Farrell v. City of New York

113 A.D. 687, 99 N.Y.S. 947, 1906 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 1515

Opinion

Woodward, J.:

The plaintiff, driving a one-hoi'se delivery wagon on Myrtle avenue,'Flushing, was injured by his-horse falling into a hole and throwing him from the'wagon. It appears that it had been raining ■a few days prior to the accident and that the surface of the street had nothing to indicate that there- was any defect. But. when the horse reached the .point where the accident occurred the surface caved in, showing a cavity as large as a barrel. There was some evidence that there had been other cave-ins along the. sewer in this highway,.and that the ,authorities had filled them up as soon as they were discovered, and. we fail to see how the city could be charged with negligence Ayhere there, was no notice, actual or constructive, that a defect existed. The court charged that there was no evidence of any defect in the sexver to cause the cave-in, and' the law does not impose the burden of inspection to discover a possible defect in a highway Avhere the same has been properly constructed.- All that™ is' required is reasonable care, and we are of .opinion that the evidence failed to shoiv a lack of such cafe on the part of the defendant.' . -

The judgment and order appealed from should be reversed.

Jenks, Gaynor, and Rich, J J., concurred ; Hooker, J., dissented

Judgment and order reversed and 'new trial granted, costs to abide the event. *