Court Opinion

ID: 9580339
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 22:04:09.966408+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:36:13.037771
License: Public Domain

Justice WEBB
dissenting.
I dissent. If the only inference that can be drawn from the evidence is that contributory negligence is a proximate cause of the injury, the plaintiff cannot recover. Ragland v. Moore, 299 N.C. 360, 261 S.E. 2d 666 (1980). If the plaintiff did something that a reasonable and prudent man would not have done, or failed to do something that a reasonable and prudent man would have done, under all the circumstances, and the plaintiff should have reasonably foreseen that this would cause the injury that occurred, or some similar injurious result, he is barred from recovery by his contributory negligence. Kanoy v. Hinshaw, 273 N.C. 418, 160 S.E. 2d 296 (1968) and Holderfield v. Trucking Co., 232 N.C. 623, 61 S.E. 2d 904 (1950).
In this case, the question is whether the only inference which may be drawn from the evidence is that a reasonable man of ordinary prudence would have foreseen that some injury might occur if he stayed in BJ’s Lounge and left before the plaintiff departed. I believe the jury could only infer that a reasonable man of ordinary prudence would have foreseen an injurious result, such as occurred, might have happened and would have left the lounge before he did, thus avoiding the injury.
The plaintiff knew the reputation of BJ’s Lounge; he knew the Indians often carried knives and guns and that they often *737started fights when assembled in large numbers; he knew that his friends had left the lounge and that he had with him only his wife and a friend who could not defend himself; and he told his wife Bear Suits would cause someone some trouble that night. From this evidence, I believe it can only be inferred that a reasonable man of ordinary prudence would have foreseen that some trouble and injury might occur and would have left the lounge. I believe it can only be inferred that a reasonable man of ordinary prudence would not have stayed in the bar when the danger of violence was so apparent. A reasonable man would have done as plaintiffs friends did and left the lounge before there was trouble. I believe the plaintiff deliberately exposed himself to danger of which he should have been aware. This is contributory negligence as a matter of law. Burgess v. Mattox, 260 N.C. 305, 132 S.E. 2d 577 (1963).
I also agree with the following language in Judge Martin’s opinion in the Court of Appeals:
Plaintiff had knowledge at least equal to that of defendants of the violent nature of Suits and his companions and of the volatile atmosphere present in the bar when he confronted Suits over the shoving of Huffman. With that knowledge, plaintiff confronted Suits and invited him outside to fight. When Suits refused, plaintiff continued to stand beside him, repeating the invitation, even though he could have left. The potential for danger and physical harm inherent in the confrontation with Suits was as well known to plaintiff as to defendants, yet, with such knowledge, plaintiff exposed himself to the danger by approaching Suits, engaging in a heated verbal exchange and delivering the first, and only, blow. It was certainly foreseeable to plaintiff that his physical attack on Suits would provoke a violent response from Suits’ companions. Plaintiff had a duty not to needlessly expose himself to danger, which he clearly violated in this case. See Witherspoon v. Owen, 251 N.C. 169, 110 S.E. 2d 830 (1959). Moreover, plaintiff voluntarily participated in the affray, thereby helping to create the situation from which his injuries arose. It is elementary that one may not recover damages for injuries resulting from a hazard he helped to create. Blevins v. France, 244 N.C. 334, 93 S.E. 2d 549 (1956); Blake v. Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., 237 N.C. 730, 75 S.E. 2d 921 (1953).
*738Taylor v. Walker, 84 N.C. App. 507, 511-512, 353 S.E. 2d 239, 241-242 (1987).
I vote to affirm the Court of Appeals.