{ "id": 1467007, "name": "Ford & Son Sanitary Company v. Ransom", "name_abbreviation": "Ford & Son Sanitary Co. v. Ransom", "decision_date": "1948-04-26", "docket_number": "4-8519", "first_page": "390", "last_page": "396", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "213 Ark. 390" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "210 S.W.2d 508" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "Ark.", "id": 8808, "name": "Arkansas Supreme Court" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 34, "name_long": "Arkansas", "name": "Ark." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "95 A. L. R. 876", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "107 A. L. R. 419", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "435" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "95 A. L. R. 878", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "74 A. L. R. 951", "category": "reporters:specialty", "reporter": "A.L.R.", "pin_cites": [ { "page": "965" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "205 Ark. 119", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1488200 ], "weight": 4, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/205/0119-01" ] }, { "cite": "199 Ark. 397", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1456543 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/199/0397-01" ] }, { "cite": "127 S. W. 2d 1935", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "198 Ark. 17", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1459808 ], "weight": 3, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/198/0017-01" ] }, { "cite": "118 S. W. 2d 668", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "196 Ark. 491", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1462428 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/196/0491-01" ] }, { "cite": "112 S. W. 2d 420", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "195 Ark. 395", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8721064 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/195/0395-01" ] }, { "cite": "38 S. W. 2d 1093", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "183 Ark. 819", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1441742 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/183/0819-01" ] }, { "cite": "36 S. W. 2d 406", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "183 Ark. 475", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1441838 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/183/0475-01" ] }, { "cite": "28 S. W. 2d 712", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "181 Ark. 907", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8725973 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/181/0907-01" ] }, { "cite": "270 S. W. 602", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "168 Ark. 476", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 8723182 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/168/0476-01" ] }, { "cite": "202 S. W. 229", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "133 Ark. 327", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1575122 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/133/0327-01" ] }, { "cite": "223 S. W. 6", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "144 Ark. 401", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1588027 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/144/0401-01" ] }, { "cite": "35 S. W. 2d 1010", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.W.2d", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "183 Ark. 218", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1441631 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/183/0218-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 554, "char_count": 10313, "ocr_confidence": 0.52, "pagerank": { "raw": 4.460952253755273e-07, "percentile": 0.9217384874562184 }, "sha256": "4c5ec4ea16d95b14893d3badc3529be58d7681b434f032277e8cb89ad90acdf4", "simhash": "1:c9c4e8e722d344d1", "word_count": 1851 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T14:58:24.264428+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "Ford & Son Sanitary Company v. Ransom." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Ed. F. McFaddin, Justice.\nFord & Son Sanitary Company (a partnership composed of Reuben and George Ford) was engaged in hauling garbage in Hot Springs, and in that business operated several large trucks. The truck concerned in this case had a metal body several feet high, and was seven feet, two inches in width. At the rear of the vehicle there were swinging doors or tail gates two feet high. About 3:30 p. m. on May 26, 1947, the appellee, Mrs. Ransom, was standing in the street near the curb on Park Avenue in Hot Springs, and was struck by the swinging door or tail gate of the said garbage truck owned by the appellants. The truck was being' driven on Park Avenue by Henry Johnson, one of the regular drivers, and he was accompanied by a fellow-employee named Ivy Rainier. Mrs. Ransom recovered judgment against Ford & Son Sanitary Company, and the partners, who by this appeal challenge the said judgment.