{
  "id": 8619132,
  "name": "MRS. W. E. WEBB v. STATESVILLE THEATRE CORPORATION",
  "name_abbreviation": "Webb v. Statesville Theatre Corp.",
  "decision_date": "1946-05-08",
  "docket_number": "",
  "first_page": "342",
  "last_page": "345",
  "citations": [
    {
      "type": "official",
      "cite": "226 N.C. 342"
    }
  ],
  "court": {
    "name_abbreviation": "N.C.",
    "id": 9292,
    "name": "Supreme Court of North Carolina"
  },
  "jurisdiction": {
    "id": 5,
    "name_long": "North Carolina",
    "name": "N.C."
  },
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    {
      "cite": "112 S. E., 29",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "183 N. C., 525",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
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        8657106
      ],
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      "case_paths": [
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    {
      "cite": "195 S. E., 386",
      "category": "reporters:state_regional",
      "reporter": "S.E.",
      "opinion_index": 0
    },
    {
      "cite": "213 N. C., 130",
      "category": "reporters:state",
      "reporter": "N.C.",
      "case_ids": [
        8626767
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      "opinion_index": 0,
      "case_paths": [
        "/nc/213/0130-01"
      ]
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  "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:52:42.041183+00:00",
  "provenance": {
    "date_added": "2019-08-29",
    "source": "Harvard",
    "batch": "2018"
  },
  "casebody": {
    "judges": [],
    "parties": [
      "MRS. W. E. WEBB v. STATESVILLE THEATRE CORPORATION."
    ],
    "opinions": [
      {
        "text": "Schenck, J.\nIn view of the negative answer made to the first issue, it is only necessary that we notice the assignments of error bearing upon this issue, namely, \u201cWas the plaintiff injured by the negligence of the defendant, as alleged in the complaint?\u201d\nThe first assignment of error is to the court\u2019s admitting, over objection by the plaintiff, evidence as to the number of tickets sold and passes issued the day of the alleged incident, and admitting in evidence a record of the defendant giving this information. The plaintiff noted exceptions to the admission of all of this evidence, tending to show that there were as many as 230 patrons of the show who were in the theatre the day plaintiff fell, and that none of them, while walking in the foyer where plaintiff fell, had fallen. In 2 Jones Commentaries on Evidence, sec. 683, the author says: \u201cThe authorities are divided as to the relevancy of showing that other persons have passed over the same walk or street without injury, the weight being against the admissibility of such evidence,\u201d Anderson v. Amusement Co., 213 N. C., 130, 195 S. E., 386. In the case at bar the defendant was permitted to offer evidence tending to show that 230 persons entered the theatre the day plaintiff is alleged to have fallen, and the plaintiff testified she had seen the patrons going in the theatre walking over the same area. From the entire record it is apparent that a \u201cfair number\u201d of people passed over the foyer the day the accident occurred, and only the plaintiff fell. This evidence was offered for the purpose of refuting the theory that some slick substance had been by the defendant\u2019s servant negligently allowed to accumulate on the floor. Even if it be conceded that the evidence was incompetent the defendant had the full benefit of every inference which could be drawn therefrom from other evidence in the record without objection. Therefore, in view of the evidence properly admitted, we are unable to say that the admission of the evidence assailed under the circumstances was prejudicial, or that it affected the result. Anderson v. Amusement Co., supra. These assignments of error, in our opinion, do not justify an order directing a retrial of the case.\nThe second group of assignments of error set out in the appellant\u2019s brief relates to the question as to whether the court erred in the charge to the jury in that it failed to state in a plain and correct manner the evidence in the case and to declare and explain the law arising thereon, as required by G. S., 1-180 (C. S., 564). The appellant contends that the court fell short of the requirements of the statute in that it failed to explain the liabilities of the defendant arising out of the relationship of master and servant; failed to explain the doctrine of respondeat superior, in other words, the court failed to tell the jury that the defendant would be liable for the negligence of its servants in the course and scope of their employment. And examination of the charge reveals the facts that his Honor nowhere therein referred to the doctrine of respondeat superior or charged upon the relationship of master and servant, notwithstanding the fact that the plaintiff\u2019s alleged cause of action is bottomed upon an allegation that she was injured by the negligence of the servant of the defendant in allowing some slick substance to accumulate on the floor of the foyer of the defendant\u2019s theatre, which caused her, an invitee, to slip and fail to her great injury.