108 So. 388 | Ala. | 1926
Lead Opinion
The plaintiff recovered a judgment in the court below, and the trial court granted defendant's motion for a new trial, and the plaintiff appeals.
It is well settled that, when the trial court grants a motion for a new trial, the same inferences and presumptions in favor of his action in doing so are indulged as would be in case he refused a motion for new trial, and this is so whether he assigns the proper reason for doing so or not.
It is settled law by the decisions of a majority of the states as well as the United States Supreme Court that, when the master is sued jointly with his servant for the misfeasance or malfeasance of said servant, and is liable for the conduct of said servant under the doctrine of respondeat superior, a verdict in favor of such servant entitles the master to have the verdict against him set aside. A Supreme Lodge v. Gustin,
The case of A. C. L. R. R. v. Carroll,
It is insisted, and brought out in the opinion of Justice THOMAS (now the dissenting opinion), that the action of the trial court should be reversed, for the reason that the jury may have found for the plaintiff under count 4, which charged wanton misconduct to a servant or servants other than the engineer. As we understand, inferences and presumptions should be in favor of the trial court, and should not be indulged for the purpose of a reversal. Had the jury specified count 4 in their verdict that would have excluded count 2, but the jury found a general verdict. Moreover, the record fails to disclose a written or oral instruction informing *494 the jury that they could not find against the railroad, unless they also found against the engineer, and it would be a rather violent presumption that the verdict was based on count 4 alone.
In this discussion we do not wish to hold or intimate that there was sufficient evidence to take the case to the jury under count 4 upon the idea that the fireman was guilty of wanton misconduct.
The judgment of the circuit court is affirmed.
Affirmed.
ANDERSON, C. J., and SAYRE, SOMERVILLE, GARDNER, and MILLER, JJ., concur.
Dissenting Opinion
The suit by an administratrix for the wanton injury and death of her intestate was against the defendant corporation and the engineer in charge of the engine causing the injury.
The first, third, and fourth counts charged both defendants with liability as joint tort-feasors, without specific reference therein to the doctrine of respondeat superior. Count 1, for simple negligence, was eliminated by the charge of the court. Count 2 was for the subsequent negligence of the engineer after discovery of the peril of the said intestate. The action of the court was not invoked by defendant to apply the principle of respondeat superior insisted upon in the motion for new trial; this count being susceptible to the doctrine. The general affirmative charge No. 23 was refused. The verdict, being in favor of the engineer, was therefore not rested upon count 2. The third count charges the "defendants wantonly and wrongfully caused or allowed" said engine to run upon or against or strike plaintiff's intestate, etc. The defendant corporation did invoke the doctrine as to this count in charge 46. However, the count was eliminated as to the corporation by given charges 58 and 60.
Count 4 charges each defendant with being a joint tort-feasor in causing the injury and death through a servant or agent "of defendants acting within the line and scope of his authority as such servant or agent of defendants wantonly and wrongfully * * * allowing said locomotive engine to run upon or against or strike plaintiff's intestate," etc. Affirmative charges were requested and refused as to this count — 12 to 17, inclusive. Charge 33, requested by defendants, "You are instructed that you cannot consider whether the fireman was looking or not looking under count 4," was refused. The foregoing charges are to be considered in connection with the assigned reason for the new trial: "that the court having [had] refused defendants' requested charges asserting said principle of law and the jury having [had] found the defendant railway company guilty and its engineer Houppert not guilty," etc.
