Court Opinion

ID: 9857522
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-09-24 14:56:05.923044+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:41:25.915521
License: Public Domain

STEPHENSON, Justice
(dissenting).
I dissent. The issue submitted by the trial court was too restrictive. The court placed a greater burden upon the plaintiff than he should have been required to assume. Plaintiff plead an “excessive” amount of wax. The testimony showed a “puddle” of wax. The jury should not have been required to find a “puddle” of wax, as liability could have been based upon a finding of “excessive” amount of wax. The jury could have believed plaintiff was exaggerating the amount of wax, but still believed there was an excessive amount. The jury could have answered “yes” to an issue as to “excessive” amount even though they answered “no” to a “puddle”.
The witness would not have been permitted to testify that there was an “excessive” amount of wax on the floor, but had to use descriptive words to show the amount. She testified the amount was a “puddle”. This testimony should not have restricted her to an issue following the testimony.
In an automobile collision case a plaintiff may properly plead, as common law negligence, that the defendant was traveling at an excessive rate of speed. The testimony of plaintiff may then show defendant was traveling 68 miles per hour. A trial court could not then require the plaintiff to secure an affirmative finding to an issue as to whether defendant was driving 68 miles per hour, for the plaintiff would still be entitled to have an issue submitted as to whether the defendant was traveling at an excessive rate of speed.