{ "id": 8656978, "name": "J. H. WALLACE v. TALLAHASSEE POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY", "name_abbreviation": "Wallace v. Tallahassee Power & Light Co.", "decision_date": "1918-12-04", "docket_number": "", "first_page": "558", "last_page": "562", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "176 N.C. 558" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C.", "id": 9292, "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "126 N. C., 200", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658904 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/126/0200-01" ] }, { "cite": "127 N. C., 225", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8660100 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/127/0225-01" ] }, { "cite": "130 N. C., 256", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11273304 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/130/0256-01" ] }, { "cite": "140 N. C., 475", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652399 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/140/0475-01" ] }, { "cite": "141 N. C., 487", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11253466 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/141/0487-01" ] }, { "cite": "157 N. C., 490", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8658572 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/157/0490-01" ] }, { "cite": "158 N. C., 322", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8655274 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/158/0322-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 N. C., 742", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11255461 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/174/0742-01" ] }, { "cite": "174 N. C., 661", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11255222 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/174/0661-01" ] }, { "cite": "152 N. C., 505", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11271882 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/152/0505-01" ] }, { "cite": "232 U. S., 94", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 3672028 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/232/0094-01" ] }, { "cite": "138 N. C., 319", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11269374 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/138/0319-01" ] }, { "cite": "138 N. C., 410", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11269572 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/138/0410-01" ] }, { "cite": "154 N. C., 474", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8652749, 8652727 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/154/0474-02", "/nc/154/0474-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 N. C., 335", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "173 N. C., 339", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 11270039 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/173/0339-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 528, "char_count": 10108, "ocr_confidence": 0.494, "pagerank": { "raw": 8.724443257361318e-08, "percentile": 0.4941438670748758 }, "sha256": "b2be5e503ce6037d7375223f2f2efcf657a97d5876d9ce324246bf44b60b2668", "simhash": "1:da67ae80d36e52fc", "word_count": 1788 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:39:13.878101+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [], "parties": [ "J. H. WALLACE v. TALLAHASSEE POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "Hoke, J.\nWe have carefully considered the record and find no reason for disturbing the results of the trial. It is objected, first, that there is no evidence of negligence, as charged in the complaint, to wit, a derailment by reason of a defective car (1) in that it had an insufficient flange on the left hind wheel, or that same was broken and almost loose from the wheel; (2) that the hind axle was crooked. But apart from the presumption of defects arising by reason of the derailment, there are facts in evidence from the testimony of defendant\u2019s own witness, J. I). Coggins, who was operating the car at the time, permitting the inference that the car was defective in both particulars. Thus, in reference to the wheel, \u201cThe way we were running, the speeder was in good shape. The flange of the left hind wheel was not broken, but was worn some. A day or two before that I had it in the shop and we had it welded.\u201d . . . And on the cross-examination: \u201cWe had been working on that flange a few days before, it might have been the day before. We were working on it because there was a small defect in the wheel. The defect was about an inch or an inch and a half. It was on the wheel next to the flange. We undertook to weld some metal there. When we took it out on the track it did not make a bumping noise \u2014 just the rough noise of it. When the wheel would turn over you could hear it hit that spot, but it soon wore off.\u201d And in reference to the crooked axle, this same witness said he looked at the axle at the time of the occurrence and just after, and it was crooked; but he said that it was straight before the accident, but his cross-examination shows that the witness was not in a position to speak definitely about this, and it is the more probable and assuredly the permissible inference that the axle was crooked prior to the derailment.\nIt is further insisted that the court, as requested by defendant, should have submitted an issue as to \u201cassumption of risk on the part of plaintiff,\u201d but the objection is without merit. It is held in this State that the doctrine of assumption of risk, even in cases where the same is applicable, does not extend to and include those risks and damages incident to the employer\u2019s negligence.\nIn the recent case of Howard v. Wright, 173 N. C., 339, the position as it obtains here is stated as follows: \u201cThe defense of assumption of risk is one growing out of the contract of employment and extends only to the ordinary risks naturally and usually incident to the work that the employee has undertaken to perform, and does not include risks and dangers incident to a failure on the part of the employer to perform his own nondelegable duties,\u201d the opinion citing in approval Yarborough v. Geer, 171 N. C., 335; Norris v. Holt Morgan Mills, 154 N. C., 474-485; Pressly v. Yarn Mills, 138 N. C., 410; Hicks v. Mfg. Co., 138 N. C., 319-327.\nEven in those jurisdictions wher\u00e9 a different concept of assumption of risk prevails, as exemplified in the decisions of the Federal courts construing the Employers\u2019 Liability Act, it is held that the position does not obtain in eases attributable to the employer\u2019s own negligent breach of duty unless the conditions thereby created are of an enduring kind or under circumstances that afford to the injured employee a fair opportunity to know of these conditions and appreciate the risks and dangers which they present. Gila Valley Ry. v. Hall, 232 U. S., 94; Jones v. R. R., present term; King v. R. R., present term.