The case was submitted to the jury on counts 2 and 4, and resulted in a verdict for plaintiff against the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company, and no reference was made to the other defendant. The effect of this verdict was a finding of not guilty as to the engineer. Burgin v. Sugg,
On motion of the defendant railway company, the judgment against it was set aside, and a new trial was granted; the assigned reasons being:
"* * * The court is of the opinion that, inasmuch as the evidence showed without conflict that plaintiff's cause of action, at least in so far as it was presented by counts 2 and 3, was based upon the alleged wrongful or negligent act of the defendant Houppert committed while acting within the scope of his authority as engineer for the defendant St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company, there could, according to the authorities cited in paragraph 18 in the case of Supreme Lodge Loyal O. of M. v. Gustin,
It has been declared that, where a count charges (in an action ex delicto) several defendants with a joint tort, and the evidence supports the count that one, or a less number of defendants than is charged, is found to be guilty, a verdict so rendered will be sustained. Southern Ry. Co. v. Arnold,
Plaintiff's intestate was killed at Dora by a train of the railway company operated by defendant Houppert as locomotive engineer. The train was a passenger train moving at a high rate of speed from Birmingham to Memphis, and, while intestate was walking along the track in the same direction the train was going, he was struck and killed. The train had just emerged from a cut, and was on a curve. The engineer was on the right side. Intestate had walked along a path or trail on the left side of the track, and stepped on the track ahead of the train, and the engineer testified that he could not see him from his side of the engine because of the position and height of the engine and the sharp curve in the track. The question of the frequency of use of the path at that point was in conflict, as was the question of signals of approach.
The concession is properly made that, where a complaint charges two defendants with a joint tort, and shows on the face of that pleading that one is the master and the other is the servant acting alone for the master, and that the master had no connection with the negligence, except through that servant, made a joint defendant with the master, the master would be entitled to a charge that, unless the jury find that the servant was guilty of the negligence charged, the jury could not find the master liable. However, after the verdict against the master, who was shown to be liable by the evidence, the latter has no cause of complaint, because the verdict of liability did not also include the servant. That is to say, when a count of a complaint charges more than one person with a joint negligence, without averments sufficient to invoke the rule of respondeat superior (even though it is shown that there was a field for the operation of said rule), and the jury returned a verdict against the employer defendant, that was liable solely through that rule for the negligence of the other, the meritorious complaint under such a finding is that of the plaintiff, and not the defendant against whom the judgment was rendered. The reason for such decisions is that such finding alone did not conclusively show that there was insufficient evidence to sustain the verdict rendered against the employer defendant. A. C. L. R. Co. v. Carroll,
In Illinois Cent. R. Co. v. Murphy's Adm'r,
"* * * We are so clearly convinced that there was actionable negligence by the company in the manner of the running of the train at that point, and under the circumstances proven, that the verdict of the jury, though based on less substantial grounds, ought not to be disturbed.
"It does not follow that the same verdict need have been rendered against the company and its engineer. We can think of cases where possibly the engineer ought to be held to the stricter account, and vice versa; but, let that be as it may, if the plaintiff is entitled to his verdict against two tort-feasors, but the jury are able to agree only as to one of them, and gives a verdict accordingly, we know of no law that prevents the plaintiff from having at least what the jury has given him. If he failed to get the verdict against another also liable, the plaintiff may be aggrieved, but not the defendant." Stuart v. Standard, etc., Co.,
This rule is adhered to in Texas. Texas P. R. Co. v. Huber (Tex.Civ.App.)
The Kansas court said of this situation after verdict:
"* * * The effect of the verdict is the same as though separate actions had been commenced, one against the company, and one against the motorman. A somewhat similar situation existed in Kansas City v. File,
The Mississippi court declared, through Mr. Justice Whitfield, that —
"The only remaining defense is the technical one, founded in the rules of pleading and practice, to wit, that the verdict and judgment exonerating the conductor necessarily and logically resulted inevitably in the exoneration also of the master. The reasoning is that the master can only be responsible, in a case like this, because the servant is, on the doctrine of respondeat superior. It is said with great ingenuity and ability that the master can only be derivatively liable; that is, he is liable, if at all, only because of the act of the servant, when that act makes the servant liable, and a verdict, as in this case, for the conductor, and against the defendant, is inconsistent, irregular, and illogical. The Texas Supreme Court, in Railway Co. v. James,
"In the case of Railroad Co. v. Clarke,
The Mississippi statute referred to bears a strong similarity to the rule obtaining in this jurisdiction. Crawford v. Mills,
In A. C. L. R. Co. v. Carroll,
"Whether the trial court erroneously or not gave the general charge in favor of B. C. Dowling, one of the defendants, is a point as to which this appellant cannot complain, as it could have been sued jointly or separately, and could be made liable for the entire judgment. Acts 1915, p. 605. The cases of Mayer v. Thompson,
The testimony in this last case showed that Dowling was acting for the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, though a city official.
