National Bank & Trust Co. v. State Highway Department
National Bank & Trust Co. v. State Highway Department
Opinion of the Court
As the result of a fatal accident on I-94 when the Woods’ automobile struck a barricade in the highway, plaintiffs filed their complaint alleging negligence in count I, gross negligence in count II and nuisance in count III. Following trial in the Court of Claims, the trial judge found that defendant was negligent and that decedent, Damon C. Woods, was contributorily negligent which barred the executor’s claim on count I. The trial court found no gross negligence, but it did find nuisance to which contributory negligence was not a defense. From a judgment for the executor and for the individual plaintiff, defendant appeals. The executor cross appeals on the adequacy of the damages awarded to it.
Shortly after midnight on September 4, 1968, Damon C. Woods was driving west on 1-94 with his wife, Lois D. Woods. Fog in the vicinity of the accident affected visibility. Due to construction on
Although traveling within the posted speed limit, the Woods’ vehicle struck the barricade. The impact caused a steel beam from the barricade to crash through the windshield, decapitating Mr. Woods. His head ended up in the back seat and his headless torso in the lap of his wife. She suffered no serious physical injuries, but she did suffer severe emotional shock.
Defendant first contends that the trial court’s finding of negligence is contrary to the great weight of the evidence. On the basis of the whole record we are unable to say that the finding of negligence of the state was clearly erroneous, GCR 1963, 517.1.
The trial court, sitting as the trier of the facts, found that defendant created and maintained a nuisance not grounded on negligence and that decedent Damon Woods’ contributory negligence was not a defense thereto.
We see no value in an extended discussion of the two generally recognized types of nuisance giving
Consonant with what we think is the interpretation of this rule by our Supreme Court, we believe that the question of the type of nuisance created in this case was one of fact. The trial judge as trier of the facts resolved the question in favor of plaintiffs and against the defendant. We do not feel we can substitute our judgment for his. Thus, we feel obliged to affirm this aspect of the case.
So holding we then reach the question of 'the adequacy or inadequacy of the damages awarded.
We find no error in the trial court’s finding that Lois D. Woods suffered a severe emotional shock as the result of this accident which has caused mental problems which presently persist. The finding justified the damage award to Mrs. Woods.
As to the pecuniary loss to decedent’s estate, again we are faced with the proposition that while we might have awarded a larger sum, the trier of the facts did not. The recent thrust of all our case
The judgment of the trial judge is affirmed.
We deny the relief sought by plaintiffs on the cross appeal. No costs, neither party having prevailed in full.
Dissenting Opinion
(dissenting). Before expressing the reasons for my dissent, I note one fact established by the record which is not mentioned in the majority opinion, namely: the barrier which decedent struck was adequately lighted.
The trial judge found defendant guilty of negligence, a finding affirmed by the majority and with which I agree. This negligence could only relate to the manner in which defendant obstructed traffic on westbound 1-94 and routed that traffic around the construction site. The nuisance found by the trial court had to be created by this negligence. Contributory negligence is a defense to a nuisance that has its origin in negligence, Denny v Garavaglia, 333 Mich 317, 329; 52 NW2d 521, 526-527 (1952). The trial judge found- that decedent was contributorily negligent and denied his estate’s claim for recovery on the basis of defendant’s negligence. The trial judge should have reached the same result on the estate’s claim for recovery on the theory of nuisance to which contributory negligence is a defense, Garavaglia, supra.
The majority opinion preserves this error by the trial judge by reasoning that he sat as trier of the
In Bluemer, supra, the Supreme Court quoted with approval from 66 CJS, Nuisances, § 3, pp 733, 734:
"A nuisance at law or a nuisance per se is an act, occupation, or structure which is a nuisance at all times and under any circumstances, regardless of location or surroundings. Nuisances in fact or per accidens are those which become nuisances by reason of circumstances and surroundings, and an act may be found to be a nuisance as a matter of fact where the natural tendency of the act is to create danger and inflict injury on person or property.”
In broad daylight or on a clear night, the manner in which defendant routed traffic around the construction site would not be a nuisance. It became such in the heavy fog that prevailed in the area on the night of this unfortunate accident.
Reversed as to the judgment in favor of the estate of Damon C. Woods; otherwise I concur with the majority opinion.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- In re WOODS ESTATE NATIONAL BANK & TRUST COMPANY OF ANN ARBOR v. STATE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published