118 Ga. 833 | Ga. | 1903
"The plaintiff below was a locomotive engineer in the employment of the defendant company. He was what is known as a hostler, his duties being to “ reheve the engineers that come in off the road, take the train and pub it away, and carry the engine to the shop and put it up.” While engaged in the performance of his duties at night in the railroad yards of the defendant in the city of Macon, his engine collided with a train of the defendant, composed of an engine and one car, and the plaintiff sustained injuries on account of which he sued. On all material issues the evidence was conflicting; but there was evidence upon which the jury were authorized to find that the plaintiff was, at the time of the collision, in the exercise of due diligence, and had the proper signals displayed upon his engine in accordance with the rules of the company, while the train with which
It is difficult to see how it can be seriously contended that the verdict rendered in this case was excessive. At the time of his injuries the plaintiff was forty-two years old, in good health, and earning $65 per month. His earning capacity was shown to have been totally destroyed. Aside, however, from the question of damages for decreased capacity to labor, it could not be said that for pain and suffering alone the amount found by the jury was excessive. It appears that the plaintiff was burned and scalded in a manner frightful to contemplate; that he was in bed for nearly a year after his injuries were received; and that he still suffers, and will doubtless continue to suffer for the remainder of his life, the most intense pain. The verdict was not excessive.
Judgment affirmed.