The common-law rule was abolished in this state by the remedial procedure prescribed by the act of September 18, 1915 (Acts, p. 605), which gives the right of amendment as to parties at any time, and provides that "the plaintiff may recover such judgment as he may be entitled to against any one or more of the defendants." Crawford v. Mills,
Thus we are brought to a consideration of the evidence under that count. It is the duty of a railroad company, operating a train through a city, town, or village, not only to perform the statutory duty of blowing a whistle or ringing a bell at short intervals while entering into or moving through such city, town, or village, but to keep a lookout ahead while so moving, and, if the engineer is not in position where he can see, it follows that this duty must be performed by the fireman, or some one else. St. L. S. F. Ry. Co. v. Dennis,
The jury's verdict referred to count 4, ascertained and declared that the defendant's other employee in service on the engine was required to discharge the duty, at the time, place, and in the circumstances of keeping a proper lookout, and to observe other due precautions to prevent injury to those of the general public who might in all reasonable probability be exposed to the danger of the rapidly on-coming train, and that verdict against the defendant corporation further ascertained and declared the employer liable in fact and in law for a failure of such duty *497 under the circumstances that directly resulted in the death of intestate.
The case cited by the trial court (
"If the jury believes from the evidence that the Birmingham Lodge No. 432, Loyal Order of Moose, were not negligent in and about the death of the plaintiff's intestate, the court charges you that you cannot find a verdict against the Supreme Lodge of the World, Loyal Order of Moose.
" 'The court charges the jury that, if, under the law and the evidence in this case, the Birmingham Lodge, No. 432, Loyal Order of Moose, has not been shown to have been guilty of negligence in and about the alleged death of the plaintiff's intestate, I charge you that the Supreme Lodge of the World, Loyal Order of Moose, would not be liable.' "
They merely sought to apply the doctrine that, if two defendants are sued jointly, and it appears from the evidence that one, if liable at all, is liable only through the other defendant, then the jury should be charged, at the request of the former defendant, that, unless negligence is shown by the latter, the former could not be held liable. It may be conceded that, if the predicate of the charge is true, there is no basis of liability. This is different from the instance that, though the representative is guilty of negligence in such sort as to bind the principal, the principal cannot be held, no matter how complete a case is made out against the principal, because the jury fails to find against the representative. That the Gustin Case,
We have observed that count 4 does not charge the negligence solely to the defendant's engineer Houppert, but on the servants or agents, etc. Under the evidence there was a tendency, or inference, of negligence charging the defendant employer other than that shown against its engineer Houppert. As the train proceeded at a rapid rate through the town of Dora, and where the track was that of a curve, or a reverse curve, the engineer was in his place on the right side of the engine (and on the inner side of the curve in the track) and a distance of about 40 feet from the front of the engine. The engineer could not at all times at that place see to the other side of the engine and its immediate proximity, unless the track and engine is so that the latter is pointed as not to obscure his vision. This is by reason of its height and length of its boiler — or the front part of the engine being tall and long and the curve in the track as indicated by the engineer as a witness. The fireman was not a witness, yet the engineer showed him to have been on the left side of the engine, in his place, and on the outside of the curve of the track. His lookout to the front was not so obscured as was that of the engineer. The evidence showed that the deceased was walking on that side, the south side, of the track as related to the curve, and in close proximity, not noticing the approach of the train, and had his head down, and that he had so proceeded for about 200 feet. There was conflict in the evidence as to whether the usual or required signals were given as the train proceeded at speed through the town of Dora where people frequent in numbers. The evidence shows that the fireman discovered the deceased, or object collided with, for that he gave immediate notice to the engineer of such injury, and did not give notice before that impact and injury. The engineer immediately stopped the train and discovered the injury to plaintiff's intestate. There is no positive evidence that the fireman was keeping watch and lookout preceding and before the moment of impact.
