{ "id": 5329774, "name": "John A. WILLIAMSON, Plaintiff-Appellant, and Royal Globe Insurance Group, Plaintiff-in-Intervention, v. E. J. SMITH, d/b/a E. J. Smith Plumbing & Heating, and J. R. Trenching and Excavating Company, Inc., Defendants-Appellees", "name_abbreviation": "Williamson v. Smith", "decision_date": "1971-03-26", "docket_number": "No. 539", "first_page": "517", "last_page": "522", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "82 N.M. 517" }, { "type": "parallel", "cite": "484 P.2d 359" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.M. Ct. App.", "id": 9025, "name": "Court of Appeals of New Mexico" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 52, "name_long": "New Mexico", "name": "N.M." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "141 A. 791", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "A.", "year": 1928, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "104 N.J.L. 575", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.J.L.", "case_ids": [ 171125 ], "year": 1928, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/njl/104/0575-01" ] }, { "cite": "75 L.Ed. 749", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "L. Ed.", "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "51 S.Ct. 24", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "S. Ct.", "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "282 U.S. 844", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6938369, 6938346, 6938322, 6938450, 6938422 ], "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/282/0844-03", "/us/282/0844-02", "/us/282/0844-01", "/us/282/0844-05", "/us/282/0844-04" ] }, { "cite": "156 Miss. 463", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Miss.", "case_ids": [ 371 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1930, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/miss/156/0463-01" ] }, { "cite": "293 N.W. 612", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "N.W.", "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "208 Minn. 168", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Minn.", "case_ids": [ 228924 ], "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/minn/208/0168-01" ] }, { "cite": "156 Kan. 21", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Kan.", "case_ids": [ 256579 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1942, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/kan/156/0021-01" ] }, { "cite": "200 Ark. 411", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ark.", "case_ids": [ 1453472 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1940, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ark/200/0411-01" ] }, { "cite": "30 F.2d 594", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 1748921 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/30/0594-01" ] }, { "cite": "144 S.E. 386", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1928, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "38 Ga.App. 518", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Ga. App.", "case_ids": [ 1438369 ], "year": 1928, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/ga-app/38/0518-01" ] }, { "cite": "164 Miss. 529", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Miss.", "case_ids": [ 1835809 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1932, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/miss/164/0529-01" ] }, { "cite": "167 Kan. 354", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Kan.", "case_ids": [ 1260081 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1949, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/kan/167/0354-01" ] }, { "cite": "171 Neb. 826", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "Neb.", "case_ids": [ 2527584 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/neb/171/0826-01" ] }, { "cite": "370 F.2d 281", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F.2d", "case_ids": [ 2049942 ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f2d/370/0281-01" ] }, { "cite": "81 N.M. 214", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5369995 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1970, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/81/0214-01" ] }, { "cite": "151 P. 238", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "P.", "year": 1915, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "20 N.M. 555", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 4714404 ], "year": 1915, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/20/0555-01" ] }, { "cite": "80 N.M. 102", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5353453 