Court Opinion

ID: 9812792
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 22:48:13.569715+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:26:35.149181
License: Public Domain

Waíkeb, J.,
concurring: This case does not present the question so often decided by this Court as to the liability of a railroad company for an injury to a trespasser walking on its tracks, when its engineer has the right to suppose that he will leave the track even up to the last moment when it is too late to save him from injury, the latter, if it occurs, being imputed to his own negligence. Here the plaintiff was walking' along the public road and was diverted from his course because his way was blocked by one of defendant’s trains. He, therefore, went around the train to get into the street or road again, and had to use the track of defendant in doing so, having looked and listened for trains before entering upon the track and seeing none. The defendant’s engine approached him suddenly and without warning, and under circumstances and surroundings requiring notice of its approach to be given. He was not, therefore, a mere trespasser or licensee, but was acting in the exercise of his legal right, and his conduct being induced by the wrongful act of the defendant. The doctrine as to trespassers or licensees on railroad tracks is too well settled to be disturbed, and this decision, as I understand, is not intended to do so, as appears from the Court’s opinion. See Neal v. R. R., 126 N. C., 634 (S. c., 128 N. C., 143); McAdoo v. R. R., 105 N. C., 140; High v. R. R., 112 N. C., 385; Ward v. R. R., 161 N. C., 179. These and many other cases have established this doctrine firmly, and placed it beyond any possibility of controversy.
The case was virtually resolved into an issue of fact, both as to negligence and contributory negligence, there being evidence as to both questions. The charge of .the court was free from any substantial error, and there is no ground for a reversal. The jury found both issues in favor of the plaintiff, and his right to the judgment has not been successfully assailed.