Alabama Great Southern Railroad v. Davis

'Action for Damages for Personal Injury to Employe. 1. General averment of negligence.- — A complaint in an action impersonal injuries received by an employe, while engaged in the discharge of his duties, averring that plaintiff’s “injuries were caused by the negligence of an engineer of defendant, who then and there had charge or control of an engine of . defendant,” is not demurrable because it does not show how the injury occurred, nor in what the negligence consisted, nor what position plaintiff held as an employe, nor how the negligence of the engineer was connected with the injury, nor that plaintiff was in the place where the proper discharge of his duties required him to be. 2. General averment as to rate of speed. — A count averring that plaintiff’s injuries resulted from the negligence of the engineer “in running said steam engine at too high a rate of speed,” is not demurrable because it does not show why or how the rate of speed was too high, nor what connection the running at too high rate of speed had with the injury complained of. 3. Jumping from moving car; general averment of necessity for, to avoid injury. — A count based upon the negligence of the engineer “in running said engine at too high rate of speed over a track that was out of repair, running the ears off. the track, and compelling plaintiff to jump from the cars to the ground whilst they were in motion to avoid injury from their derailment,” and showing that the injuries resulted from jumping from the car, is not demurrable in not showing that the cars were derailed, or about to be derailed, when plaintiff jumped, or fails to show any apparent necessity or good reason therefor when plaintiff jumped from the moving car. 4. Defective track; general averment sufficient. — A count under the Employer’s Act, averring, “that said injuries resulted from some defect in the track used by defendant, which defect arose from or had not been discovered or remedied owing to the negligence of defendant, or that of some person in defendant’s service and intrusted by it with the duty of seeing that the track was in proper condition,” is not demurrable in not showing what the defect consisted of; nor the connection between the defect and the injuries complained of; nor that plaintiff did not know of the defect at the time of the accident. 5. Contributory negligence; evidence admissible under general plea of. — Where plaintiff joins issue on a general plea of contributory negligence — that the injuries complained of were the proximate result of plaintiff’s contributory negligence — not specifying what negligence is relied on, the defendant may make any defense of contributory negligence the evidence may establish, and evidence of any negligence, legally contributory, is admissible 'under it. 6. Assuming risk of known defects in track, etc.- — Where plaintiff, a brakeman on defendant’s train, had knowledge of a defective track and switch for two years, and knowing that a train had been derailed only an hour or two before the accident from such defects, continued in the employment and to pass over the track and switch, he voluntarily took upon himself the hazard of the dangerous track and switch, whether he had given defendant notice of the defect or not, unless there was some intervening fact to justify him in continuing in the service. 7. Section foreman; person intrusted with keeping track in repair. It is common knowledge that a railroad section foreman is a person who has charge and superintendence of the force of roadway laborers, and charged with the duty of keeping the track in proper condition, over that section of the road assigned to him; he is the person intrusted by the defendant with the duty of seeing that the track is in proper condition, notwithstanding he gets orders from a supervisor, whose duty it is to see that the track is so kept. Ü. Grew on train may rely on report of foreman that track is safe. If the section foreman of defendant corporation, reported to plaintiff, a brakeman on a train of defendant, that a known defect in the track under his superintendence had just been repaired, so as to be safe, and there was nothing to cause plaintiff to disbelieve the statement, the plaintiff had the right, in good faith, to rely upon information so received and continue in the service, so far as danger from the defects to which the information related were concerned; and if, under such circumstances, he did rely upon it, and continue in the service when he would not otherwise have done so his continuance in the service was not an assumption of the risk of an accident in running over the track. 9. Negligence of engineer in running too fast; notice of defective track. — Where plaintiff counts on the negligence of the engineer in running the train too fast over a certain track, it is relevant to prove that shortly before the accident the eon ductor in charge of the train told the engineer to run slow while switching backward on the track, as tending to show that the engineer had notice of the defective condition of such track. 10. Abstract and misleading eft arge erroneous. — It is error to give a charge at the instance of plaintiff which is abstract and misleading, in a way that the jury might be induced to allow an item of damages to which he is not entitled. 11. Oharge ignoring testimony; contributory negligence. — Where the evidence without conflict shows that plaintiff was in his proper place on the train, and the jury could draw no other inference than that the best thing he could do for his safety was to jump from the train, a charge is not erroneous in ignoring the question of contributory negligence in his position on the train, or in jumping therefrom; but is erroneous, if it excuses plaintiff for continuing in a dangerous service because of information that the danger had been removed, and ignores the predicate that he believed and relied upon such information, and was induced by it to continue in the service. 12. Actual damages; physical and mental pain. — In an action for personal injuries to plaintiff, an employe, a charge that physical and mental pain, when proved, are actual damages, and may be looked to by the jury in estimating damages if from the whole evidence they find that plaintiff should have a verdict, is correct. 13. Medical hill, must he proven. — When the evidence does not show the expense of plaintiff for medical services, it is error to refuse a charge instructing the jury that plaintiff cannot recover therefor. 14. Averment that person guilty of negligence is unknown, must he proven. — An averment in a count for personal injuries to an employe, that the name of the person guilty of the alleged negligence was unknown to plaintiff, is a substantial averment, and there can be no recovery under the count making it, if the proof shows it was not true.