\nThe defendant, appellee, states in its brief, with which we agree, that the question posed by these assignments of error is: \u201cWas the plaintiff prejudiced by the failure of His Honor to more fully charge the jury with reference to the question of the master and servant relationship ?\u201d In the light of the trial we are of the opinion, and so hold, that the question should be answered in the negative. Indeed, there were no issuable facts for the reason that the relationship of master and servant existed between the defendant and the witness Levi Moss, the janitor at the theatre, was admitted by both sides, and was tried by the court upon that theory. Even though it be conceded that the doctrine of respondeat superior was a substantive feature on which the court is required to give instructions,, the court sufficiently instructed with reference to the question involved.\nIt is the defendant\u2019s position that his Honor fully charged the jury with reference to the master and servant relationship. The only evidence from which the jury could infer that the servants and employees of the defendant corporation were negligent was that of the statement made by the janitor, Levi Moss, to Mrs. Webb, in answer to her question, \u201cWhat is that slippery substance on the floor?\u201d to which the janitor replied, \u201cIt is what I was cleaning the floor with.\u201d Therefore, if this is evidence from which negligence can be inferred, his Honor throughout his charge fully and amply instructed the jury that it was the janitor of the defendant corporation who was responsible for the negligence. The parties and his Honor tried this case upon the admission and contention of the defendant that Levi Moss was the agent, servant and employee of the defendant corporation, and that it was liable for his negligence.\nThe remaining assignments of error set out in the appellant\u2019s brief relate to the court\u2019s overruling plaintiff\u2019s motion to set aside the verdict, and in signing the judgment. These assignments of error are formal. The motions were directed to the discretion of the court and its rulings thereon are not reviewable in the absence of abuse of such discretion. Bailey v. Mineral Co., 183 N. C., 525, 112 S. E., 29, and cases there cited. These assignments of error are therefore without merit.\nThe verdict sustains the judgment.\nNo error.",
        "type": "majority",
        "author": "Schenck, J."
      }
    ],
    "attorneys": [
      "Burlce & Burke and Lewis & Lewis for plaintiff, appellant.",
      "Adam's, Dearman & Winberry for defendant, appellee."
    ],
    "corrections": "",
    "head_matter": "MRS. W. E. WEBB v. STATESVILLE THEATRE CORPORATION.\n(Filed 8 May, 1946.)\n1. Negligence \u00a7 18: Appeal and Error \u00a7 39d\u2014\nIn an action to recover for injuries sustained by a patron of a theatre in a fall on the foyer floor, allegedly as a result of shine foreign, slippery substance on the floor, the admission of evidence, over objection, that there were approximately 230 other patrons of the theatre that day and that none of them fell while walking on the foyer floor, oven if such negative evidence is incompetent, does not constitute prejudicial error when it appears that the circumstance relied on by defendant was established by other testimony admitted without objection.\n2. Trial \u00a7 31b\u2014\nThe failure of the court to charge the jury upon the principle of respondeat superior cannot be held for error as failing to declare and explain the law arising oil the evidence when it appears that defendant admitted the existence of the relationship of master and servant between itself and the alleged tort-feasor and its liability for any negligence on his part, and that the case was tried throughout on this theory. G. S., 1-180.\n3. Trial \u00a7 49\u2014\nA motion to set aside the verdict is addressed to the discretion of the trial court, and its ruling thereon is not reviewable in the absence of abuse of such discretion.\nAppeal by plaintiff from Phillips, J., at November Term, 1945, of IREDELL.\nThis is an action to recover damage for personal injuries alleged to have been caused by the negligence of the, agent of the defendant in allowing oil, grease, water or other substance to be placed on and remain upon the floor of the foyer or walkway leading from the ticket office to the door of the theatre operated by the defendant in Statesville, N. C., thereby causing plaintiff, a patron of the theatre and an invitee of the defendant, to slip and fall in said foyer or walkway to her great damage and injury.\nThe case was tried upon three issues, to wit: \u201c1. Vas the plaintiff injured by the negligence of the defendant as alleged in the complaint? 2. If so, did the plaintiff by her own negligence contribute to her injury, as alleged in the answer? 3. Vhat damages, if any, is the plaintiff entitled to recover of the defendant?\u201d\nThe jury answered the first issue in the negative, whereupon the court signed judgment to the effect that the plaintiff recover nothing, and that she be taxed with the costs of the aetion. From this judgment the plaintiff appealed, assigning errors.\nBurlce & Burke and Lewis & Lewis for plaintiff, appellant.\nAdam's, Dearman & Winberry for defendant, appellee."
  },
  "file_name": "0342-01",
  "first_page_order": 390,
  "last_page_order": 393
}