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/80/0102-01" ] }, { "cite": "79 N.M. 506", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2741241 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1968, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/79/0506-01" ] }, { "cite": "78 N.M. 593", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5322640 ], "weight": 2, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/78/0593-01" ] }, { "cite": "73 N.M. 8", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 5321232 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1963, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/73/0008-01" ] }, { "cite": "60 N.M. 379", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 1590421 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1955, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/60/0379-01" ] }, { "cite": "76 N.M. 712", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 8504666 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1966, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/76/0712-01" ] }, { "cite": "67 N.M. 267", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2714723 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1960, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/67/0267-01" ] }, { "cite": "69 N.M. 262", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.M.", "case_ids": [ 2787509 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1961, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nm/69/0262-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 841, "char_count": 15394, "ocr_confidence": 0.677, "pagerank": { "raw": 9.976916637553341e-08, "percentile": 0.5379595489930108 }, "sha256": "0f87da069ffb8bfddf9b704ca13c9906e4a7d344070b9c7cbe797a8224f60f43", "simhash": "1:8fa8eb05dc45f773", "word_count": 2719 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T17:16:32.756560+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "HENDLEY, J, and BLYTHE, District Judge, concur." ], "parties": [ "John A. WILLIAMSON, Plaintiff-Appellant, and Royal Globe Insurance Group, Plaintiff-in-Intervention, v. E. J. SMITH, d/b/a E. J. Smith Plumbing & Heating, and J. R. Trenching and Excavating Company, Inc., Defendants-Appellees." ], "opinions": [ { "text": "OPINION\nSPIESS, Chief Judge.\nThe plaintiff, Williamson, a journeyman plumber, was employed in laying a sewer line along the bottom of a trench which had been cut to and partially through a street in the City of Albuquerque. The particular work was being performed in connection with a construction project of Warren Properties. It appears that defendant, E. J. Smith, a master plumber, was employed by Warren Properties to assume charge of the plumbing work. Smith had secured the services of Williamson through a local union by means of an employment contract between Smith and the local union. The trench had been cut by J. R. Trenching and Excavating Company, Inc., (J.R.) through the use of a trenching machine.\nAs Williamson was performing his work in the bottom of the trench a cave-in occurred and as a result he was injured.\nThe soil in the area of the trench and at the point of the cave-in was composed of a loose sand overlaid by approximately four feet in thickness of hard, packed dirt. At the point of the cave-in the trench was about 10 feet 11 inches in depth.\nThe cause of the cave-in was attributed to the \u201csloughing off\u201d into the trench of the sand which supported the hard, packed dirt. This \u201csloughing off\u201d of the sand was due, at least in part, to vibrations caused by vehicular traffic upon the street.\nWilliamson, by his complaint, sought damages against Smith and J. R. on account of injuries which he had sustained upon the ground that both Smith and J. R. had a duty to shore and crib the trench and both failed so to do; that the cave-in odcurred and he was injured as a direct and proximate result of the failure of both Smith and J. R. to shore and crib the trench.\nIn answer to the complaint Smith and J. R., among other defenses, pled assumption of risk on the part of Williamson. Depositions of Williamson, Smith and the president of J. R. were taken. Thereafter Smith and J. R. moved for summary judgment dismissing the action. The trial court granted the motion and entered summary judgment, based upon a review, as is stated, of the \u201c * * * pleadings, depositions, affidavits, and other evidence, both oral and documentary, * * * \u201d the court concluding that \u201c * * * there is no genuine issue as to any material fact, that the plaintiff, John A. Williamson, voluntarily assumed the risk of the injuries complained of herein. * * * \u201d\nContrary to the language contained in the judgment, there is no showing that material other than the pleadings, depositions, and an affidavit were before the trial court for its consideration in granting the summary judgment. Williamson has appealed from the summary judgment. We affirm.