\nThe motion for new trial contains only one assignment, which reads: \u201cThe verdict and judgment is contrary to the law and the evidence, for the reason that there was no evidence introduced to show that the defendant Henry Johnson was acting within the scope of his employment and that there was substantial and uncontradicted evidence introduced to show that the defendant Henry Johnson was engaged outside the scope of his employment and purely on business of his own and for that of one other than his employers at the time the plaintiff, Mayoma Ransom, sustained the injuries complained of in the complaint filed in this cause.\u201d\nAppellant thus states the issue on this appeal: \u201cThe sole question involved in this appeal is whether or not there was sufficient evidence introduced during the course of the trial for the jury to find that the alleged negligent act of Henry Johnson was done while acting within the scope of his employment and for the benefit of the appellants. \u2019 \u2019\nIn the case at bar the appellant company\u2019s truck was being driven by one of its regular employees during regular business hours. In the case of Mullins v. Ritchie Grocer Company, 183 Ark. 218, 35 S. W. 2d 1010, Chief Justice Hart, speaking for this court, said:\n\u201c In a case-note to 42 A. L. R. at page 919, it is stated that proof that the automobile causing the damage belonged to the defendant, and was being operated at the time of the injury by an employee of the defendant, creates a reasonable presumption that the driver was acting within the scope of his employment or in the course of his master\u2019s business. This presumption, however, is one of fact, and may be defeated or overcome by testimony tending to contradict it. Our own court adopted this rule in the case of Terry Dairy Co. v. Parker, 144 Ark. 401, 223 S. W. 6. In this connection, it may he stated that the phrase \u2018in the course or scope of his employment or authority,\u2019 when used relative to the duties of the servant or employee, in eases of this sort, means while engaged in the service of his master or while about his master\u2019s business.\n\u201cThe doctrine is settled in this State that, if the automobile causing the accident belongs to the defendant and is being operated at the time of the accident by one of the regular employees of the defendant, there- is a reasonable inference that at such time he was acting within the scope of his employment and in the furtherance of his master\u2019s business. The inference or presumption of fact, however may be rebutted or overcome by evidence adduced by the defendant during the trial.' Where the evidence on this point is contradictory, the question is one for the jury. Where the facts are undisputed and uncontradicted, it becomes a question for the court. Healey v. Cockrill, 133 Ark. 327, 202 S. W. 229, L. R. A. 1918D, 115; Bizzell v. Hamiter, 168 Ark. 476, 270 S. W. 602; and Hunter v. First State Bank of Morrilton, 181 Ark. 907, 28 S. W. 2d 712.\"\nApplying the rule announced in the foregoing case to the case at bar, this is the picture: when the plaintiff showed that the truck which inflicted the injury was owned by the defendant company, and was at that time being driven by the said defendant company\u2019s regular employee, then such proof raised a temporary presumption that the employee was in the scope of-his employment. The defendant company, to avoid liability, was then obliged to introduce substantial proof directed to the negation of scope of employment. When the defendant company introduced such proof, the presumption (arising from ownership and driving of the vehicle) had served its purpose, and disappeared: so that if \u2014 independent of such presumption \u2014 there was no evidence to dispute the defendant\u2019s proof, and if such proof contained no substantial contradictions in itself, then there would have been no evidence to take the case to the jury on the \u201cscope of employment\u201d theory. But if \u2014 independent of the presumption \u2014 the defendants\u2019 proof was substantially contradicted by the plaintiff\u2019s proof or by inconsistencies in the defendants\u2019 own proof, then the issue of scope of employment would be for the jury.\nWith the foregoing understanding, we proceed to review the defendants\u2019 (appellants\u2019) proof on the negation of scope of employment, and then to discuss the contradictions :\n1. Henry Johnson, the driver of the defendants\u2019 truck, testified that he had stopped on Court Street and picked up some garbage in the scope of his employment, and thereafter his helper \u2014 Ivy Ranier- \u2014 told him that he, Ranier, had permission for Johnson to drive to the Parkway Court to get some chairs for Ranier personally. Johnson said that he was on this mission for Ranier when Mrs. Ransom was struck.