The engineer, as a witness for defendants, thus states the situation as to himself and the fireman: That he was keeping a lookout ahead constantly from the time he left that road crossing until he struck this man; that he was sitting on the seat box, looking ahead, along the track; that there was a reverse curve in that track between the road crossing and the depot. "That is between the last road crossing towards Birmingham from Dora and the point where I struck Mr. Walker." He stated that the track "curves to the left at the road crossing at Dora." As to how far that left curve extends toward Dora from the road crossing witness did not know. His best judgment was "about 150 feet. It starts again and curves to the right, and curves back again to the left;" that the second curve was "about 100 feet." Witness was "keeping a lookout ahead all the time. There was no obstruction except my engine between the crossing and the depot. * * * You can see the far end of the depot from the crossing. * * * I judge the double reverse curve would be about 650 or 700 feet *498 from the time you leave the road crossing until you get to the depot." He then states as to the fireman:
That he was a man named Tribble; that witness "did not know whether he is here. * * * I couldn't say as to whether the fireman was keeping a lookout. * * * I suppose he was." "You ask whether or not it was his duty to keep a lookout coming through that town? I answer, No, sir; he don't have to set up there and look out. He is supposed to keep the engine hot. You ask whether he was familiar with the road? I answer, He had been running over this same place for a year or two, two years, maybe. We had no other lookout besides myself and the fireman. [Italics supplied.] You ask, What was the fireman doing at that time? I answer, Well, I was looking; I couldn't exactly say. * * * I was working steam all the way through Dora. I wasn't increasing my speed. * * * I was running between 25 and 30 miles an hour. * * * I couldn't say whether the fireman was firing up at that time. As to whether I could tell whether he was firing without seeing him, I answer, He might have been sweeping the deck off. You ask whether I have to see the fireman to know whether he is firing? I answer, If I was looking at him, I could tell, I wasn't. I would have to look at him to see whether he was firing. You ask whether I couldn't hear and feel it? I answer, Well, lots of times he will open the door, and you can't tell whether he is putting in coal or not. On that occasion he wasn't putting in coal. [Italics supplied.] You ask, Well, he could not be firing? I answer, Iwasn't looking. [Italics supplied.] You have to have the door open to fire, and you have to close it right after putting the fuel in. I don't know positively whether he was opening or closing the door."
If the scene of the injury had been in the country, and where the same was not a populous place or territory, or at a time when a sharp lookout was not required by the known facts, this failure of those ordinarily charged with the duty of keeping watch would be effective against the charge of negligence or wantonness on the part of the fireman. However, under the evidence as to the time and place of a large and populous community, the speed of the train, and its character as obstructing the track at curves, it could not be said as a matter of law that negligence and culpability may not be imputed to the fireman in view of the inability of the engineer situated as he was to duly keep the lookout. This fact was recently adverted to in Illinois Cent. R. Co. v. Martin,
"One of the precautions or duties imposed upon trainmen in passing a point known by them to be in such continuous use as a passway by pedestrians that some one is likely to be in a position of danger, is to keep a lookout. If a curve in the track cuts off a proper lookout by the engineer, the duty devolves upon the fireman. If obstructions interfere, other precautions, such as reducing speed or giving warning signals, should be taken. The duty of keeping a lookout under such conditions applies to trespassers. To run at a high rate of speed through such zone without keeping a lookout may evidence such conscious disregard of duty in the face of known danger to life as that the jury may infer wantonness.
"Under the evidence above outlined, if the presence of the plaintiff dangerously near or on the track was never discovered by either the engineer or fireman, it became a question for the jury whether a proper lookout was being kept, notwithstanding their testimony."
