Anderson v. United Stages, Inc.
Anderson v. United Stages, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
The defendant appeals from a judgment rendered against it in an action to recover damages for personal injuries received in an automobile collision while the plaintiff was riding as a passenger of the defendant in one of its automobile stages. Since appellant in its reply brief concedes that it is liable to the plaintiff in some amount, we shall omit from further consideration all of the points relied upon in the opening brief, except those connected with the contention that the amount of the verdict is excessive.
There is evidence tending to prove that the plaintiff at the time of the accident was forty-seven years old and in the enjoyment of very good health; that when the collision occurred he immediately lost consciousness and did not regain consciousness until after he was in a hospital; that he received bruises on the head and other injuries to the back and hip; that his right ear was mangled and tom; that there were contusions on his right leg, right hip and in the scrotal region; that he was kept in the hospital about six weeks and during that time lost about twenty-four pounds in weight; that at a time four months subsequent to the accident his back was extremely tender, with marked pain in the groin, which the physician who examined him at that time considered to be the cause of the fact that plaintiff limped in walking. It is not necessary to state the evidence in further detail. Unquestionably it is sufficient to show that the injuries received were of a very serious character, not only with, regard to their severity at the time of the accident and during the period of recovery, but also that in some respects the resulting injuries are of a permanent character. Under these circumstances we would not be justified in concluding that the jury was influenced by passion or prejudice or abused its discretionary power in determining the amount of its verdict.
It is now contended by appellant that the trial court did have power to make and enforce the suggested order, irrespective of the consent of the other party, and that “the court erred in denying the motion.” It relies on the case of Johnston v. Southern Pac. Co., 150 Cal. 535, 540 [11 Ann. Cas. 841, 89 Pac. 348], as the controlling authority on this point. But an examination of that decision shows that the question presented here was not decided at all and was not before the court. In that case the defendant was seeking to obtain an order requiring the plaintiff to submit to a physical examination by reputable physicians selected by the defendant. The court refused to make the order solely because the court believed that it was powerless so to do. On appeal it was held that the court did have that power. It may well be that a court is authorized to make such an order in order to enable the defendant to obtain evidence necessary to his defense. But we do not think the law imposes upon the court any duty to obtain and produce evidence at the instance of one party without the consent of the adverse party.
The judgment is affirmed.
Lawlor, J., Waste, J., Kerrigan, J., Richards, J., pro tem., Seawell, J., and Wilbur, C. J., concurred.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- CARL ANDERSON, Respondent, v. UNITED STAGES, INC., Appellant
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published