Louisville & N. R. R. v. Brown

127 Ky. 732 | Ky. Ct. App. | 1908

Opinion op the Court by

Judge Carroll

Reversing.

Appellee, who was a head hrakeman on one of appellant’s freight trains while riding in the engine, was seriously injured in a head-on collision between the engine in which he was riding and1 one of appellant’s work trains. The work train was on the main track on the time of the freight train, and although the engineer of the work train testified that he directed a hrakeman to flag the freight, and supposed he had done so, it developed that he had not, and the freight, running at a high rate of speed, had no notice that the work train was on the track until the engine was within a few feet of it, and when it was too late to stop or reduce the speed or avoid a collision. As a result of the collision, appellee was thrown under a large mass of wood and iron, and so fastened that he could not immediately be extricated. "While in this position, where he remained for about an hour, the wreck caught fire, and appellee believed, and, indeed, had good reason to believe, that he would be burned to'death before he could be rescued; but fortunately, before the fire reached him, he was removed from his perilous position, and, escaped with severe injuries to one of his feet and some other parts of his body. He alleged in his petition to recover damages that “the agents and servants of defendant, in charge of the trains and superior in authority to plaintiff, managed and operated the trains and their crews with such gross negligence and carelessness that they came together in a head-on collision, whereby he sustained permanent injury and suffered great mental and physical pain.” In its answer, after traversing the material averments of the petition and charging that appellee was guilty of contributory negligence, it set up in a separate paragraph that '“the collision was due solely to the ordinary negligence of the flagman of the work train, who was then and there in the same field of labor and the same grade of employment as plaintiff in the employ of a common master, and was not superior in authority, but was his fellow servant. ’ ’ On motion of appellee this defense was stricken from the answer. Upon the trial appellee recovered a judgment for $10,000, which we are asked to reverse (1) because the trial court erred in permitting testimony to go to the jury showing the negligence of the brakeman on the work train; (2) in striking from the answer the words before mentioned; (3) in failing to instruct the jury that there could not be a recovery unless the persons in charge of the work train were guilty of gross negligence; (4) in admitting testimony of appellee and other witnesses that while under the wreck of the colliding engines he was in danger of being burned to death; (5) in allowing photographs of the scene of the collision to be introduced in evidence; (6.) that the damages are grossly excessive.

We will consider the first, second, and third assignments of error together. It was the duty of the engineer and conductor in charge of the work train to know that proper measures had been taken to flag the freight or notify it that the work train was on the track. They knew the freight was due, and that they were on the main track on its time. Although the engineer testifies that he directed a brakeman to flag the freight, and supposed he had done so, his attempted' performance of duty will not relieve the company from liability for the accident. The conductor and engineer were in control of the work train, and were charged with the duty of taking every possible precaution to see to it that timely warning was given to the approaching freight They, as well as the brakeman, were guilty of gross negligence, although the company would be liable to appellee if they, or the brakeman alone, had1 only been guilty of ordinary neglect.' Neither the conductor nor engineer on the work train, or the brakeman who participated, in their negligence and equally with them was guilty of a failure to discharge his duty, were fellow servants of appellee in the sense that appellee could not recover for their negligence. It has been frequently ruled by this court that a servant for injuries not resulting in death cannot recover from the master for the ordinary negligence of his superior officers. Kentucky Distilleries & Warehouse Co. v. Schrieber, 73 S. W. 769, 24 Ky. Law Rep. 2236; C., N. O. & T. P. Ry. Co. v. Palmer, 98 Ky. 382, 17 Ky. Law Rep. 998, 33 S. W. 199; Greer v. L. & N. R. R. Co., 94 Ky. 169, 14 Ky. Law Rep. 876, 21 S. W. 649, 42 Am. St. Rep. 345; Linck’s Adm’r v. L. & N. R. R. Co., 107 Ky. 370, 54 S. W. 184, 21 Ky. Law Rep. 1097. But this doctrine .is iimited in its application to cases in which the servant is injured by the negligence of the superior officer who has immediate control of or supervision over him. To illustrate: If appellee had been injured by the negligence of the engineer or conductor on his train, lie could not recover damages against the company unless they were guilty of gross neglect. The reason of this rule is that the servant, when he engaged to work, undertakes'that he will assume the ordinary risks incident to:the.employment, and. will not hold the master liable for the ordinary negligence of those employes with whom he is engaged, whose actions and conduct he can obsei \ e and, if necessary, guard against.

