Grimditch v. Ollson
Grimditch v. Ollson
Opinion of the Court
This is the defendant’s rule for a new trial. The plaintiff was injured in a collision between a Eord car, driven by himself, and an Oakland car, driven by one Peterson, who, it was claimed, was the agent of the defendant. The accident, as found by the jury, was due to the negligence of Peterson. Both cars were pleasure cars, though that of the defendant was sometimes used for business purposes. The accident happened about eight o’clock on the night of April 26th, 1925. The plaintiff was severely injured and recovered a verdict of $7,500.
The first reason urged for making absolute the rule is that the court should have controlled the case, and directed a verdict in favor of the defendant. We think the court could not, under the evidence, have so treated the case. The
The defendant’s counsel urge upon us as controlling the case of Doran v. Thomsen, 76 N. J. L. 754, where the daughter was driving a car belonging to the father, and the plaintiff relies on the case of Missell v. Hayes, 86 Id. 348, where the son was driving the car of the father for the enjoyment of the latter’s family. Without going-into the bearing of these cases on the present situation, it is sufficient to say that in the case before us the presumptions arising from ownership, as above indicated, were not so completely overthrown as to make the disposition of the case one for the court rather than for the jury.
We have examined the ruling of the court on the admission of evidence, next complained of, and find no error therein. Nor do we think the last reason, that the verdict was excessive, will justify making the rule absolute. The plaintiff’s injuries were serious. There was a fractured kneecap. It became infected and finally an operation was required. He was in the hospital sixtv-one days, and there was proof of much pain, resulting directly from the injuries and also from the manipulation necessary to effect the proper use of the limb. He was unable to work for a period of five months, and at the time of trial, two years after the accident, the knee was still weak and painful. It was less flexible, and its use seriously affected. There was a money loss in wages and expenses of treatment aggregating over $1,000.
The rule for a new trial is discharged.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- LEONARD GRIMDITCH, PLAINTIFF-RESPONDENT v. THOMAS OLLSON, DEFENDANT-PROSECUTOR
- Status
- Published