Donald v. Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railway Co.

93 Iowa 284 | Iowa | 1895

Granger, J.

I. We will first notice defendant’s appeal, in which it is contended that the verdict is without support in the evidence. Maiken was killed near Lucas, in Lucas county. The negligence charged against the defendant is in the construction or maintenance of an overhead highway bridge. Near where the body of Maiken was found is such a bridge, and the claim is that it is. so low that Maiken, when on the top of the freight train, was struck by the bridge as the train passed under it, and killed. It seems to us that such a conclusion is. not to be legitimately drawn from 1 the evidence. Sonne facts in the case are without dispute. • The bridge in question is located at a curve in defendant’s road, and at the curve, as is usual, cue rail of the track is higher than the other. At this curve the difference in the height of the rails was about one. and one-half inches. By actual measurements from the higher rail to the bridge, it is eighteen feet eight and one-half inches. The train from which Maiken fell was composed of freight cars of the company, including some furniture cars. The height of the standard or “regulation” car is not definitely fixed, but it is lower than the furniture car, which is twelve feet six inches. The evidence as to the height ■of Maiken is not in harmony, his height being fixed at from five feet ten inches to. six feet one inch. Assuming the latter to be correct, the top of his head, when standing on the higher car, would be eighteen feet seven inches from the rail, and one and one-half inches below the bridge. This, we think, is the most favorable view of the evidence for plaintiff. There is no. claim that there can be a recovery, unless the death was caused by the bridge. The only reason for thinking that Maiken was struck by the bridge is that his body was found near to, and a little east of it. The- train was going east. No one saw him fall, and he was not missed from the train until it reached Chariton. It passed the town of Lucas, without stopping. In answer to the claim of defendant that the evidence fails to show that Maiken was struck by the bridge, plaintiff makes some reference to evidence, but the references do not change its 2 effect from our statement of it. The argument is something of a complaint because the defendant did not prove, or, perhaps, a claim that it might have shown, some facts not proven. As an instance, it is said there is no proof of the height of a standard car, nor of the car next to the engine. It is also said that defendant “could have given the exact height of every car in the train, and especially of the four or five cars in the front, of which they had the numbers. The appellee was not able to do so.” It is then claimed that, because plaintiff did not make such proof, it is a strong presumption against it; and reference is made to Clifton v. U. S., 45 U. S. 242. That action was an information charging the forfeiture of goods seized by the United States because of fraudulent practices against the revenue laws. There was such evidence that the court “had pronounced the proof sufficient to establish the offense, unless explained and rebutted by opposing evidence.” The case then makes an application of the rule that where facts are thus established, and a party has better or conclusive evidence of an. opposite character, and fails to produce it, the presumption is against him. Such a rule does not apply to this case. Plaintiff put on the witness stand the engineer of the company, and made certain proofs as to the height of the cars, and, for all that appears in the record, might have made full proofs of the particulars complained of, but did not attempt it; and by such failure she is short of the facts to, in any way, support her claim. If the evidence was such as, unexplained, would support the verdict, and the situation was .such that if there could he a contrary .showing the evidence for that purpose would presumably be in the custody or under the control of the defendant, the rule invoked would be pertinent. We further notice, as showing plaintiff’s application of the evidence to support the verdict, this clause of the argument: “There is no doubt, had the furniture cars, whose names anid numbers were known to the defendant, been of such height that Mr. Maiken could not have struck the bridge, standing or walking-on the top of them, passing under said bridge, the jury would have been fully acquainted with the facts, to their satisfaction.” This can only mean that, unless the jury found that they were not of such height, it could assume that they were, and such a theory must have been the one on whi ch the verdict was found. But there is a want,of consistency in the claim, in any event, for plaintiff furnished the proof that, by measurement, a furniture car of the company was as we have said, twelve feet six inches high. It is true that this was not one of the cars in the train, but the proof must have been offered to show the height of that class of cars. Plaintiff made no attempt to show the height of the cars in the train in .any other way, and there is no showing or claim that'the plaintiff was prevented, by the conduct of the company, from so> doing. So that it may be said that the evidence is quite a strong showing against the accident being caused by the bridge, upon actual measurements, barring a feature of the evidence 3 to be next considered. The civil engineer of the defendíant company was a witness for plaintiff, and testified that a man running or trotting attained an altitude about an inch and a half greater than when standing. If that be true, and Maiken wan running or trotting on a furniture car as it passed under the bridge, Ms head could have just reached it. But there is no proof that he was on a furniture car at that time, or that he was running or trotting, nor are there circumstances from wMch it could be inferred. The bridge was examined, and there was no evidence to show that be struck it. Nothing about the body bore evidence of contact with the bridge, more than it did of his .merely falling from the train. The evidence shows that the train rounded the curve at a high rate of speed, and it is to be inferred that Maiken-fell from it; and, beyond that, the cause of his death is purely conjecture. His hat was found, and some dandruff on or in it, and that is thought to be evidence of contact with the bridge; but such claims only show the extremity demanded to sustain the verdict. If the dandruff is to be accounted for because of a blow or injury, it is exactly as consistent with striking his head in the fall, as against the bridge, ancl even more so, for the evidence fairly shows that his head would not reach the bridge. There is no view of the evidence on which the verdict can be sustained:

II. An important question is presented on plaintiff’s appeal from the action of the court in directing a verdict for the. defendant on the fourth count of the petition. It is highly important that the facts should 4 be well understood. The relief department of the defendant is designed to raise and maintain a fund for sick and disabled employes, and, in case of death, for their relatives or beneficiaries. The department is purely voluntary, as to its membership, and none, other than employes of the defendant company, are eligible to membership. The certificate on which the action is based is in words as follows: “Burlington Voluntary Relief Department. Certificate of Membership in the Relief Fund, No. 10,633. Office of the Superintendent, Chicago, Ill., Sept. 14, 1890. This certifies that Albert A. Maiken, employed by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, is a member of the relief fund of that company, and is entitled to the benefits provided by the regulations of the relief department for a member of the second class, with no additional death, benefit of the first class. J. C. Bartlett, Superintendent of the Relief Department. R. D. 12.”

The basis of membership is a written application, showing the moral and physical qualifications essential to it. Employment in the company in no way depends upon membership in the relief department The benefits are graded by classes; that of Maiken being five hundred dollars in case of death; and that is the sum for which judgment is asked. The fund is obtained by monthly assessments of its members, and the amount is deducted from the monthly payments. Such amounts as are not raised from these assessments are made up by the company from its earnings; in the way of interest on the monthly balances of the relief department. The incidental expenses of the department — incident to the conduct of its business — are paid by the railway company. In case the fund of the relief department is not-sufficient, the company pays all benefits due, in full. The relief department is not a separate corporation or organization, but it is organized in connection with the workings of the company, in the way of benefiting its employes. The assessments have never been sufficient to pay the benefits accruing to the members. The contract of membership' is evidenced by the certificate and a “Book of Rules,” or what in the certificate is designated as “Regulations of the Relief Department,” which are supplied to each member. The contract of Maiken provided that the death benefit should be paid to his mother, plaintiff herein. The following are provisions of the regulations by which Maiken was to be bound, in his contract of membership-. “Should a member or his legal representatives bring suit against the company * * for damages on account of injury or death of such member, payment of benefits from the relief fund on account of the same shall not be made until such suit is discontinued; and if suit shall proceed to judgment, or shall be compromised, all claims upon the relief fund for benefits on account of such injury or death' shall be thereby precluded. I also agree that, in consideration of the amounts paid and to be paid by said company for the maintenance of the relief department, the acceptance of benefits from the said relief fund for injury or death shall operate as release and satisfaction of all claims for damages against said company, arising directly or indirectly from such injury or death, which could be made by him or his legal representatives.” At the bottom of page 60 of the abstract, being in the first paragraph in his application, Maiken agreed to be bound by the regulations of the relief department of said company. After the death of Maiken, one J. L. Younker was appointed as administrator of his estate, and brought suit for damages to the estate in the District Court of Monroe county, which was transferred to the United States Circuit Court, and there settled by an agreement of the company to pay one thousand dollars, which amount has been paid. The provisions of the contract, and the facts of the suit by the administrator and the settlement, are pleaded in bar of this suit; and, upon the undisputed facts, the court directed the verdict for the defendant. There is no claim but that the suit by the administrator, and the settlement, were in good faith.