\nWilliamson asserts that the trial court erred in determining, as a matter of law, that he had assumed the risk of injuries for which he sought damages. In substance, it is his position that genuine issues of material fact exist which must be submitted to and resolved by the trier of facts and consequently precluded entry of summary judgment.\nThe question, consequently, on this appeal is whether there is a genuine issue as to any material fact presented by the matter considered by the court upon the motion for summary judgment, namely, the pleadings, the depositions, and Williamson\u2019s affidavit. This issue must be considered from the standpoint of whether Williamson (1) knew the place where he was working was unsafe; (2) appreciated the danger, and (3) voluntarily assumed the risk. Reed v. Styron, 69 N.M. 262, 365 P.2d 912 (1961); Padilla v. Winsor, 67 N.M. 267, 354 P.2d 740 (1960); Dempsey v. Alamo Hotels, Inc., 76 N.M. 712, 418 P.2d 58 (1966).\nWe note here that Williamson, in addition to challenging the trial court\u2019s conclusion relating to the assumption of risk, likewise argues that the trial court erred in determining as a matter of law that he was guilty of contributory negligence. We do not consider this latter argument for the reason that the summary judgment, which we affirm, relates only to assumption of risk.\nThe trial court, when confronted with a motion for summary judgment must determine whether there is a genuine issue of material fact warranting submission of the case to the trier of facts. Zengerle v. Commonwealth Insurance Company of N. Y., 60 N.M. 379, 291 P.2d 1099 (1955).\nIt is fundamental that issues of fact are not to be decided on motions for summary judgment and such motion should be denied unless the court is convinced from all matters before it that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. Wieneke v. Chalmers, 73 N.M. 8, 385 P.2d 65 (1963); Butcher v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 78 N.M. 593, 435 P.2d 212 (Ct.App.1967).\nIt is likewise fundamental that on appeal from a summary judgment testimony will he reviewed in the most favorable aspect it will bea'r in support of the right to trial. Cortez v. Martinez, 79 N.M. 506, 445 P.2d 383 (1968). The defense of assumption of risk becomes a question of law where the evidence will support but one legitimate inference. Stewart v. Barnes, 80 N.M. 102, 451 P.2d 1006 (Ct.App.1969).\nThe issue as to whether a servant assumed the risk of injury is ordinarily a fact question to be determined by the trier of facts and is always so where reasonable men might draw different conclusions from the evidence, although when one inference only is deducible therefrom the question is for the court. See Crawford v. Western Clay & Gypsum Products Company, 20 N.M. 555, 151 P. 238 (1915).\nIt is undisputed that Williamson was an experienced plumber and had worked in the particular trench for a distance of some 300 feet above the place where the accident occurred and throughout this area he had encountered the problem of sand sloughing off in the ditch. He said: \u201c* * * It crawled in on us all the time. We had to keep it pushed back all the time.\u201d\nWilliamson was aware of the danger that a cave-in could result from the sloughing off of the sand from beneath the hard-packed surface dirt. He was asked \u201cDid you ever go up to him (Smith) and say it was a hazardous situation because it (sand) was sloughing off? A. I did. I told him we should drop some plywood in there and put something in between it and if it caved in it wouldn\u2019t catch a man. They said they didn\u2019t have any plywood.\u201d\nThere can be no question under Williamson\u2019s statement that he knew the trench in which he was working, or called upon to work, was unsafe. His statement to Smith discloses without dispute that he appreciated the danger of a cave-in.\nA further showing of Williamson\u2019s knowledge and appreciation of danger is demonstrated by the following:\n\u201cQ And you were aware of the fact that if the sand sloughed off, that the hard portion of the ditch would cave in on top of it ?