\n2. Ivy Ranier testified that he was with Henry Johnson, and that they had just returned from the dump and had not stopped to pick up any garbage, when he asked Johnson to drive him to the Parkway Courts to get somp chairs; that Johnson did not ask him if he had permission to make such a trip; that he did not have sucli permission; and that the trip to the Parkway Courts was off of the regular route.\n3. George Ford (one of the appellants) testified that his company had another truck that picked up garbage at the Parkway Court; that Henry Johnson was on a private mission when he went there; that no permission had been given to Johnson or Ranier to go to the Parkway Court; and that Johnson was three blocks off of his route at the place where Mrs. Ransom was injured.\n4. Reuben Ford (another appellant) testified substantially to the same effect as did George Ford.\nFrom the above review, it is readily apparent that there are some contradictions in the testimony of Henry Johnson and Ivy Ranier. But \u2014 independent of all other matters \u2014 there is a significant contradiction between the testimony of George and Reuben Ford on the one hand, and the testimony of P. G. Ransom for the appellee. This we now discuss: before either George or Reuben Ford testified, P. G. Ransom (husband of the injured woman and, himself, a party to this litigation) had testified that George Ford had come to see P. G. Ransom shortly after Mrs. Ransom was hurt. Here is the testimony of P. G. Ransom:\n\u201cQ. Do you know who owns Ford & Son Sanitary Company? A. Yes. George Ford and Reuben, I believe it is. Q. Did either of them come to see you after this accident? A. Yes, they did. Q. Which one?. A. That fellow sitting right there (Indicating). Q. What did he have to say about the accident? A. He came up and apologized for it, which I thought was very nice of him, and talked to me about it and told me how sorry he was, and said his driver was a little reckless, and says, \u2018Papa\u2019 \u2014I believe he said Papa \u2014 \u2018and myself want to do the right thing about it.\u2019 And I said, \u2018I am glad you do, and when my wife gets better and makes a change for the better or worse, I will come around and give you a chance.\u2019 \u201d\nNeither of the appellants denied this testimony of P. G. Ransom. They did not refer to it or try to explain it. So, it seems, that immediately after Mrs. Ransom was injured, George Ford \u201cwanted to do the right thing;\u201d at that time he said the driver of the truck was \u201chis driver;\u201d and no claim was then made by George Ford that the driver was outside the scope of his employment. This testimony by P. G. Ransom, unexplained as it was by appellants, made a fact question for the jury as to whether the appellants had rebutted the presumption arising from ownership and driving of the vehicle. Even if such legal presumption be considered as a mere rule to disappear when substantial proof be offered by the defendants, still, at the time that the defendants offered their proof, the testimony of P. G. Ransom had made a question for the jury as to scope of employment.\nWe therefore conclude that there was substantial evidence to have the question of scope of employment submitted to the jury, just as was done. Since this is the only assignment on the appeal, it follows that the judgment must be affirmed.\nThe case of Mullins v. Ritchie Grocer Co., 183 Ark. 475, 36 S. W. 2d 406, is a landmark in our jurisprudence and has been cited with approval many times. Some of the subsequent cases are: Casteel v. Yantis-Harper Co., 183 Ark. 475, 36 S. W. 2d 406; Rex Oil Corp. v. Crank, 183 Ark. 819, 38 S. W. 2d 1093; Marshall Ice Co. v. Fitzhugh, 195 Ark. 395, 112 S. W. 2d 420; Ball v. Hail, 196 Ark. 491, 118 S. W. 2d 668; Brooks v. Bale Chevrolet Co., 198 Ark. 17, 127 S. W. 2d 1935; Lion Oil Co. v. Smith, 199 Ark. 397, 133 S. W. 2d 895; Fooks v. Williams, 205 Ark. 119, 168 S. W. 2d 193. The general rule as stated in 5 Am. Juris. 842, 871, is in accord with the rule stated by this court in the Mullins case. See, also, annotations in 74 A. L. R. 951, 965; 95 A. L. R. 878; 107 A. L. R. 419, 435.\nSee Brooks v. Bale Chevrolet Co., 198 Ark. 17, 127 S. W. 2d 135, in which an instructed verdict for the defendant was affirmed; and see Fooks v. Williams, 205 Ark. 119, 168 S. W. 2d 193, in which a judgment for plaintiff was reversed and the cause dismissed.\nThere is an annotation in 95 A. L. R. 876 on \u201cPresumptions of Evidence\u201d; and Mullins v. Ritchie. Grocer Co., supra, is discussed therein.", "type": "majority", "author": "Ed. F. McFaddin, Justice." } ], "attorneys": [ "Richard W. Hobbs, for appellant.", "David B. Whittington and McMath & Schoenfeld, for appellee." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "Ford & Son Sanitary Company v. Ransom.\n4-8519\n210 S. W. 2d 508\nOpinion delivered April 26, 1948.\nRichard W. Hobbs, for appellant.\nDavid B. Whittington and McMath & Schoenfeld, for appellee." }, "file_name": "0390-01", "first_page_order": 406, "last_page_order": 412 }