Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, 1917

Harris v. Interborough Rapid Transit Co.

Harris v. Interborough Rapid Transit Co.
Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York · Decided December 14, 1917 · Jenks
180 A.D. 563; 168 N.Y.S. 327; 1917 N.Y. App. Div. LEXIS 9123

Counsel

B. H. Ames [Frederick Allis and James L. Quackenbush with him on the brief], for the appellant., Vine H. Smith, for the respondent.

Harris v. Interborough Rapid Transit Co.

Opinion of the Court

Jenks, P. J.:

Although I am not unmindful of the large discretion reposed in the trial court, I cannot find justification for this order. The plaintiff was hurt by the closing of a door of a car. But she was not physically injured or even disfigured beyond bruises and their attendant discolorations and soreness. The permanent injuries charged are to the nervous system, and a condition related thereto rather remotely that subsequently caused a miscarriage. The trial was marked by the not unusual battle of medical experts. If the jury believed the medical testimony adduced by the plaintiff, it might well be said that their verdict of $250 was so inadequate as to justify interference, but not if the jury believed that kind of evidence adduced by the defendant. If-the jury accepted the latter testimony, it cannot be said that its verdict was against the weight of the credible evidence. The principle that should control is stated in Harrold v. New York Elevated R. R. Co. (24 Hun, 184; affd., 89 N. Y. 628).

I advise that the order should be reversed, with costs, and that the verdict should be reinstated.

Present — Jenks, P. J., Thomas, Stapleton, Rich and Blackmar, JJ.

Order reversed, with costs, and verdict unanimously reinstated.

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