\nA Well, now, that\u2019s something I couldn\u2019t answer for the simple reason that most of the time that crawling sand in a ditch that way will crawl in on you, you know, but that on top, nobody knows when it will turn loose.\nQ So, there\u2019s always that risk?\nA Yes, sir, there\u2019s that risk there.\nQ You knew that risk was present?\nA Yes, sir.\nQ As I understand it, you would not have gone down in the ditch or worked in the ditch had it not been for the fact that you wanted to work there on that job and make some money ?\nA Well, I wouldn\u2019t put it that way, I just put it in the way that any working man has to work to live and I was just after a living, that\u2019s all.\nI could have made just as much money on any other job as I could that one, but it\u2019s just the idea of having the job in town so you could be home with your family.\u201d ******\n\u201cQ And you felt that if you refused to go down in that ditch that your employer would discharge you, is that correct?\nA Yes, sir. Any time you refuse to do what the foreman tells you, you can go home.\u201d\n* * * * * *\n\u201cQ As I understand it, you told Mr. Smith that you thought that there ought to be two pieces of plywood held apart by a two-by-four or something ?\nA Yes, sir.\nQ Did you tell him that after he told you to go down into the ditch?\nA Well, yes, sir. We were there\u2014 whenever he was digging the ditch, we all stood there and talked about the ditch and were watching the sand in the bottom cave-in on the ditch and he said, 'you reckon it will cave?\u2019 I said, \u2018it could.\u2019 I says, \u2018if we had two pieces of ply board and put down there and put a two-by-four between them, if it did cave, then it wouldn\u2019t catch a man in there.\u2019\nQ Who asked you if you reckoned it would cave-in?\nA Mr. Smith.\u201d\nIt appears to be undisputed that Williamson, as shown by his own statements, knew the place in which he was working was unsafe and that he fully appreciated the danger of the cave-in. With this knowledge and appreciation of danger he nevertheless went into the trench and continued working there until the cave-in occurred.\nIn our opinion, the elements of assumption of risk are unmistakably present and were properly so determined as a matter of law.\nWilliamson argues that the conclusion that he assumed the risk as a matter of law, is not sustainable where by reason of economic coercion or compulsion he felt compelled to accept the risk to avoid possible loss of employment. He argues that a fact question conseque'ntly was presented as to whether he had voluntarily assumed the risk. Williamson stated, as we have quoted, that he felt he would lose the particular employment if he declined to work in the trench. His affidavit also indicates that a discharge from the particular employment would prejudice his right to secure work on other projects. The rule generally followed, and which we consider applicable here, is that if a servant undertakes the performance of work, the danger of which he fully comprehends, the fact that he undertakes it through fear or threat of dismissal will not relieve him of the assumption of risk. Jasper v. Lumpee, 81 N.M. 214, 465 P.2d 97 (1970); Demarest v. T. C. Bateson Constr. Co., 370 F.2d 281 (10th Cir.1966); Gamble v. Gamble, 171 Neb. 826, 108 N.W.2d 92 (1961); Gabbard v. Sharp, 167 Kan. 354, 205 P.2d 960 (1949); Louisville & N. R. Co. v. Russell, 164 Miss. 529, 144 So. 478 (1932); Newman v. Griffin Foundry & Machine Co., 38 Ga.App. 518, 144 S.E. 386 (1928); Vol 2, Shearman and Redfield on Negligence (Revised Ed. 1941), pg. 589.\nWilliamson takes the position that Padilla v. Winsor, supra, is controlling here and fully supports his assertion of error on the part of the trial court.\nPadilla was a master-servant case. Padilla was employed by Winsor as a ranch hand and was furnished two riding horses for his use; one named Elmer and one named Trigger. Padilla was informed by Winsor that both horses were gentle. He was instructed to ride one of the horses one day and the other the next, alternating them. Padilla rode both horses almost daily from August 15th, 1955 to November 21st, 1955, when he was injured as a result of being thrown from Trigger when he started bucking. Padilla preferred Trigger because Elmer was prone to stumble and he considered Trigger a better horse, gentle, and easier to handle if he had to be loaded into a pickup in the pasture.\nPrior to the accident Trigger bad bucked with Padilla. Relating to this incident the following testimony is quoted in the opinion.