Ala. G. S. Railroad v. Arnold

80 Ala. 600

• Court: Supreme Court of Alabama
• Decided: December 15, 1886
• Status: Published

Opinion

CLOPTON, J.

The original complaint, which contained but one count, sets forth as the cause of action, that the plaintiff, on February 10, 1885, sustained injuries by reason of the negligence of defendant in failing to provide light at a station, called Boligee, where persons desiring to take passage on the trains were required to purchase tickets, and to which place the plaintiff went for the purpose of purchasing a ticket, to take passage on a train which arrived after dark. After, the expiration of more than one year from the time of the injury, the complaint was amended by the addition of another count, which alleges the same injury, as occurring at the same time and from the same cause, as in the original complaint, but introduces a minute description of the height, dimensions, and condition of the platform on whish the ticket-office was erected, and of the steps leading thereto. To these additional allegations the defendant pleaded the statute of limitations. The amendment does not introduce a new cause of action, but varies the allegations as to a matter already in issue. The in jury, and the negligence complained of as the cause, are the same as set forth in both counts; and while it is averred that the construction of the steps and platform rendered them unsafe and dangerous, this does not constitute the negligence alleged to be the cause of the injury, on account of which a recovery is sought; but, as we interpret the count, the allegations are intended to show a greater, and more imperative duty to provide a light, from the failure to do which, it is distinctly and expressly averred in the new count, the injuries resulted. Under neither count is the plaintiff entitled to recover for any negligence, other than the failure to provide a light. — T. W. & W. Ry. Co. v. Foss, 88 Ill. 551. The statute'of limitations will not avail, when the amendment does not introduce a new cause of action, unless the bar is complete at the time of the institution of the suiD — Dowling v. Blackman, 70 Ala. 303.

The right of the defendant to the affirmative charges requested is rested on two grounds — -that the evidence fails to establish the legal relation of cause and effect between the particular negligence or wrong described, and the fall and injuries complained of; and that plaintiff’s own negligence contributed thereto. Unquestionably, the negligence of the defendant must be the proximate cause of the injury to entitle the plaintiff to recover; that is, that the injury sustained was such, as might have been reasonably anticipated in the ordinary and usual course of events. No difficulty arises when the damage directly follows the wrong; when they are so proximately cotemporaneous, that no time or occasion is afforded for the operation of another instrumentality. It ordinarily arises, when there is an intervening cause, or several causes contributing to the result. Generally, in such ease, the law will attribute the injury to the last cause, when it follows in immediate succession. But the agency nearest in point of time is not regarded in every case as the proximate cause in contemplation of law. The injury will be referred to the nearest and immediate agency only when it is independent of the original act or conduct of the defendant. If the intervening causes are merely incidental, having been set in motion by the first cause, and are not new and independent forces sufficient of themselves to cause the disaster, the law passes these, and traces the injury to the wrongful act, which puts them in operation. The principle is, that if the injury is produced by the wrongful act during the continuance of its causation, it will be regarded as the proximate cause; but as too remote, though furnishing the occasion, when the injury occurs after the act is completed and terminated, by the intervention of another and independent cause. “On the intervention of other agencies, the inquiry should be, is the original wrongful act an antecedent, efficient, and dominant cause, which put the other causes in operation ?”• — -Cooley on Torts 70; Insurance Co. v. Bonn, 95 U. S. 117; Billman v. In. Cin. & LaF. R. R. Co., 40 Amer. Rep. 230; Jordan v. Hyatt, 4 Gratt. 151; Ricker v. Freeman, 9 Amer. Rep. 267; Sheridan v. Brooklyn C. & N. R. R. Co., 36 N. Y. 39; East Tenn., V. & G. R. R. Co. v. Lockhart, 49 Ala. 315.

