117 So. 334 | Miss. | 1928
It clearly appears from the evidence of the plaintiff that he contends that an automobile standing still turned over on him while he was in the public highway and caused his injuries.
The material part of the policy is as follows:
"This policy provides indemnity for loss of life, limb, sight or time by accidental means, to the extent herein limited and provided:
"(A) By being struck or knocked down or run over while walking or standing in or on a public highway, by *45 any automobile or any vehicle propelled by steam, cable, electricity, naphtha, gasoline, horse, compressed air or liquid power (excluding injuries sustained while working in a public highway, or while on a railroad right of way). . . .
"Part four:
See record, page 6.
In the court below the parties were at issue as to whether or not the agency causing the injuries was an automobile. There was an issue also, as to whether the particular spot on which appellee stood at the time he was injured was in the public highway. The jury resolved all these questions in favor of the appellee. The defendant asked for a peremptory instruction in the court below, and same was refused.
The appellee said he was at his place of business for the purpose of telling some negroes who were working for him what he wanted them to do; and, then in another place, he said he was attending to his business, giving a few orders to some negroes.
It will thus be seen that the appellee was pursuing his usual avocation at the time of the injury, and that he was in a public highway, and it will be observed that this policy for which he paid eighty-five cents a year did not insure him against injuries sustained while working in a public highway. He was engaged in his usual avocation, *46 according to his own testimony. He was conducting his business at the time of the injury in a public highway.
"The word `work' has a much more comprehensive meaning than the term `labor,' and has been defined to mean to exert one's self for a purpose, to put forth effort for the attainment of an object, to be engaged in the performance of a task, duty, or the like; and, as thus defined, covers all forms of physical or mental exertions, or both combined, for the attainment of some object other than recreation or amusement," and authorities there cited. Words and Phrases, vol. 4. Second Series, p. 1340.
The word "work" has been held to mean an effort directed to an end. Commonwealth v. Griffith,
As the plaintiff, appellee here, was engaged in his usual avocation, according to his own testimony, and chose to direct his servants while in a public highway, he was "working in the street" at the time of his injury.
We pretermit a decision of the numerous questions raised by the brief, and content ourselves with saying that the peremptory instruction should have been given for the appellant.
Reversed and judgment here for appellant.
Reversed.