\n\u201c \u2018Q. Did you tell Mr. Winsor about your experience with the horse that morning and what the horse did? A. Yes, when we was driving the bunch I told Mr. Winsor that Trigger had throwed me down and we began to talk about him, and he said that he throwed him once, too, but I didn\u2019t pay much attention to the old man because Mr. Winsor used to use just one spur, and I thought that he had catched the horse with a spur and that\u2019s what make him buck, so I didn\u2019t pay much attention that the horse was mean.\n\u2018Q. ' But Mr. Winsor did tell you that the horse had thrown him? A. Yes, one day that he and Severda was working cattle he said that horse started bucking without reason, but I kind of jumped Mr. Winsor that he had hooked him with a spur.\u2019 \u201d\nThe court appears to have taken the view that because Trigger had bucked on two previous occasions did not necessarily render him an unsafe horse. Padilla, consequently, could not as a matter of law be charged with knowing that the horse was unsafe. Judicial notice was taken of the fact \u201c * * * that horses no matter how gentle, with slight provocation, or without any known provocation, will sometimes shy, jump or even start to buck.\u201d\nThe court concluded that because Padilla knew that Trigger had bucked twice before the accident was not a sufficient basis upon which to determine assumption of risk as a matter of law.\nIn the instant case, as we have said, Williamson knew the place provided for him to perform his work was unsafe and fully appreciated the danger; in this respect it differs from Padilla.\nWilliamson appears to argue that a servant does not assume any risks resulting from his continuing to work and use the instrumentality about which he has complained and is seeking to have the master remedy, citing Padilla and Vol. 2, Shear-man and Redfield on Negligence, (Revised Ed, 1941), pg. 589.\nThis rule, in our opinion, is not applicable here because, although Williamson did complain about the unsafe condition of the trench and did seek to have a protective device installed he was told that such device would not be provided.\nThe fact that a servant has complained of an unsafe condition does not relieve him of the assumption of risk in the absence of an assurance or promise, express or implied, by the master that the condition will be remedied. See Hallstein v. Pennsylvania R. Co., 30 F.2d 594 (6th Cir.1929); Western Arkansas Telephone Co. v. Grantham, 200 Ark. 411, 139 S.W.2d 49 (1940); McDaniel v. Myers, 156 Kan. 21, 131 P.2d 650 (1942); Liptak v. Karsner, 208 Minn. 168, 293 N.W. 612 (1940); Mobile & O. R. Co. v. Clay, 156 Miss. 463, 125 So. 819 (1930), Certiorari denied Clay v. Mobile & O. R. Co., 282 U.S. 844, 51 S.Ct. 24, 75 L.Ed. 749 (1930); Ducjack v. New Jersey Zinc Co., 104 N.J.L. 575, 141 A. 791 (1928).\nWilliamson further argues that he \u201c * * * knew deep ditches in sandy soil could be dangerous but nevertheless undertook to work in the one in which he was injured. However, * * * he didn\u2019t know this ditch was going to cave in. * * * \u201d He says that this situation cannot be distinguished from Padilla.\nAs we have stated, it is the appreciation of the danger that the ditch -could cave in which supplies an element of assumption of risk rather than a knowledge that the ditch was, in fact, going to cave in. We do not read Padilla as requiring a contrary holding.\nWe conclude that no genuine issue of material fact was present which precluded the entry of summary judgment and the entry of the summary judgment was proper. The judgment is affirmed.\nIt is so ordered.\nHENDLEY, J, and BLYTHE, District Judge, concur.", "type": "majority", "author": "SPIESS, Chief Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Irwin S. Moise, Sutin, Thayer & Browne, Albuquerque, for plaintiff-appellant.", "J. J. Monroe, Joe Diaz, Iden & Johnson, Albuquerque, for appellee E. J. Smith.", "C. LeRoy Hansen, Civerolo, Hansen & Wolf, Albuquerque, for appellee J. R. Trenching and Excavating Co." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "484 P.2d 359\nJohn A. WILLIAMSON, Plaintiff-Appellant, and Royal Globe Insurance Group, Plaintiff-in-Intervention, v. E. J. SMITH, d/b/a E. J. Smith Plumbing & Heating, and J. R. Trenching and Excavating Company, Inc., Defendants-Appellees.\nNo. 539.\nCourt of Appeals of New Mexico.\nMarch 26, 1971.\nCertiorari Granted April 21, 1971.\nIrwin S. Moise, Sutin, Thayer & Browne, Albuquerque, for plaintiff-appellant.\nJ. J. Monroe, Joe Diaz, Iden & Johnson, Albuquerque, for appellee E. J. Smith.\nC. LeRoy Hansen, Civerolo, Hansen & Wolf, Albuquerque, for appellee J. R. Trenching and Excavating Co." }, "file_name": "0517-01", "first_page_order": 573, "last_page_order": 578 }