But it is unnecessary to pursue this line of consideration further ; for it will be observed, there is no pretence of a third independent cause having intervened ; but the contention is that the proximate cause was, the slipping of plaintiff’s foot from under him, as he was stepping from the platform ; and that the fall and injury were, either purely- accidental, or the result of a want of ordinary care and caution on his part. In the cases to which our attention has been cited, there was, either an independent intervening cause, or the action of the independent will of the party injured, or contributory- negligence. In one of the cases, Henry v. St. Louis, Kan. City & No. Ry. Co., 43 Amer. R. 762, the plaintiff, being a passenger, was directed to change cars at a way station, and having entered the caboose attached to another train, was ordered to get out by an employee, because the train was not ready. After standing a short time on the platform, he stepped on an adjacent track, and while standing there was injured by another train. It is said : “If any injury had happened to him while in the act of prudently obeying the order to get out of the caboose, such injury would have been the proximate result of his expulsion, but after he was out of the caboose he was entirely free to select his own position, and did so after some minutes of meditation and consultation as to what course he should pursue.” And further: “If the plaintiff, at the time he was injured, had been on his way to the caboose or otherwise lawfully crossing the track, and before crossing the same had looked and listened and could neither see nor hear an approaching train, he would undoubtedly have a right of action.” The principle extracted is, that his expulsion was not the proximate cause, though the occasion, of his injury, by reason of having put himself, in the exercise of his independent will, in an unlawful position, after the causative power of his expulsion had terminated ; but if in consequence of the order to leave the caboose, he had been in a position where he could be lawfully, and had exercised due care, the injury would have been referred to the expulsion. It may be conceded, that the immediate occasion of the fall and injury of plaintiff was the slipping of his foot. But back of this recurs the question, was a light necessary to enable persons to see their way safely from the ticket-office to the cars, and was the want of such light the efficient and dominant cause, producing the false step, which caused plaintiff’s foot to slip ? Though no action lies if the fall was accidental, and without the fault of defendant, these are questions resting in inference, and were properly submitted to the jury. There being evidence tending to show, that the fall and injury of plaintiff immediately followed his leaving the ticket-office, it cannot be affirmed as matter of law, that the absence of light, if such be the fact, was not the proximate cause. E. T., V. & G. R. R. Co. v. Lockhart, supra.

As long and well settled in this State, contributory negligence is matter of defense, and the burden of establishing it is on the defendant. Unless there is no conflict in the evidence, and no material fact left to inference, unlesson the undisputed facts, and all inferences that may be reasonably deduced, it follows as a conclusion of law, the affirmative charge was properly refused. The argument is, that plaintiff was in no possible danger while he remained in the ticket-office ; that he knew the surroundings and the circumstances which endangered him, and that they demanded precautionary measures; notwithstanding which, he chose to take the risk without calling for light or assistance, the omission of which is want of ordinary care. The principle invoked is, that if a passenger unnecessarily exposes himself to danger, he does so at his own peril; and that to put his life in jeopardy to save himself from mere inconvenience, is inexcusable rashness. The law unquestionably devolves on railroad companies the obligation, not only to properly construct and keep in safe condition their ticket-office, and the platforms and approaches thereto, but also to provide sufficient and suitable light when the trains arrive and depart in the night-time. — Mo. & Eu. R. R. Co. v. Thompson, 77 Ala. 448.

The plaintiff was at the station by the implied invitation of defendant. He-had purchased a ticket, intending to take passage on the expected train; and there is evidence tending to show that he remained in the ticket-office until the approach of the train was announced by the blowing of the whistle. The necessity of persons desiring to take passage on the trains, and the invitation to the travelling public to go to the ticket-office, is a standing and continuing assurance, that.due precaution will be taken to insure safety. If the defendant held out to the plaintiff that the situation and' condition of the platform and steps were such as to afford safe and suitable passage without a light -from the ticket-office to the train, less vigilance and care will be required. — Gaynor v. Old. Col. & New Ry. Co., 100 Mass. 208. Ordinary care, as generally defined, is such care as men of common prudence use in like position and circumstances. The plaintiff can not be deemed, prima faeie, guilty of a want of ordinary care, if he did what all other persons, in like circumstances, had done for years without accident or injury.— City Council of Montgomery v. Wright, 72 Ala. 411. If therefore, by the fact that defendant held out the place as safe and suitable, by the plaintiff’s familiarity with the situation, and by its constant and actnal use, he was induced to Iona fide believe that he could pass with safety, using due care in walkiug, and he did use such care, he can not be charged with having unnecessarily exposed himself to danger, ór with a want of ordinary care and caution. On the other hand, if the plaintiff knew that it was dangerous to attempt to pass in the dark, and did not honestly believe that he could do so without accident or injury, and there was a light convenient, of which he would have had the benefit, and he omitted to. avail' himself of its advantage, these are circumstances, which may be considered in determining whether the plaintiff unnecessarily exposed himself to danger. But these material facts resting in inference, it results that the question of contributory negligence was properly submitted to the jury.

