Van Blarcom v. Public Service Co-ordinated Transport
Van Blarcom v. Public Service Co-ordinated Transport
Opinion of the Court
The defendants have a rule for new trial in this case in which there were a number of plaintiffs, occupants of an automobile which collided with defendant’s bus. Plantiffs received verdicts.
The accident happened at night in Passaic at the intersection of Passaic and Colombia avenues, the plaintiffs’ car proceeding north on Colombia avenue and defendant’s bus-going east on Passaic avenue. Colombia avenue is a stop street and it was claimed that the learned trial judge erred in refusing to charge requests covering the law on this point- and the law with regard to the lights carried by an automobile. Both requests were substantially covered in the general charge.
The award to Andrew Scarnici for $3,000 seems justified. His injuries consisted of a cut near the eye, lacerations of the leg and a number of cuts on his back, legs and ankle. He was employed as a bricklayer receiving wages of $14 per day and was obliged to remain away from his work for a period of three months. His injuries required medical attendance, particularly the lacerations on the face and legs. We cannot say that this award was excessive.
The verdict awarded to Joseph Kadzik of $2,000 was clearly not excessive. His injuries were severe and the effects in some instances permanent. He was obliged to lose five months at his work and it is claimed that when he returned to work his wages were reduced by reason of his inability to work as before.
To Jacob Kadzik, the father of Joseph, there was an award of $1,000. Here again we think the verdict was not excessive. The loss of wages already accrued, the medical attendance and the prospective diminution of the son’s earning power during; minority evinces that the verdict was not excessive.
It is said in defendant’s brief that the complaint alleged money loss to the father only for medical expenses and that no proof was presented of such payments. The case, however, seems to have been tried upon the theory of a money loss in wages and there was abundant proof of medical attendance which presumably must be paid for.
The remaining awards were small in amount, do not appear to be excessive and call for no special comment.
The rule is discharged.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- FRANK VAN BLARCOM, ANDREW SCARNICI, THOMAS SCARNICI, BY HIS NEXT FRIEND LOUIS SCARNICI, LOUIS SCARNICI, INDIVIDUALLY, JOHN GALLIVAN, BY HIS NEXT FRIEND EMMA GALLIVAN, EMMA GALLIVAN, INDIVIDUALLY, JOSEPH KADZIK, BY HIS NEXT FRIEND JAKOB KADZIK, AND JAKOB KADZIK, INDIVIDUALLY v. PUBLIC SERVICE COORDINATED TRANSPORT, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND CHARLES VANACKE
- Status
- Published