It is shown by the evidence that the locus in quo of the injury, and the conditions thereof at the time and place, the speed of the train, whether or not signals were given, the position of the engineer in the engine, the footpath along the way, the condition of the track and front of the engine thereon, and the position of the intestate when struck, were known to the fireman. And if under these circumstances he failed in his duty in the premises and the due operation of the engine at the time and place, and in keeping a lookout upon the curve where the engineer could not fully do so, then a jury question of wanton injury to an invitee or to a trespasser would have been presented. A. G. S. R. Co. v. Guest, Adm'r,
The fact that the train may not have been brought to a full stop after discovery of the peril of intestate is no answer for a failure of duty. Had the engineer been informed by vision or by the fireman keeping a proper lookout, a signal or diminution of speed of the train may have saved the life of intestate by putting the latter to preventive effort. L. N. R. Co. v. Calvert,
Under this pleading indicated and the evidence, the cases collected in Karges Furniture Co. v. Amalgamated Woodworkers Local Union No. 131,
The case of Fields v. Williams,
The decision of National Baking Co. v. Wilson,
And in Crescent Motor Co. v. Stone,
"There is no merit in the contention of a variance between the allegations and the proof. It is a well-settled rule of law that in actions of tort against two or more defendants jointly, where the proof fails as to any one, a verdict may be rendered against the other or others as to whom the proof is sufficient without thereby in law constituting a variance."
In the case of Warner-Smiley Co. v. Cooper,
"The principle is well established and recognized that in actions for tort, as a general rule, where two or more are jointly sued as defendants, according to the proof, a recovery may be had as to all, or any number less than all. But this rule is not without its exception, as, for instance, where the action is in case for a negligent performance of, or a negligent failure to perform, a duty arising out of a contract, whereby injury and damages result. In such a case the averment of the contract from which the alleged duty springs is made a material allegation of the complaint, which must be proven as charged, or else there is a fatal variance between the allegation and the proof."
The rules that are pertinent are: (1) Where there is a variance between the allegations and proof "which could be cured by an amendment of the pleading," the trial court will not be put in error, unless specific information or informing ground be stated in the objection to the admission of testimony or affirmative instruction provided thereon (rule 34); and (2) when the general charge is requested predicated upon proof of time, venue, "or any other point not involving a substantive right of recovery or defense, or because of some immaterial omission in the evidence of the plaintiff or defendant," the trial court will not be put in error for refusing said charge, unless the point upon which that charge was requested was brought to the attention of the trial court before the argument of the case was concluded (rule 35). The reasons for the respective rules are found in the provisions, viz.: (a) "Which could be cured by an amendment of the pleading," giving the opportunity to make the allegata and probata correspond; and (b) that the omission in the evidence, "not involving a substantive right," may be permitted to be given in evidence upon terms subject to the exercise of a reasonable discretion of the court. In the case of Malone Motor Co. v. Green,
The averment was descriptive of the contract of insurance, and treated as a variance in U.S. H. A. Ins. Co. v. Savage,
The cases under circuit court rule 35 and the general charge, where there is immaterial omission in the evidence not involving a substantive right of recovery or defense, are not examined. In Malone Motor Co. v. Green,
The effect of our decisions is that under circuit court rules 34 and 35, when the matter of evidence that is lacking may be supplied without a departure, or when the evidence adduced on the trial is such that the pleading may be amended to conform therewith without a discontinuance or complete change in the form of the action (as was the fact in Malone Co. v. Green, supra), the rule has application as provided for variance. And it follows that a mere variance was presented by the instant evidence and pleading, and the affirmative charges may not, without more, be rested thereon.
The verdict was not contrary to positive instructions given by the court or to the rules of law that govern. Refused charge 11 pretermitted the issues and evidence as to the wrongful acts of other agents than Houppert. It was properly refused. Moreover, its refusal was in accord with the refusal of defendants' charge 33. It was misleading, if not erroneous. The omission of the conjunction "and" between the words "reasonable satisfaction," and the words "such negligence," converted the charge into one for affirmative instruction on the fact theretofore hypothesized, and was properly refused under phases of the evidence indicated. Charge 11 is as follows:
"If any negligence or other wrongful act has been proven by the evidence to your reasonable satisfaction, such negligence or wrongful act was done or omitted by the defendant Joe Houppert while acting within the line and scope of his agency for the defendant St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company and you would not be authorized to find a verdict against defendant St. Louis-San Francisco Railway Company *501 in this case without also finding a verdict against the defendant Houppert."
There was error in granting the motion for a new trial.
In the foregoing, BOULDIN, J., concurs.