The circumstances under which exemplary damages may be assessed, have been so often, so fully, and so recently considered, that further discussion is not required. The record not informing ns that special instructions were asked, relating to the circumstances under which such damages may be allowed, a mere statement of the rule will suffice. Without resting its application to be determined by the shadowy and indefinable line that distinguishes gross from ordinary negligence, a somewhat more specific rule has been established by our decisions. That rule is, when negligence is so gross as to evince an entire want of care, and is sufficient to raise a presumption that the defendant, being cognizant of the probable consequences, is indifferent to the danger to which the persons or property of others may be exposed — “a conscious indifference to consequences” — exemplary damages may be awarded. It is not necessary that the injury shall be wilful.— Wilkinson v. Searcy, 76 Ala. 176; Leinkauf v. Morris, 66 Ala. 406; S. & N. Ala. R. R. Co. v. McLendon, 63 Ala. 266. In the case last cited, the plaintiff sustained injuries caused by the failure and neglect to keep in proper repair a bridge, which the railroad company had erected on its right of way on a public highway, and which had been out of repair for several weeks. It was held, that the plaintiff might recover exemplary damages, if the negligence was gross, and that a charge that the plaintiff can not recover such damages was properly refused, the degree of negligence being a question for the determination of the jury. The same ruling is applicable in the present case. ITad the instruction been given in the terms written, the court would have invaded the province of the jury.

It is difficult to conceive any step or proceeding taken in open court, by either party, in the conduct and progress of a trial, of which the adversary party has not the undoubted right to be informed, and the opportunity to examine, and deny or avoid. Concealment and secrecy, in such case, are violations of the rights of litigants, and contravene the policy of public trials, and the right of every party to be heard. There is no error in the 'court having permitted the attorneys of the plaintiff to examine the written charges requested by defendant. An examination was proper, and may have been necessary to enable them to determine whether to waive, except, or ask explanatory or qualifying instruction.

' The uniform practice was, prior to the 'enactment of section 3109 of the Code, and the general custom since has been to give instructions orally, and read, or caused to be read to the jury, charges required by the statute to be in writing. The section provides ‘‘Charges moved for by either party must be in writing, and must be given or refused in the terms in which they are written ; and it is the duty of the judge to write ‘given’ or ‘refused,’ as the case may be, on the document, and sign his name thereto, which thereby becomes a part of the record, and must be taken by the jury with them on their retirement.” The purpose of requiring requested instructions to be in writing is to prevent misunderstanding between the judge and the attorney. The judge is required to write given or refused, and sign the same, that they may become parts of the record; and the jury are allowed to take them during their deliberations, to avoid errors of memory, or failure of recollection, or the confusion of charges as given or refused. — Miller v. Hampton, 37 Ala. 342. It was not intended by providing that the jury may take the charges with them on their retirement, winch applies alike to those given and those refused, to abrogate the- practice of reading, or causing them to be read to the jury, and to substitute handing them to the jury therefor. Not having expressly declared the mode of giving instructions, the statute merely requires the judge to write given on such charges as are given, in conformity with the common practice. Reading the charges is calculated to impress the jury that instructions prepared by counsel and given are entitled to equal consideration with the general charge of the court, and to enable them more thoroughly to comprehend the principles of law applicable to the different aspects of the case, by having their attention thus specially directed to the instructions. All communications between the court and the jury should be had in the hearing of the parties. It was intended by the statute to prohibit withholding the charges from the jury, after having been read to them. It was the right of the defendant to have the instructions moved for and given read to the jury.' — Langworthy v. Myers, 14 Clarke (Iowa), 18.

While the nature and danger of the operation to which plaintiff was subjected are proper circumstances to be considered in determining thé anxiety and mental and physical pain caused thereby, and while it may have been proper to show the mere fact that he was i/nformed, without calling for the declarations themselves, it is not permissible to prove by the plaintiff for any purpose what the surgeon said to him. They do not fall within any of the exceptions to the general rule of the inadmissibility of hearsay evidence. — Blackman v. Johnson, 35 Ala. 252; Vicksburg & Mer. R. R. Co. v. O’Brien, 119 U. S. 99.

Reversed and remanded.