121 Minn. 273 | Minn. | 1913
This appeal is from a judgment rendered against defendant in a personal injury action. There was no motion for a new trial; therefore the only question that can be raised is: Was defendant, upon the pleadings and evidence, entitled to a judgment in its favor ?
In the milling district of Minneapolis defendant maintains extensive switchyards. From one of its lead tracks, 17 switch tracks diverge. This lead track runs substantially east and west. The diverging switch tracks are numbered from 1 to 17, and run parallel and as close together as' is practicable for operation. The switches for tracks 1, 2, and 3 are operated from a switch stand located between tracks 3 and 4. The switch lever or handle is about 2 feet 6 inches from the ground, and extends horizontally 1 foot 10 inches from the center of the switch stand. When the switch is set for track 1, the lever is turned away from track 4. When set for track 2, it is parallel with the tracks. When, however, it is necessary to set the switch for track 3, the lever or handle is turned toward track 4, and the end thereof, with its '7-inch upright prong, is then not more than 11J inches away from the side of a passing car on track 4 of the size of the one on which plaintiff was when injured. The top of this prong is nearly 2 inches lower than the stirrup on such a car.
Plaintiff was in the employ of defendant as a yard switchman for almost a year before the accident. On the night of March 30, 1911,. he was on duty, assisting in moving a string of cars on track 4 towards the east; the engine being at the west end of the string. Plaintiff was to the south óf the cars, where was also the switch stand described. He gave the stop signal when the cars came to the desired point, and uncoupled those to be left there. He was then three or four car lengths to the east of this switch. As the engine, with a few cars still attached to it, started back towards the west, plaintiff caught onto the end of the rear or most easterly car at the corner thereof next to track 3, placing one foot on the stirrup, a strip of iron fastened to the sill
Defendant claims that it was entitled to judgment, because (a) plaintiff failed to prove the negligence charged against it; (b) the evidence conclusively showed that plaintiff had assumed the risk; and (c) plaintiff’s negligence was the proximate cause of the injury.
The negligence alleged against defendant was in maintaining the switch stand so that the handle thereof, when the switch was set for track 3, endangered the safety of employees in the act of boarding or getting off that side of cars passing over track 4, and also failure to keep a light out on the switch stand. It seems palpably clear that the position of this switch handle, when the switch for track 3 was set, and especially at night, when no light was maintained to show its dangerous proximity to passing cars, amply sustains a finding of negligence. We do not understand that appellant’s counsel seriously contend to the contrary. The fact, if such it be,- that defendant fully informed plaintiff of the dangers of the switchyard, or even of this particular switch, does not entirely wipe out the negligence in the location of the stand and failure to light it when darkness hid its dangers. Furthermore, the instructions given plaintiff concerning the dangers of this switch and the knowledge he had thereof do not conclusively prove that defendant’s negligence became of no consequence because thereof. Certain it is that it cannot be said as a matter of law that there is no evidence of the negligence pleaded.
Defendant pleaded assumption of risk as a defense. It now insists that the evidence conclusively shows that plaintiff knew the location and condition of the switch, and deliberately took the chance of
It is true the defense of assumption of risk was not submitted to the jury, nor was there a request so to do. But on this appeal from the judgment, where the only error assigned is that on the pleadings' and evidence defendant should have judgment, the court’s failure to submit all the issues to the jury, or the manner in which it was done, is of no importance.
It is also contended that defendant was entitled to judgment, because plaintiff’s failure to care for his own safety was the proximate cause of his injury. This contention is without merit. If, -as we first indicated, there was evidence of defendant’s negligence, and it cannot be said as a matter of law.that plaintiff assumed the risk, then it clearly follows that, under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act, contributory negligence does not defeat recovery. It is available only in reduction of damages. The complaint alleged facts which brought the action within the Federal act mentioned, and the evidence established the allegations.
The judgment must be affirmed.