Schmidt v. Steinway & Hunter's Point Railroad

8 N.Y.S. 664, 29 N.Y. St. Rep. 201, 55 Hun 606, 1890 N.Y. Misc. LEXIS 1706

• Court: New York Supreme Court
• Decided: February 12, 1890
• Status: Published

Opinion

Pratt, J.

Defendant’s counsel are quite correct in their contention that tile burden of proving negligence rests upon the plaintiff, but we are not able to agree with them that negligence was not shown. The testimony shows that the pipe was standing in full sight of the driver, and was in fact seen by him before he drove against it. He was aware of the work in progress, and it was his duty to guard against injuring the employes. Of that he was conscious, and stopped his car, but his caution did not go so far as to be effectual. Had he looked into the sewer, which would not have required any appreciable time or trouble, he would have seen the plaintiff, and doubtless would have given him warning to remove. Clearly he should not have driven against the pipe, unless he knew no one was below it to be injured by its fall. His negligence in so doing is too clear to require argument. The excuse given for his going on, viz., that some one beckoned to him, does not help defendant. That may serve to show that another person was also negligent, but, where the negligence of two persons concur to cause an injury, neither person is excused; both are liable. Colegrove v. Railroad Co., 20 N. Y. 492. The driver could not excuse himself for not using due care, on the ground that he relied upon some other person to do it. Defendant’s counsel suggest that the person who beckoned to the driver was probably an employe of the contractor who was building the sewer. If that were so, it would have no legal importance in this action. The negligence of a co-employe might prevent plaintiff from recovering against the common employer, but it is well settled it will be no defense in an action against another person. Perry v. Lansing, 17 Hun, 34; Young v. Railroad Co., 30 Barb. 229. But we think the evidence tends to show, and, if not contradicted or explained, established, that the person who gave the word to the driver to proceed was an employe of defendant, for whose negligence it is, of course, responsible. It seems he was not of the sewer party, and the fact that the drivers obeyed his orders is evidence that he was in authority over them. If he was not, it is entirely clear they should not have acted upon his orders. We think, as argued by plaintiff’s counsel, that defendant could not relieve itself of the duty to conduct its business safely; and that, if it relied upon the contractor to notify his men when cars approached, it did not thereby relieve itself from liability. Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, costs to abide event. All concur.