Johnson v. Milhas

Supreme Court of Louisiana
Johnson v. Milhas, 141 La. 488 (La. 1917)
75 So. 216; 1917 La. LEXIS 1517
Land, Sommerville, Takes

Johnson v. Milhas

Opinion of the Court

LAND, J.

Plaintiff sued the defendant for $10,000 damages for an alleged broken leg, fractured by a heavy barrel, negligently and carelessly rolled off a wagon upon the plaintiff as she was passing along the sidewalk.

As a matter of fact, plaintiff’s leg was not broken or fractured by the barrel, but was lacerated to some extent on the rear portion between the knee and the ankle.

The defense was that the plaintiff was injured by carelessly walking against the barrel.

[1, 2] There was judgment for plaintiff for $500 and costs. Defendant has appealed, and the plaintiff has answered, praying for an increase of the amount of the award of damages.

Plaintiff was carried to the Charity Hospital on one of its ambulances, and there the injury was diagnosed as “contusion of left leg.” The following note of the case was entered :

“Patient says a man dropped a heavy barrel on left leg with the intent she thinks of hurting her. Her leg pained her very much. She was brought to hospital in ambulance. Above diagnosis made and post gutter splints applied.”

The next day the plaintiff was sent to the X-ray department for examination on “left leg — from mid one-third up and including the knee joint.” The report was, “No fracture.”

On the third day after her reception the plaintiff was allowed to go home, and on the fifth day was discharged. The medical testimony adduced on the trial failed to show any fracture of the leg, or any other injury beyond a painful contusion.

That the plaintiff was struck from behind by a heavy barrel carelessly thrown from a wagon onto the sidewalk by one of defendant’s employes was proven to the satisfaction of the trial judge.

We cannot say that the finding is erroneous, and see no good reason for a decrease, or for an increase, in the amount awarded as damages.

Judgment affirmed.

SOMMERVILLE, J., takes no part.

Reference

Full Case Name
JOHNSON v. MILHAS
Status
Published
Syllabus
(Syllabus by the Court.) 1. Appeal and Errob &wkey;>1012(l) — Question op Pact. In an action for damages for personal injuries, involving only questions of fact, the judgment below will be affirmed when not clearly against the preponderance of the evidence. [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Appeal and Error, Cent. Dig. §§ 3990-3992.] (Additional Syllabus by Editorial Staff.) 2. Damages &wkey;>131 (2) — Excessive Damages —Injury to Foot. A verdict for $500 to a woman plaintiff whose leg was lacerated to some extent on the rear part between the knee and the ankle, but was not injured beyond a painful contusion, would not be disturbed. [Ed. Note. — For other cases, see Damages, Cent. Dig. §§ 358-360, 370.]