Appeal from Gadsden City Court. Tried before Hon. John H. Bisque. On December 5, 1893, the appellee, J. M. Davis, brought the present suit against the Alabama Great Southern Railroad Company. The complaint contains nine counts, the substance of which are as follows: 1. “The plaintiff claims of the defendant, which is a corporation under the laws of Alabama, the sum of ten thousand dollars as damages, for that whereas the defendant was engaged in the business of operating a railroad in Etowah County, Alabama; that the plaintiff Avas at the time of the injuries complained of an employe of defendant (engaged in the discharge of his duties as such employe) and that whilst plaintiff was in the employ of defendant, on the 18th day of September, 1893, in Etowah County, Alabama, plaintiff had his ankle broken, and suffered great mental and bodily pain, and lost his time and incurred large doctor’s bills and. nurse hire, and ivas disfigured and disabled for life from earning a living, and permanently injured; and plaintiff avers that his injuries were caused by the negligence of an engineer of defendant who then and there had charge or control of an engine of defendant — hence this suit.” 2. “Plaintiff claims of defendant ten thousand dollars as damages, for that whereas defendant was, at the time of the injuries complained of, a railway corporation, and Avas using and operating a steam engine in the State of Alabama, and plaintiff was then and there an employe of defendant (engaged in the discharge of his duties as such employe) and whilst plaintiff was thus in the employ of defendant, on, to-wit, the 18th day of September, 1893, he had his ankle broken and was otherwise wounded and injured, and suffered great mental and bodily pain therefrom, and lost his time, and incurred large medical bills and nurse hire, and was disfigured and disabled for life from earning a living, and Avas permanently injured, and plaintiff avers that his injuries, resulted from the negligence of an engineer of defendant in running said steam engine at too high a rate of speed, and said engineer then and there had the charge or control of said engine of defendant— hence this suit.” The allegations of negligence contained in the other counts of the complaint are as folIoavs : (each count of the complaint being numbered by its corresponding number). 3. “And plaintiff avers that his injuries resulted from the negligence of an engineer of defendant in running said steam engine and cars at too high a rate of speed over rails which were old, worn, and unsound and unsafe, and said engineer then and there had control of said engine of defendant— hence this suit.” 4. “And plaintiff avers that said injuries resulted from the negligence of defendant’s engineer in charge of said engine, in running said engine at too high rate of speed over a track that was out of repair, running the cars off the track and compelling plaintiff to jump from the cars to the ground Avhilst they were in motion to avoid injury from their derailment — hence this suit.” 5. “And plaintiff avers that said injuries resulted from some defect in the track used by defendant, which defect arose from or had not been discovered or remedied owing to the negligence of defendant, or that of some person in defendant’s service and intrusted by it with the duty of seeing that said track Avas in proper condition, the name of said person being unknown to plaintiff.” 6. “And plaintiff avers said injuries were caused by a defect in the track then and there used by defendant, in that the rails of the track Avere old and mashed and worn, and said defect arose from and had not been remedied owing to defendant’s negligence, or the negligence of some person in defendant’s service, and entrusted by defendant with the duty of seeing that said track Avas in proper condition, the name of said person being unknown to plaintiff.” 7. “And plaintiff avers said injuries resulted from the negligence of defendant in using a track which Avas then' and there out of repair and unsafe for use, whereby, plaintiff, who Avas a brakeman on defendant’s train, Avas forced to jump from the train to avoid injury from the derailment of the cars by reason of defective track, as aforesaid, and said defect arose from or bad not been remedied or discovered owing to defendant’s negligence, or of some person in its service, entrusted by it witb tbe duty of seeing that tbe ways, works, machinery or plant were in proper condition.” 8.' “And plaintiff avers said injuries were caused by tbe negligence of defendant in its failure to put and keep and maintain in repair tbe track then and there in use by it, whereby plaintiff became and was disfigured and disabled for life from earning a living and permanently injured;and plaintiff avers said injuries were caused by tbe negligence of defendant in its failure to put and keep and maintain in repair tbe track then and there in use by it, whereby plaintiff became and was damaged in tbe sum of ten thousand dollars as aforesaid; and plaintiff avers that said failure to put, keep and maintain tbe track in repair, arose from, or bad not been remedied or discovered, owing to defendant’s negligence, or of some person in defendant’s service, entrusted by it witb tbe duty of seeing that tbe ways, works, machinery or plant were in proper condition.” 