This doctrine of assumed risk by the servant has been further extended by this court until now it is well established that a servant cannot recover from the master for injuries inflicted by' the negligence of a fellow servant in the same grade of employment' engaged in the same field of labor, and associated or working with the injured servant, however gross the negligence of the fellow servant may be. Hence, if appellee had been injured by the negligence of a fellow brakesman on the train he was working on, without any fault on the part of the conductor, or engineer, or other superior, or breach of duty on the part of the company, he could not recover in this action. In L., C. & R. Co. v. Cavens’ Adm’r, 9 Bush, 559, the proposition before us was under considerationby the court, and it was said: “It is well settled that where one enters into the service of another he assumes to run all the, ordinary risks pertaining to such service; and this means only that he cannot recover for any injury that his employer, by the exercise of ordinary care and prudence, could not provide against. And it is equally as well established that, where a number of persons contract to perform service for another, the employes not .being superior or subordinate the one to the other in its performance, and one receives an injury by the neglect of another in the discharge of his duty, they are regarded as substantially the agents of each other, and no recovery can be had against the employer. Public policy requires that, where the laborers are co-equals and engaged in laboring in the same field, or on the same railroad train, or in any other employment, each should exercise proper care in the conduct of the business, and look to it that Ms co-laborer does the same thing; and, when he is told that this care and prudence is- his only remedy against danger from the negligence of those employed with him, it not only makes him the more careful, but stimulates him to see that others exercise the same caution.” And this principle was fully recognized and applied in L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Sanders’ Adm’r, 44 S. W. 644, 19 Ky. Law Rep. 1941; Volz v. C. & O. Ry. Co., 95 Ky. 188, 24 S. W. 119, 15 Ky. Law Rep. 727; Dana v. Blackburn, 90 S. W. 237, 28 Ky. Law Rep. 695; Martin v. Mason & Hoge Co., 91 S. W. 1146, 28 Ky. Law Rep. 1333; Pitts, Hankins & Trundell v. Centers, 98 S. W. 300, 30 Ky. Law Rep. 311.

But when the servant is injured by employes of the same master, who are not directly associated with him, and with whom he is not immediately employed, and whose qualifications for the place they occupy he has no means of knowing, and in whose selection he has no voice, and over whose conduct and actions he has no control, and against whose negligence and carelessness he cannot protect himself, he may recover damages from the master for injuries received through their negligence, whether it be ordinary or gross, and without any reference to the position or place the servant causing the injury holds. And so appellee, whose injuries were directly caused by the negligence of the employes on the work train, may recover from the company, without regard to wMch one of them was guilty of the neglect that resulted in his injuries. The distinction between the liability of the master for injuries to the servant, when the injury is caused by the neglect of those engaged directly with, the servant, and when it is dne to the carelessness of employes not immediately associated with him, was first recognized by this court in L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Collins, 2 Duv. 114, 87 Am. Dec. 486, in a case against the company to recover damages for personal injuries inflicted by the negligence of the engineer, where it was said: “The company is responsible for the negligence or unskillfulness of its engineer as its controlling agent in the management of its locomotives and running cars; and that responsibility is graudated by the classes of persons injured by the engineer’s neglect or want of skill. As to strangers, ordinary negligence is sufficient. As to subordinate employes associated with the engineer in conducting the cars, the negligence must be gross. As to employes in a different department of service unconnected with the running operations, ordinary negligence may be sufficient.”

And subsequently this distinction was more clearly expressed and applied thus: In Kentucky Central Ry. Co. v. Ackley, 87 Ky. 278, 10 Ky. Law Rep. 170, 8 S. W. 691, 12 Am. St. Rep. 480, the action was brought for personal injuries received by Ackley, who was engineer upon a passenger train, resulting from a collision with a freight train of the company. It was contended by the company that, as the injuries were caused by the negligence of employes in the same grade of employment as the person injured, there could be no recovery. But the court, in rejecting this contention, quoted with approval the principle announced in L., C. & L. R. Co. v. Caven’s Adm’r, supra, saying: “It is argued in that case that the rule should be applied that when a number of persons contract to perform a service for another, the employes not being superior or subordinate to each other in its performance, and one is injured through the negligence of another, they are to be regarded as the agents of each other, and no recovery can be had against tire employer. But it was held that a different rule prevails when the employment is several, and when one is subordinate to the other, or occupies such a position in the service with reference to his co-laborer as precludes him having any control over his actions or the right to advise even as to the manner in which the service is to be performed.” In Illinois Central Ry. v. Hilliard, 99 Ky. 684, 37 S. W. 75, 18 Ky. Law Rep. 505, .Hilliard, who was a conductor, was injured by the giving way of a ladder on one of the ears in his train. The company requested the court to say to the jury that the car inspector, whose duty it was to keep the ladders in repair, and the conductor, were fellow servants engaged in the same line of.service, and that Hilliard could not recover unless the jury believed the inspector guilty of gross negligence. This court, in commenting on this request, said that the instruction was- properly refused, the conductor and inspector ‘ ‘ acted in different spheres, and neither could or was required to know whether the other was properly doing his duty, ’ ’ and held that the company was liable for the ordinary negligence of the inspector.

