Batavia Turnpike & Miami Bridge Co. v. Hodapp

It was error in the trial court to charge the jury that “if you find by a preponderance of the evidence that the plaintiff was without fault he would be entitled to recover.” This is not a proper statement of the law to the jury, as it eliminates from the ease the duty on the part of the plaintiff to prove that the negligence of the defendant caused the injury complained of, and we do not think the effect of this charge was removed by the -court.

Upon the question of the verdict being excessive, we are of the opinion that such is the case, and had the verdict been for a sum in the neighborhood of $250, under the evidence it would seem .more reasonable.

Judgment reversed.