Lemons v. Superior Machine Tool Co.

179 N.E.2d 750, 133 Ind. App. 19, 1962 Ind. App. LEXIS 141
CourtIndiana Court of Appeals
DecidedFebruary 6, 1962
DocketNo. 19,033
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 179 N.E.2d 750 (Lemons v. Superior Machine Tool Co.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Indiana Court of Appeals primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Lemons v. Superior Machine Tool Co., 179 N.E.2d 750, 133 Ind. App. 19, 1962 Ind. App. LEXIS 141 (Ind. Ct. App. 1962).

Opinion

Bierly, J.

Appellant’s third amended complaint alleged, in substance, that on October 25, 1951, appellant was a truck driver for the Becraft Motor Express, Inc., and “as a part” of his employment with the latter he was employed “only to drive and operate a truck” and no part of his duties “permitted” him to unload freight; that on the date aforesaid he drove said truck loaded with steel to the plant of the appellee for the purpose of having it then and there unloaded by appellee; that to unload said truck it was necessary to use hoists and cranes; that appellee’s employees and servants “requested” appellant to give a hand and help in unloading said steel; that at the time he “went to the assistance” of said employees he “stepped outside the scope of any employment” with his employer, was performing a service completely outside of his employment with his employer, against the express rules and regulations of “the Union Contract which existed” and not with the previous knowledge or consent of his employer; that in assisting said employees of appellee, he was not an employee of the latter, but that such act was performed “on his own as an accommodation” to said employees. The said act of assistance was not necessary to his life, comfort and convience and was not “incidental” to his employment, and was not an act growing out of his employment, and in the course of his employment, so that appellant at said time “was not subject to the provisions of the Indiana Workman’s Compensation Act.”

It is further alleged that while he stood beside his load of steel at the direction of appellee’s employees, the latter attached some chains around a bundle of [21]*21steel and started to lift it with the use of a hoisting lift, and “without any warning” to appellant, “suddenly” lifted said bundle of steel and caused it to swing “off of the truck” and directly toward appellant; that appellee was then and there careless and negligent in certain alleged particulars; and that as a direct and proximate result of appellee’s carelessness and negligence, appellant was injured in certain alleged particulars.

Appellant’s original action was duly commenced and his first complaint filed on October 24, 1952, his second amended complaint was filed on March 21, 1955, and his third amended complaint was filed on June 6, 1956. On September 14, 1956, appellee filed its answer in the general nature of a denial of the material averments of said third amended complaint, and on November 26, 1956 filed a second paragraph of answer to said third amended complaint, alleging, in substance, that at the time alleged in said third amended complaint, viz: October 25, 1951, appellant was employed by the Becraft Motor Express, Inc., and “as such” was entitled to the benefits of the Indiana Workman’s Compensation Act; that appellant asserted no cause of action against appellee until more than six months had elapsed from after October 25, 1951; and that by reason of the foregoing, appellant’s cause of action is barred by the Statute of Limitations. Appellant replied in denial of said second paragraph of appellee’s answer. On the issues thus formed the case went to trial with the result above stated.

Appellant’s motion for a new trial consists of thirteen specifications of error. As appellant bore the burden of proof of the allegations of his third amended complaint, specification number 1 of the new trial motion, asserting insufficiency [22]*22of the evidence is unavailable to him insofar as the material allegations of his third amended complaint are concerned. Specifications two and three assert that the verdict of the jury is contrary to law. Specification No. 4 of said motion charges error in the refusal to give certain numbered instructions tendered by appellant, and Specification No. 5 thereof asserts error in the giving by the court of certain numbered instructions tendered by appellee. In its brief, the latter states that no error can be predicated by appellant on the refusal to give and the giving by the court of said severally complained of instructions inasmuch as appellant failed to bring into the record all the instructions given by the court. In his reply brief, appellant says that all the instructions given “at the conclusion” of the case are in the “record,” and that the court’s preliminary instructions “apparently are not in the record.”

Rule 2-17 (d) of the Supreme Court Rules provides that when error is predicated on the giving or refusal of instructions, the appellant’s brief “must maintain in addition to those complained of, all the instructions given or tendered which have a bearing upon the questions raised.” We are unable to determine from the briefs filed herein whether or not the concededly omitted instructions have or could have a bearing on the questions sought to be presented by appellant. To simply say that those omitted are “preliminary” instructions fails to establish that they are without any bearing on such questions. Since the omitted instructions are not in the record at all, as appellant concedes, we are deprived the privilege of ascertaining for ourselves, even though it is not our duty so to do, whether such omitted instructions do or may be said to have a [23]*23bearing on the questions sought to be presented. We are thus precluded from determining the errors claimed by appellant in said Specifications Nos. 4 and 5 of said new trial motion. Iterman v. Baker (1938), 214 Ind. 308, 319, 15 N. E. 2d 365; Smith v. Gerner (1949), 119 Ind. App. 247, 249, 85 N. E. 2d 516; The M. S. Huey Co. v. Johnston (1905), 164 Ind. 489, 498, 73 N. E. 996; Hall v. State ex rel. Freeman (1944), 114 Ind. App. 328, 335, 52 N. E. 2d 370.

Specification No. 6 of the new trial motion asserts error by the court in admitting into evidence, over appellant’s objection, of what are referred to as appellee’s Exhibits A. to N., inclusive. These exhibits appear to be certified copies of proceedings before the Industrial Board of Indiana instituted by appellant on November 18, 1952 seeking compensation from his employer, Paul R. Syner, d/b/a Beer aft Motor Express, for personal injuries received by appellant on October 25, 1951 by reason of an accident “arising out of and in the course of his employment.” It further appears from said exhibits that an award was made in appellant’s favor based on an agreement between appellant and his said employer and that appellant received benefits thereunder; that by reason of a change in physical impairment, a further award was made by said Board on April 9, 1953, for benefits beginning on October 25, 1951, with credit for the benefits previously paid to appellant; that as the result of a petition by appellant on July 6, 1954, and a letter from his counsel dated July 1, 1954, said Board on November 24, 1954, set aside said award of April 9, 1953.

Appellant’s objection to said Exhibits A. to N. inclusive, and the errors charged to the court in rejecting certain evidence prof erred by the appellant, as [24]*24asserted in Specifications 7 to 13, inclusive, of said motion, all seem to reach to the same point and seek the same end. As we understand appellant’s briefs, it is claimed by him that said Exhibits A.

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Cite This Page — Counsel Stack

Bluebook (online)
179 N.E.2d 750, 133 Ind. App. 19, 1962 Ind. App. LEXIS 141, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/lemons-v-superior-machine-tool-co-indctapp-1962.