The contentions of plaintiff, as appellant, on this branch of the case, are under two general assignments, 5 under each of which are discussed incidental questions. The first general proposition is “that the agreement pleaded by and) between A. A. Maiken and the C., B. & Q. Railroad Company is against public policy.” It should be borne in mind that the agreement referred to is the aboveiquoted provision, that: “Should a member or his legal representatives bring suit against the company * * * for damages on account of injury or death of such member, payment of benefits from the relief fund on account of the same shall not be paid until such suit is discontinued; and if such suit shall be prosecuted to judgment, or shall be compromised, all claims upon the relief fund for benefit on account of such injury or death shall thereby be precluded.” It is said in argument that “the consent of parties cannot oust a court of its jurisdiction, and therefore a contract not to resort to a judicial forum in the settlement of disputes is not binding in law.” As to the legal proposition, there should be no dispute. But the following is the application of it to the facts of this case: “How much the less, then, can the bringing of an action bar the right of another action, founded upon an entirely different cause, and unadjudicated?” The situation is misapprehended. In case of injuries for which the company would be liable, Maiken or his beneficiaries have the right of action for damages, and that right is not abridged by the contract of membership in the relief department. By mutual contributions of both the members and the company, a fund is provided, and is available to a member injured by the company, whether in a way to render it liable for damages or not. The member, in his contract, agrees with the company that in consideration of its contributions to the fund, if he is injured, he will not take the benefit thus provided, and, besides, ask for damages because of the injury, but he has his election which he will take. Such a contract fixes his rights as a member of the relief department; that is, upon what terms he may receive payment from the department. It is purely defensive matter, arising upon contract, and does not go to the jurisdiction of the court. It is not a contract not to resort to a judicial forum, any more than is any contract, a breach of the 6 conditions of which would, if pleaded, defeat a recovery on it. But such a contract is said to be against public policy. We do uot see why. It is not a contract by which the company can escape a legal liability for its torts. The way is entirely open for the prosecution of any claim for negligence against the company, and damages are obtainable to the full amount of the injuries sustained. There is no phase of public policy that prohibits any person agreeing that such full compensation, or whatever he may accept as a compensation, shall be in lieu of any claim he might otherwise have against the relief fund. It seems to be the thought, inducing the contract, that the company shall not be compelled to pay damages for the injury sustained, and also to contribute to a fund for additional relief. Such an agreement seems not only not against public policy, but seems not inequitable. Our conclusion that the contract is not against public policy is sustained in Griffiths v. Earl of Dudley, 9 Q. B. Div. 555. The case of Leas v. Pennsylvania Co. (Ind. App.) 37 N. E. Rep. 423, was determined in May, 1894, and is very conclusive on the subject of the’ contract being against public policy. The following syllabus has full support in the opinion: “Where a railroad relief association, composed of associated companies and their employes, is in charge of the companies, who guarantee the obligations, supply the facilities for the business, pay the operating expenses, take charge of and are responsible for the funds, make up all deficits in the benefit fund, and supply surgical attendance for injuries received in their service, an employe’s agreement, in his voluntary application for membership, that acceptance of benefits for an injury shall release any claim of damages therefor against the railroad, is based on a valid consideration.” We further quote the following as a rule of the case: “There is no rule of .public policy which, condemns an arrangement between an employer and his servants, looking to compromise for damages, and a system of general mutual relief for such servants and their families.” The same principle is announced, as to public policy, in Johnson v. Railroad Co. (Pa. Sup.) 29 Atl. Rep. 854. In that case it is pertinently remarked: “The substantial feature of the contract, which distinguishes it from those: held void as against public policy, is that the party retains whatever right of action he may have, until after knowledge of all the facts, and an opportunity to make his choice between the sure benefits of the association or the chance of litigation. Having accepted the former, he cannot justly ask the latter, in addition.” See, also, Graft v. Railway Co. (Pa. Sup.) 8 Atl. Rep. 206.

It is said that the contract is contrary to the express terms of Code, section 1307, which provides that any 7 contract restricting the liabilities of railway companies for the neglect or mismanagement of their employes in connection with the operation of railways shall not be legal or binding. But we have said, and the authorities cited hold, that such contracts are in no way a restriction on such liability. The employe, when such liability arises, has his choice to take the damages, as he may be able to establish them, or the benefit from the association. The company is liable for either, at the election of the employe, but not for both. Such facts do not amount to a restriction on liability.

There is. a claim that this clause of the contract, and the act of the administrator in bringing and compromising 8 the suit, cannot avail to defeat the plaintiff’s right of action; she being the mother, and having herself made no settlement. But, as a beneficiary, she takes merely what her son contracted she should take. Independent of his contract, she has no claim wbateyer on the Relief fund. The contract in no way impairs what the law would give her from his estate. This is a right he has attempted to create for her by contract. When the contract was made, he knew, as did the company, that in case of his death, as it afterward occurred, an action could be brought against the company; and he bad the right, a.s between himself and the company to agree that if any authorized person brought .such a suit, and it was compromised, the beneficiary would have no claim on the fund. As she had no prior right, she is in no position to urge a claim not in accord with the terms of the contract. She must take the certificate with the conditions imposed by the contract, or not at all.

There is a remark in the argument to the effect that Maiken could not, by his contract with the company, restrict plaintiff’s right to “recover his earnings during his minority.” We do not understand such a claim to be made, and the remark is fortunate, in bringing to notice a distinguishing fact or condition. To the wages of her minor son, the law gave her a right, and the situation would be widely different if the contract of membership provided that a settlement by the administrator should defeat her right to recover for his wages due her. It is only as to rights arising from the 9 contract of membership that we are holding that she must be bound, as his beneficiary. There is a claim, also, that the relief department is an insurance company, or, at least, the question is considered. It seems to us not. It does not purport to be an insurance company. While the benefits are in the way of relief in cases of sickness, accident, or death, the manifest intent is different. The benefit association of the Philadelphia & Beading Bailroad Company, considered in Johnson v. Railroad Co., supra, is, in all essential particulars, like the one in this case; and it is held not to be. an insurance company, but a “beneficial association.” It cites as authorities Com. v. Equitable Ben. Ass’n, 137 Pa. St. 412, 18 Atl. Rep. 1112, and Association v. Jones, 154 Pa. St. 99, 26 Atl. Rep. 253. These considerations dispose of the material questions argued, and necessary to, our conclusions, and the result is that the judgment, on defendant’s appeal, is reversed. On plaintiff’s appeal it is affirmed.