\nIn any aspect of the matter, there is no evidence whatever which shows or tends to show that plaintiff knew anything about the defects of the car or that he had any opportunity to appreciate the dangers to which he was being subjected when he was being carried to his work. Nor is there any evidence of contributory negligence except a suggestion, hardly borne out by the testimony, that plaintiff may have jumped from the car as it bumped along the track after the derailment. If he did this in the reasonable effort to save himself, \u2019 there is nothing in the record to justify the position that it should be imputed to him for a negligent default. Norris v. R. R., 152 N. C., 505.\nDefendant excepts to portions of the charge, in which the court, in effect, instructed the jury that if a derailment was established, and that same was the proximate cause of plaintiff\u2019s injuries, that the burden of proof shifted to defendant and it was required to show from the facts in evidence that such derailment and resultant injury was not due to negligence on their part.\nIt has been decided that this, \u201ca standard gauge\u201d railroad truck owned by defendant and over which it was accustomed to haul material in its large manufacturing plant and operated a gasoline car or speeder for the purpose of carrying its employees to and from their work is subject to the rules which obtain in the case of regular railroads. Goodman v. Power Co., 174 N. C., 661. And in such causes the rule of proof as given by his Honor has been repeatedly approved in our decisions and prevails both as to passengers and employees on the cars in tbe line of duty, and wbetber these last are engaged in operating tbe trains or not. Mumpower v. R. R., 174 N. C., 742; Skipper v. Lumber Co., 158 N. C., 322; Worley v. R. R., 157 N. C., 490; Hemphill v. Lumber Co., 141 N. C., 487; Tanner v. Lumber Co., 140 N. C., 475; McNeil v. R. R., 130 N. C., 256; Wright v. R. R., 127 N. C., 225; Marcom v. R. R., 126 N. C., 200.\nTbe charge of bis Honor gave tbe defendant tbe full benefit of tbe position that this was a rebuttable presumption, and tbe further criticism that tbe entire facts showed that this was an excusable accident, and that tbe court should have so held is not borne out by tbe record. In our view, as heretofore stated, not only was their testimony in support of it, but there was ample evidence to carry tbe ease to tbe jury without regard to tbe presumption.\nWe find no error in tbe proceedings below, and tbe judgment must be affirmed.\nNo error.", "type": "majority", "author": "Hoke, J." } ], "attorneys": [ "Maness& Armfield for plaintiff.", "B. L. Smith for defendant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "J. H. WALLACE v. TALLAHASSEE POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY.\n(Filed 4 December, 1918.)\n1. Master and Servant \u2014 Employer and Employee \u2014 Negligence\u2014Evidence\u2014 Questions for Jury \u2014 Nonsuit\u2014Trials\u2014Railroads.\nIn an action by an employee to recover damages for the alleged negligence of his employer, for an injury received from the derailment of a gasoline car, termed a \u201cspeeder,\u201d by reason of its defect, while being operated by the defendant at the time in question to carry the plaintiff and other employees to work, there was testimony of defendant\u2019s witness tending to show that the car had been worked on a day or two before the injury, because of a defect in tbe wheel next to tbe flange; that there was a rough noise while the car was running, caused by the welding made to remedy the defect, until worn smooth; that the axle of the ear was crooked just after the injury, and, upon cross-examination, he was uncertain or indefinite as to the condition of the axle at or before the time it occurred: Meld, apart from the presumption of a negligent defect in the wheel at the time of the injury, the evidence was sufficient to be submitted to the jury upon the issue of defendant\u2019s actionable negligence.\n2. Master and Servant \u2014 Employer and Employee \u2014 Negligence\u2014Assumption of Risks.\nAn employee does not assume the risks attributable alone to his em- ' ployer\u2019s own negligent breach of the duty he owes to him, or where the injury complained of has not arisen from conditions of ah enduring kind, or under circumstances that have afforded him a fair opportunity to have known of these conditions and enabled him to have appreciated the risks and dangers to which he was thereby exposed.\n3. Master and Servant \u2014 Employer and Employee \u2014 Evidence\u2014Contributory Negligence \u2014 Trials.\nWhere the evidence tends to show that an employee, the plaintiff in the action, was thrown to his injury by a derailment of defendant\u2019s gasoline car, or \u201cspeeder,\u201d under circumstances sufficient to establish the defendant\u2019s actionable negligence therein, by reason of a defect in the car or in the wheel near the flange, a suggestion that the plaintiff may have safely jumped from the ear as it bumped along the track after the derailment, and that therefore his contributory negligence in not having done so barred his recovery, is untenable.\n4. Master and Servant \u2014 Employer and Employee \u2014 Railroads\u2014Gasoline Car \u201cSpeeder\u201d \u2014 Standard Track \u2014 Derailment\u2014Negligence\u2014Presumption\u2014 Burden of Proof \u2014 Instructions.\nWhere the employer operates a gasoline or \u201cspeeder\u201d car over its standard-gauge railroad track, for the purpose of carrying its employees to their work, the rule of liability as to its negligent acts causing injury to one of them, by a derailment of the car, is the same as applicable to roads regularly operated for railroad purposes; and an instruction that if the fact of derailment should be found by the jury,. upon the evidence, the burden shifted to the defendant, and that it was required to show from the facts in evidence that the derailment and resultant injur-y was not due to negligence on its part, is a correct one, when giving the defendant the benefit of its position that the presumption was a rebuttable one.\nActioN, tried before Webb, J., and a jury, at April Term, 1918, of CABARRUS.\nTbe action was to recover damages for an injury arising from an alleged negligent derailment of a gasoline car, termed a speeder, operated at tbe time on defendant\u2019s road at Baden, N. 0., and by wbicb an employee of defendant, being carried to bis work, was thrown forward on tbe track and run over and received painful, serious, and permanent physical injury.\nOn denial of liability by defendant and pleas of contributory negligence and assumption of risk, tbe jury rendered a verdict for plaintiff: that he was injured by reason of defendant\u2019s negligence as alleged; that plaintiff, by his own negligence, did not contribute to the injury, and assessing damages.\nJudgment on the verdict and defendant excepted and appealed.\nManess& Armfield for plaintiff.\nB. L. Smith for defendant." }, "file_name": "0558-01", "first_page_order": 610, "last_page_order": 614 }