9. “Said injuries were caused by a defect in tbe track used by defendant, to-wit: Its wrong construction and defect arose from defendant’s negligence, or bad not been remedied or discovered, owing to its. negligence, or that of some person in its service, entrusted by it witb tbe duty of seeing that said track, was in proper condition.” 4, 5, 6 and 7 counts aver that, plaintiff was a brakeman. Tbe defendant demurred totbe complaint as follows: 1. “Said first count does not show bow the injury occurred. 2. Said first count does, not sufficiently disclose tbe facts attending tbe injury complained of. 3. Said first count does not show tbe alleged negligence of tbe engineer was connected with the-injury complained of.” To tbe 2, 3 and 4 counts be demurred upon tbe following grounds: “Said count fails-to show what connection tbe running of said engine at too high a rate of speed bad Avith tbe injury complained of.” To tbe 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 counts, be demurred upon tbe following grounds substantially: 1. “Said count: fails to show how the injuries complained of resulted from tbe defect in tbe track complained of. 2. Said count fails to show any connection between tbe alleged-defect in tbe track and tbe injuries complained of. 3.. Said count fails to show what the alleged defect in the track consisted of. 4. Said count fails to show that plaintiff did not know of the condition of the track. 5. Said fifth count fails to show that defendant knew or ought to have known of the condition of the track. 6. Said count shows that plaintiff was an employe and assumed the risk of all damages arising from obvious defects in the condition of the track. These demurrers were overruled. Whereupon, the defendant demurred to the complaint as follows substantially: To each count .of the complaint he demurred upon the following grounds: 1. Said count fails to set out any of the facts of the alleged negligence. 3. Said count fails to show what position plaintiff held as an employe. 4. Said count fails to show that at the time of the happening of the alleged injury plaintiff was in the discharge of his duties as an employe. 5. Said count fails to show that the engineer had charge of an engine upon the railway of defendant. 6. Said count fails to aver that plaintiff, at the time of the happening of the injury, was in the place where the proper discharge of his duties required him to be. To each count, except the first, upon the further grounds: 7. Said count fails to show that the engine was being run on the railway of defendant. 8. Said count fails to show why or how the rate of speed was too high. To fourth count, upon the further grounds: 9. Said fourth count fails to show that the cars were derailed, or were about to be derailed when plaintiff jumped. 10. Said fourth count shows on its face that plaintiff’s injuries resulted from his jumping from the cars in motion, and fails to show any reason why plaintiff jumped. To the 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 counts upon the further grounds: 9. Said seventh and eighth counts fail to aver that the defects therein arose from or had not been discovered or remedied owing to the negligence of the defendant, or of some person in the service of defendant and entrusted by it with the duty of seeing that the ways, works, machinery or plant were in proper condition. 10. Said fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth counts each fail to show that the injury was caused by any defect in the condition of ways, works, machinery or plant connected with or used in the business of the master of employe. 11. Said seventh count shows on its face that the injuries resulted from plaintiff’s jumping from the car while in motion, and fails to sIioav any good reason why plaintiff jumped. 12. Said seArenth count fails to show that an apparent necessity arising from the negligence of defendant existed when plaintiff jumped from the moving car. These demurrers Avere overruled. Thereupon, the defendant filed the following pleas, upon which issue was joined: “1. Comes the defendant, and for ansAver to the plaintiff’s complaint denies each and every allegation contained in plaintiff’s complaint. 2. And for further plea on their behalf defendant says that the injuries complained of are the proximate result of plaintiff’s contributory negligence.” The facts of the case are sufficiently stated in the opinion. Upon the introduction of all the evidence the court at the request of the plaintiff gave to the jury the folloAving written charges: (1.) “The court charges the jury, if you find for the plaintiff in this case, in estimating the damages the jury may consider the disabling effects of the injury, if such has been proved, and also all necessary expenses suffered by him in and about his case and also his mental and physical pain próxima tel y resulting from the injury, if such have been proved.” (2.) “The court charges the jury that if they find from the evidence that Stewart was the yard master and the conductor, and was the superior of Davis in the service and Davis Avas under his control and subject to his orders, and if they further find from the evi-. deuce that Stewart, while so in charge as conductor and yard master, sent Davis to notify the section foreman to come and repair the SAvitcli, then the