In L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Lowe, 118 Ky. 260, 25 Ky. Law Rep. 2317, 80 S. W. 768, 65 L. R. A. 122, C., N. O. & T. P. Ry. Co. v. Hill’s Adm’r, 89 S. W. 523, 28 Ky. Law Rep. 530, and L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Hiltner, 56 S. W. 654, 21 Ky. Law Rep. 1826, the rule announced in the Collins, Cávens, and Ackley cases was followed. In the cases of L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Robinson, 4 Bush, 507; L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Rains, 23 S. W. 505, 15 Ky. Law Rep. 423, and Robinson v. L. & N. R. R. Co., 24 S. W. 625, 15 Ky. Law Rep. 626, it was apparently held that an employe on one train conld not recover from the company for the negligence of the employes on another train unless their negligence was gross; hut these cases may now be regarded as having been overruled by the later ones above referred to, and it must be considered as no longer an open question in this State that there may be a recovery in a case like the one before us, although the negligence of the person causing it was ordinary. Hence the court correctly instructed the jury, if they believed from the evidence that the injury to plaintiff’s foot was the direct result of negligence on the part of the agents or servants of the defendant in charge of the work train, they should find for the plaintiff.

Nor did the court err in striking from the answer the defense that the brakeman on the work train was a fellow servant of appellee, and therefore the company was not responsible to appellee for his neglect.

Appellee was permitted to testify that, while he was pinioned in the debris of the wreck, he knew it was. on fire and was fearful that he would be burned to death before he could be extricated; and other witnesses were allowed to say that they saw the fire burning close to him. In our opinion it was eompe, tent to permit appellee to testify as to the mental anguish and pain that he suffered while he was fastened in the wreck. If he had not sustained any physical injury, he- could not recover at all for the mental suffering he endured, as was said in Morse v. C. & O. Ry. Co., 117 Ky. 11, 25 Ky. Law Rep. 1159, 77 S. W. 361: “Damages cannot be recovered for mental suffering alone in an action for personal injuries based on negligence, unaccompanied by some direct contemporaneous injury to the person.”- -But where there is a physical injury there may be a recovery for it, as well as the mental pain and suffering, occasioned by and accompanying it. Mental as well as physical suffering directly caused by an injury is a part of the compensation to which the injured person is entitled; and in the cases, without exception, that have come under our notice, the jury have always been instructed that they might compensate for mental as well as physical pain. Alexander v. Humber, 86 Ky. 565, 9 Ky. Law Rep. 734, 6 S. W. 453. As it was competent for appellee to describe fully and accurately his pain and suffering after be was extricated from the wreck and daring the time the cure was being effected, and in fact up to the time of the trial, we are unable to understand upon what theory it can be maintained that it was not competent for him to relate the torture he endured when under the wreck and in momentary danger of being burned.to death. In our opinion it is not at all material or important whether the mental suffering is contemporaneous with the reception,of the injury or subsequent to it, if it is the direct result of it. In the able and exhaustive opinion in Denver & Rio Grande R. Co. v. Roller, 100 Fed. 738, 41 C. C. A. 22, 49 L. R. A. 77, this question was fully covered, and the conclusion reached that evidence of this character is competent.

It was also admissible for appellee, as well as those who- saw him under the wreck, to describe the surroundings and conditions that existed, so that the jury might know all the facts and circumstances of appellee’s situation when injured. The accuracy of the photographs was testified to by the person who took them, and they furnished to the jury a more complete and realistic picture of the wreck of the colliding engines than could be obtained from any other source. The wreck could not be seen by the jury, nor could it be accurately described by the witnesses; but from an inspection of the photographs the jury could obtain a more correct impression and a better understanding of the situation than in any other way. Denver & Rio Grande R. Co. v. Roller, supra, 11 Am. & Eng. Ency. of Law, p. 539, 17 Cyc. 414.

