appellant was engaged and respondent employed in interstate commerce at the time of the injury. The evidence tends to show respondent, in the course of duty, attempted to descend from one of appellant’s cars and fell from its top by reason of the giving way of a handhold on the car at the top of the ladder he was about to use; that the lag screw designed to secure one end. of the handhold was partly rusted through or cracked one-half inch below the surface of the roof of the ear, and gave way when respondent attempted to use the handhold, and *693that respondent fell thirteen feet and struck upon his hack; that symptoms of paralysis of the lower limbs developed. Physicians who testified had examined respondent and had applied numerous tests for the purpose of determining the fact whether paralysis existed. The “doctors disagreed,” hut there was evidence that the tests applied developed facts showing that respondent’s injuries were permanent.
Appellant assigns for error (1) the refusal of the court to direct a verdict for defendant; (2) the giving of one of respondent’s instructions, and (3) excessiveness of the damages allowed.

Neg 'gence.

I. In an action under the Safety Appliance Act “it is of course settled that if the equipment was in fact defective or out of repair, the question whether this was attributable to the company’s neg-pg.ence immaterial.” [Spokane & Inland Railroad v. Campbell, 241 U. S. l. c. 505, and cases cited; St. Joseph & Grand Island Ry. v. Moore, 243 U. S. l. c. 314; San Antonio Ry. v. Wagner, 241 U. S. l. c. 483, 484; Illinois Central Railroad v. Williams, 242 U. S. l. c. 464; New York Central Railroad v. White, 243 U. S. l. c. 198; L. & N. Railroad v. Layton, 243 U. S. l. c. 620, 621; Roberts’ Injuries to Interstate Employees, sec. 21.] Decisions under the Federal Employees’ Liability Act (several are cited) and in cases grounded upon general law are inapplicable.

Negligence!7

II. Under the Safety Appliance Act contributory negligence of the injured person constitutes neither defense nor mitigation of damages. [Moore, v. St. Joseph & Grand Island Ry., 268 Mo. l. c. 35, 36, affirmed 243 U. S. 311; Spokane & Inland Railroad v. Campbell, 241 U. S. l. c. 509, 510.]

*694
Negigence-°f •instruction’ and Proof.

*693III. The petition stated facts making a case under the Safety Appliance Act. In addition, it alleged appellant was negligent in failing to discover and repair *694defects charged to exist. Appellant’s principal instruction required the jury, before finding for respondent, to find • facts which would authorize a recovery under the Safety Appliance Act, and, also, that appellant was negligent in the manner alleged in the petition. Appellant now contends respondent is hound by this theory; that there was no substantial evidence that the defect could have been discovered by the exercise of appropriate care; and, therefore, that this judgment must be reversed1. The facts alleged and proved brought the ease within the Safety Appliance Act. This act is, as is the Employers’ Liability Act, “paramount and exclusive” in its field. [N. Y. Central Railroad Co. v. Winfield, 244 U. S. l. c. 151 et seq.] The allegations of negligence in the petition were the purest surplusage, and in submitting the question in the instruction respondent assumed an unnecessary burden. Whether there was evidence of negligence of the sort mentioned is a purely academic question. The absence of such evidence, despite the submission of the question, is immaterial in view of “the positive duty imposed by the statute upon the railroad to furnish safe appliances” in the way of handholds. [Minn. & St. Louis R. R. Co. v. Gotschall, 244 U. S. 66.] The cases cited by appellant might be applicable had respondent failed to recover and liad he attempted to secure a reversal on the ground that he was not required to prove negligence.

Instruction: Assumption of Injury.

IV. It is contended the instruction on the measure of damages is erroneous. The only objection made which is not covered by principles already adverted to is that the instruction assumes that appellant was injured. Respondent’s first instruction required the jury, before finding for respondent, to find all facts necessary to authorize such a verdict, including the fact that respondent was injured. Instruction 2 is as follows:
*695“The court instructs thé jury that if you find for the plaintiff, in estimating and determining the measure of his damages you should take into consideration, in connection with the facts, circumstances and evidence, the bodily pain and suffering and mental anguish, if any, endured by him and resulting from the injuries received; the character and extent of his injuries and whether they are permanent in their nature; the extent, if any, to which he has been prevented and disabled, and will be prevented and disabled in the future, by reason of such injuries,” etc.
This whole instruction is conditioned upon a finding for respondent, and instruction one requires that the fact of injury shall be found' before the jury are authorized to find for respondent. It is clear instruction 2 does not assume the fact of injury.

Appliance,

Y. In an additional brief appellant, after the argument and submission of the' cause, attempts to assign additional error with respect to instruction one. This might be disposed of on the ground that the complaint was not made in time. The contention is that “the evidence must show and the jury be required to find that the handhold in question literally complied with the statute” (Safety Appliance Act) “in order to bring the appliance within its terms and create a statutory liability for a defect therein;” that “there is nothing in the evidence in this case, nor in plaintiff’s instruction (one) defining his right to recover, that the grab-iron in question was the one prescribed by the statute to be at the top of the ladder.” (Italics are those of counsel.)
There was no dispute about the position of the handhold which gave way and allowed respondent to fall. Questions propounded to appellant’s witnesses 'by its counsel assumed the position of the handhold to be at the top of the ladder which respondent was attempting to descend. Further, the instruction assailed required the jury, before finding for respondent, to find, among other things, that respondent was *696upon a box car in use by appellant “and attempted to descend from said car, and in sucb attempt took bold of a, bandbold or grab-iron on the top of said car provided for the purpose,” etc. In the circumstances there m nothing in this contention.
verdict
VI. It is argued the judgment is excessive. We do not understand ’ counsel to contend there was no substantial evidence tending to prove injuries justifying a verc^c^ f°r tbe amount given. They argue that the testimony tending to prove such injuries is not worthy of belief. This question was submitted to the jury, and we have mo power to usurp their province and re-weigh! the evidence on appeal. Another contention is that it appeared in the hearing on the application for the order for the writ of error coram nobis that respondent had not been permanently injured and was practically well at the time of that hearing. Unfortunately for appellant we are restricted to the record in the case as made at the trial. This court is powerless to go outside th'at record for additional evidence upon which to 'base a reversal. The wisdom or unwisdom of this limitation it is useless to discuss. The limitation exists and binds this court. The judgment is affirmed.
All concur except WoodsoN, J., not sitting; Bonn, J., concurs in the result because this does not preclude defendant from equitable relief.