Fleck v. Union Railway Co.

134 Mass. 480, 1883 Mass. LEXIS 335

• Court: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
• Decided: March 2, 1883
• Status: Published

Opinion

C. Allen, J.

There was some evidence tending to show carelessness on the part of the plaintiff, but, under all the circumstances stated, it was not so palpable as to preclude him from a right to have it passed upon by the jury. Standing on the rear platform of a street car in motion, when there is room inside, is not conclusive. The existence of snow and ice upon the platform is not necessarily such an element of danger as to be conclusive proof of negligence on the part of one who, with knowledge, undertakes to stand there for a moment or two, in expectation of the car’s stopping to let him get off. Omitting to take hold of the rail will not of itself, as matter of law, prevent a recovery. Nor do these facts when combined show a case where common experience and the general sense of all prudent persons at once stamp the act as one of carelessness and reckless disregard of personal safety. The case does not fall within Wills v. Lynn Boston Railroad, 129 Mass. 351, and other cases, where it could properly be held that, as matter of law, the plaintiff did not sustain the burden of proving that he was in the exercise of due care; but rather within the class of cases of which Treat v. Boston & Lowell Railroad, 131 Mass. 371, may be taken as an example. No question is presented as to whether there was any sufficient evidence of negligence on the part of the defendant. The case had not reached a proper stage for a ruling on that point. 1Yew trial granted.