Although there was no error in the admission of evidence or the instructions given by the court, we feel constrained to reverse the judgment upon the ground that the verdict is excessive. If there was sufficient evidence to show appellee’s injuries were permanent, we would not interfere with the finding of the jury upon this point; but there is not. That he sustained severe injury, not only to his foot but other parts of his body, there is no doubt; but, whether they are permanent or not is another question. Appellee, in answer to the question, “Is your foot permanently injured or not?” answered, “I believe it is. ’ ’ Dr. Sorry, the only physician who testified for appellee, said that he had made only one examinatioiL of appellee’s foot, and that a few days before the trail. The material parts of bis evidence are as follows: “Q. Tell the character of his injuries from your examination, and whether or not you think it is permanent.- A. Yes, sir; I think it is. Q. Did you make an examination with the X-rays to ascertain whether or not the bones were sound? A. no, sir. Q. You predicate your opinion about the permanency of the injury upon the fact that it should turn out that the bone is diseased? A. I take it the bones were diseased from the fact of the time it has been healing. If there was no disease of the bone, it seems like it would heal. Q. You predicate your answer solely upon that? A. Prom the length of time and the appearance of the wound.- Q. You don’t know whether or not the bone is injured? A. No, sir; the symptoms indicate that, by having a running sore for several months. Q. If there has been no injury to the bone, and no diseased condition of the bone, do you think it will not heal? A. If - there is no disease of the bone, that flesh wound will heal yes, sir.’’

For appellant the two physicians who treated appellee were introduced, and testified that, they made ah examination of appellee’s foot with the X-rays, and in answer to questions said: “Q. I will ask you whether any of the bone's of his foot or ankle or leg are broken or affected. A. No, sir; they are not. Q. Tell the jury how you know it? A. Well, simply by examination at the time of the accident, and while the wound was fresh. Q. Have you ever examined it with the X-rays? A. Yes, sir; examined it with the X-rays, and I also asked Dr. Nesbitt to examine it with them-. Q. Did both of you examine it with the X-rays? A. Yes, sir. .Q- Is there any injury at all to the bone? A. No, sir; there is not. Q. What was the nature of the wound, that causes it to be so long healing? A. It was a'flesh wound and considerable bruise; the muscles torn, and the skin considerably bruised, and a tear and laceration also.” These doctors also testified in substance and effect that his injuries were temporary. It will be observed that the physician who testified for appellee made only one examination, and that without using the X-rays, and his conclusion that the foot was permanently injured was based on the fact that in his opinion the bones of the foot were diseased; while the physicians who treated him for the injury, and who examined his foot frequently and with the X-rays, say that the bones are not injured, and that in time the foot will be restored to its normal condition.

We are not aware of any case in which the court has sustained a verdict as large as this one unless the injuries were permanent. The fact that the negligence was gross, and that punitive damages were allowed, and that appellee was entitled to more than mere compensation for his mental and physical suffering, does not imply that a jury are at liberty, unrestrained, to award by way of punitive damages any amount, however large it may be. This court has the same power and discretion to set aside a verdict, when excessive, in cases involving punitive damages as it has where only compensation is recovered. In every ease, if the verdict appears to have been given under the influence of passion or prejudice, a new trial will be granted. L. & N. R. R. Co. v. Long, 94 Ky. 410, 15 Ky. Law Rep. 199, 22 S. W. 747; Standard Oil Co. v. Tierney, 92 Ky. 367, 13 Ky. Law Rep. 626, 17 S. W. 1025, 14 L. R. A. 677, 36 Am. St. Rep. 595. As was said by this court in Louisville Railway Co. v. Minogue, 90 Ky. 369, 12 Ky. Law Rep. 378, 14 S. W. 357, 29 Am. St. Rep. 378: “It is impossible to measure with anything like absolute certainty the amount of punitive damages proper in a case, or the extent of some of the elements of those which are compensatory. The opinion of a jury has been, and properly, no doubt, regarded as the best means of even a fair approximation, and every verdict should be treated prima facie as the result of honest judgment upon their part. They are the constitutional triors of the facts of the case, and courts should exercise great caution in interfering with, their verdicts. Litigants must not he left, however, to their arbitrary will, and be without remedy in cases where verdicts can be accounted for only upon the theory that they are the result of an improper sympathy or unreasonable prejudice.”

It will readily be conceded that it is peculiarly within the province of the jury to fix the amount of damage that a person is entitled to for mental and physical suffering, and will also be agreed that there is no rule by which the amount that should be awarded can be measured. For these reasons this court has always been reluctant to interfere with the finding of a jury upon the question of damages, and especially is this true when the injury is permanent, or of such character as to disable the injured person from pursuing his usual occupation or employment, or one that will cause him to suffer serious pain probably through life. But, if appellee’s foot should be fully restored, and there is a complete recovery, and he is placed in the same physical condition as he was before the injury, it appears to us at first blush that the verdict is too large. The future effect of the injury should be shown with reasonable certainty to authorize damages upon the score of permanent injury.

For the error in the amount of damages, the judgment must be reversed, with directions for a new trial.