Chesapeake & O. Ry. Co. v. Cowley

166 F. 283, 92 C.C.A. 201, 1908 U.S. App. LEXIS 4868

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• Decided: November 7, 1908
• Docket: No. 802
• Status: Published

Opinion

PER CURIAM.

The facts in this case vary in no material particular from those involved in the case of Choctaw, O. & G. R. Co. v. McDade, 112 Eed. 888, 50 C. C. A. 591, which subsequently was affirmed by the Supreme Court, after elaborate argument and careful consideration, without dissenting voice, 191 U. S. 64, 24 Sup. Ct. 24, 48 L. Ed. 96.

The legal principles involved have also been substantially considered by this court in the recent case of Norfolk & W. Ry. Co. v. Beckett, 163 Fed. 479 (advance sheets), where the facts also were very similar. In the McDade Case it was held that the maintenance of a water spout attached to a water tank constructed so near to the track as to allow such pipe to hang so low over passing cars as not to clear a brakeman on the top thereof was negligence per se, and that evidence showing that the brakeman, after being on top of a car passing such tank, was found lying by the track injured, was sufficient to justify a jury in finding that he had been struck by the spout so negligently maintained. In the Beckett Case the same principle is enunciated as to a stand pipe, so constructed, and, further, that servants of the company do not assume the risk from such structure merely because they know of its existence and general location. These principles are made fully applicable by the facts in this case.

We have carefully considered the assignments of error relating to the admission of testimony objected to, tire giving of instructions excepted to, and the refusal to give others asked for, and find the same to be without merit. The judgment of the court below is therefore affirmed.

Affirmed.