law did not require Davis to give any further or other notice to any one.” (3.) “The court charges the jury that if they believe that the railroad company was informed of the defect in the track, and agreed to remedy it, Davis would not be guilty of contributory negligence if he remained in the railroad employment for a reasonable time after-wards, so as to give it the opportunity to remedy the defect in the track, if any existed.” (4.) “The court charges the jury that if they find from the evidence that Stewart was the yard master and the conductor, was the superior of Davis in the service, and Davis was under his control and subject to his orders, and Stewart knew of the condition of the switch, and Davis was aware that Stewart knew it, and Davis notified the section foreman to come and repair the switch, and after-wards the section foreman reported that the switch was all right, and thereupon, Stewart, with knowledge of all the above facts, ran his train out and over the switch, the law does not require that plaintiff should show, before he can recover in this action, that he gave any further or other notice of the condition of the switch before-the accident.” (5.) “The court charges the jury that if they believe from the evidence Woodliff was the section foreman of the railroad company at the time Davis was injured, and that he told Davis just before the latter’s injury, that the switch had been fixed so as to make it safe for use, the jury are authorized to find from this evidence, in connection with all the other evidence, that Davis was not guilty of contributory negligence, and if they so find, their verdict must be for the plaintiff, if they believe the railroad company was guilty of negligence in this case.” (6.) “The court charges the jury that physical and mental pain, when proved, are actual damages, and may be looked to by the jury in the estimation of such damages, if from the whole evidence they find that plaintiff should have a verdict.” The defendant separately excepted to the giving of each of these charges, and also separately excepted to the court’s refusal to give each of the following charges requested by it: (1.) “The court charges the jury that if they believe all the evidence they cannot allow the plaintiff anything for doctor’s bill.” (2.) “The court charges the jury that if they believe that the injury occurred by reason of' the mismatched stub switch, then the jury should find a verdict for the defendant.” (3.) “The court charges, the jury that if they believe from the evidence that the concurring causes which produced the injury were 'the mismatched stub switch and the running at too high rate of speed, then the jury should find a verdict for the defendant.” (4.) “The. court charges the jury that if plaintiff knew that there was a mismatched stub switch, and that such stub switch constituted a defect in the ways, works or machinery, then the duty rested on plaintiff to give information thereof to defendant or to some person superior to himself, engaged in the service or employment of the master or employer, and information of such defect given to Woodliff, section foreman, (if such information was given) was not a compliance with ■this duty.” The defendant further requested in writing the general affirmative charge on the whole case, and on -each count separately. These charges the court refused. From a judgment for plaintiff, defendant appeals, and assigns as error the several rulings above set out. cited, in support of the assignment of error as to the sufficiency of the complaint. — L. & N. B. B. Go. v. Boulclin, 20 So. 329; as to plaintiff’s assuming the risk and rendering himself guilty of contributory negligence by continuing in employment. — Birmingham By. Go. v. Allen, 99 Ala. 359; Eureka Go. v. Bass, 81 Ala. 201. Charge 5 given for plaintiff was erroneous, in failing to hypothesize that the negligence of defendant was the proximate cause of the injury, and other reasons. — Williams v. Woos took Iron Go., 106 Ala. 254; M. & M. B. B. Go. v. Ashcraft, 48 Ala. 15. The charge that plaintiff; could not recover because the rails were old and worn and mashed should have been given because it was shown this defect was not the cause of the injuries, and plaintiff; knew it had not been remedied when he continued in the employment. The court erred in refusing to instruct the jury that plaintiff, under the evidence, could not recover for his doctor’s bill. The several counts of the complaint were sufficient; it is not necessary to state the facts which constitute and go to prove negligence. The demurrers were properly overruled. — Oxford Lake Line v.-Stedham, 101 Ala. 37¿; Tuck v. L. & N. B. B. Go., 98 Ala. 150; Mary Lee Goal é B’y v. Chambliss, 97 Ala. 171; M. & O. B. B. Go. v. George, 94 Ala. 215; L. cG N. B. B. Go. v. Hanokins, 92 Ala. 244; Ga. Pac. By. Go. v. Davis, 92 Ala. 307; Gheioning v. Ensley, B. W., 93 Ala. 24; G. & W. B. B. v. Bradford, 86 Ala.' 574; M. & M. B. B. v. Orenshaw, 65 Ala. 566; Gov. St. B. W. v. Hanlon, 53 Ala. 70. Plaintiff had a right to rely on statement of the section foreman. — Baylor v. B. B. W. & E. Go. 101 Ala. 488. The general charge requested by defend.ant as to doctor’s bill was properly refused. — 66 Ala. 593; 27 Ala. 592; 15 Ala- 457; 68 Ala. 412. The general affirmative charge also. — 94 Ala. 199.