Court Opinion

ID: 9619702
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 05:31:44.412057+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:04:43.495186
License: Public Domain

WELCH, Justice
(dissenting).
I think the statements and the citations in the dissenting opinion of HALLEY, C. J., are unanswerable. Appellate courts are always loath to reverse judgments for recovery of damages in cases involving circumstances which resulted in serious personal injury or death. But in the even administration of justice, appellate courts must reverse such judgments when there is no showing that negligence of the defendant caused the injury or death. Some take the opposite view in this case, and, of course, Justices of an Appellate Court are entitled to have their individual views and their differences of opinion, and I respect them even when I cannot agree "with them.
Here there was no negligence of the Natural Gas Company which caused the death of Mr. Harting, and unfortunate though his death was, and however accidental it was, it is my view that this court should not approve liability for his death against any corporation, or against any individual except for proof of some negligence which caused it. Therefore I too must dissent.