Gaynor v. Old Colony & Newport Railway Co.

100 Mass. 208 | Mass. | 1868

Colt, J.

It is for the plaintiff by affirmative evidence to establish, to the satisfaction of the jury, in cases of this description, his own freedom from negligence contributing to the injury of which he complains. Courts must take notice of that which is matter of common knowledge and experience, and when the plaintiff’s case fails to disclose the exercise of ordinary care, as judged of in the light of such knowledge and experience, he shows no right to a recovery. Ordinarily, however, it is to be settled as a question of fact, in each case as it arises, upon a consideration of all the circumstances disclosed, in connection with the ordinary conduct and motives of men, applying as the measure of ordinary care the rule that it must be such care as men of common prudence usually exercise in positions of like exposure and danger. When the circumstances under which the plaintiff acts are complicated, and the general knowledge and experience of men do not at once condemn his conduct as careless, it is plainly to be submitted to the jury. What is ordinary care in such cases, even though the facts are undisputed, is peculiarly a question of fact, to be determined by the jury under proper instructions. It is the judgment and experience of the jury, and not of the judge, which is to be appealed to. The refusal of the judge to withdraw the case from the jury cannot in any case be construed as an indication that in his opinion the jury ought to find in the plaintiff’s favor upon this question. On the contrary, it is his duty to submit it to the jury, if there is any evidence to justify a finding, although in his opinion its preponderance should be against the plaintiff. Fox v. Sackett, 10 Allen, 535. Warren v. Fitchburg Railroad Co. 8 Allen, 227. Meesel v. Lynn & Boston Railroad Co. Ib. 234. Reed v. Deerfield, Ib. 523. Gahagan v. Boston & Lowell Railroad Co. 1 Allen, 187.

A majority of the court are of opinion that the question of the plaintiff’s negligence in this case should have been submitted to the jury. There are elements disclosed which distinguish it from the simple case of a person crossing a railroad track without the permission of the corporation, and who may be regarded as a mere trespasser. The plaintiff was a passenger; the defendants had provided platforms for passengers to alight upon, on both sides of the track upon which the train in which he arrived stood; the plaintiff stepped from the car to the narrow platform which was constructed between the tracks and on the opposite side from the passenger-house. Two streets, Ferry aim Eagle, crossed the tracks obliquely within a few rods of ''he north side of the station buildings; and these streets crossed each other at right angles near the track. From the point at which the plaintiff started to cross, there was an open space extending along both, streets for some distance; and embracing a tract of land north of a building which until within a few months had been used as a passenger-house; and across which access was formerly had by hacks and carriages to the old house. There was at the time no railing or fence which would hinder passengers coming from or going to that part of Ferry Street from crossing by a shorter route this open space and one track, whenever the train stood upon the track nearest the present passenger-house; there was nothing to separate this open space from the located limits of the highway; and, assuming the truth of the plaintiff’s evidence, it was in fact used by passengers from that quarter, who crossed the open area and tracks to and from the narrow platform. The plaintiff gives a reason for desiring to go across to the north side of the old station-house. The night was very dark. Other passengers were standing upon the same platform, and were there when he stepped from the cars. He looked up and down the track, to see if anything was coming. There were no lights; no indications to him of an approaching engine. As he stepped upon the track, some one hallooed and laid his hand upon him, and at the same instant he was struck by an engine backing down upon him.

No one can be said to be in the exercise of due care who places himself upon a railroad track without the assurance from actual observation that there is no approaching train. But the degree of caution which he must exercise in crossing will be affected always by the circumstances of time and place. He has a right to rely to some extent upon proper precautions, and the usual signals of warning to be given by an engine or train passing a station where passengers are leaving another train upon its fresh arrival. So in passing a highway crossing, though bound to the exercise of due care, and not excused by the want of it in the other party, yet it is to be considered that certain signals are usually given by the train at those places, and these usual concomitants may to some extent be regarded in determining the degree of care.

It seems to us that there are other considerations in this case, touching the plaintiff’s care, which are peculiarly proper to be regarded by the jury. It is claimed by the plaintiff that the arrangement, situation and use of the premises by passengers,, was such as to afford an invitation or allurement, by implication, to him and others, to pass from the station across the track in the way attempted. /fAnd without doubt, if the situation and aspect of the place were such that, in connection with the actual use, the jury would be justified in regarding them as holding it out to the plaintiff as a suitable place for him on leaving the cars to cross, and he was thereby induced to attempt it, the measure of care required of him would be satisfied with far less vigilance and caution.j^On the other hand, the law requires no one ,to provide protection or safeguards for mere trespassers or wrongdoers, nor indeed for those who enter by mere permission without inducement held out by the owner. Such go at their own risk, and enjoy the license subject to its perils. Towards them there exists no unfulfilled obligation or duty on the part of the owner.

These suggestions are sufficient to justify the conclusion to which we arrive, that this point should have been submitted to the jury. We do not overlook the facts which already appear, from which it may be argued that the plaintiff was not in the exercise of due care; but it is not necessary that they be commented on here, and we express no opinion upon their weight. The jury will be required to give them due consideration when they settle the fact.

It is obvious that little light can be derived, upon the question of law here discussed, from previous decisions. What constitutes due care must depend upon the circumstances of each case. It cannot be defined as a matter of law; The case of Bancroft v. Boston & Worcester Railroad Co. 97 Mass. 275, relied on by the defendants, differs from this. In that case, the plaintiff’s intestate stepped from a safe platform and attempted to cross the track unnecessarily and knowing that the train which he left must obstruct his view towards the point from which trains in that direction approached the station. And in Pennsylvania Railroad Co. v. Zebe, 33 Perm. 318, cited as like this, the platform for passengers occupied only the side towards the station, and the plaintiff, stepping out of the cars on the other side, stepped directly down upon the track; nor does it appear that there was any open space or highway crossing in the vicinity, as in the case at bar. Willis v. Long Island Railroad Co. 34 N. Y. 679. Vinton v. Schwab, 32 Verm. 614. Elliott v. Pray 10 Allen, 378. Fordham v. London, Brighton & South Coast Railway Co. Law Rep. 3 C. P. 368.

Upon the other branch of the case, the evidence tending to show negligence of the defendants should have been submitted to the jury. j^The plaintiff was a passenger, and while that relation existed the defendants were bound to exercise towards him the utmost care and diligence in providing against those injuries which can be avoided by human foresight. He was entitled to this protection, so long as he conformed to the reasonable regulations of the company, not only while in the cars, but while upon the premises of the defendants; and this requires of the defendants due regard for the safety of passengers, as well in the location, construction and arrangement of their station buildings, platforms and means of egress, as in their previous transportation. It is argued in this case that the platforms were not properly constructed, lighted or guarded, and that the defendants were guilty of negligence in backing down the engine without proper lights or signals. The bare statement of these matters shows that it is appropriately the province of the jury to settle them. Warren v. Fitchburg Railroad Co. 8 Allen, 227. Bilbee v. London, Brighton & South Coast Railway Co. 18 C. B. (N. S.) 584. Johnson v. Hudson River Railroad Co. 2C N. Y. 65. Case to stand for trial