Merriman v. Phillipsburg Borough
Merriman v. Phillipsburg Borough
Opinion of the Court
Opinion by
In this case, the controlling questions were defendant’s negligence and the alleged contributory negligence of the plaintiff. As to the former there appears to have been no room for doubt. The testimony discloses the grossest carelessness on the part of the borough authorities in maintaining a dangerous pitfall, within the lines of the street, which the judicious expenditure of a few dollars could have obviated: Corbalis v. Newberry Township, 132 Pa. 9. If those whose duty it is to keep public highwajrs in a reasonably safe condition for public use were properly dealt with and adequately punished for their negligence, there would be fewer nuisances and man-traps maintained in public streets and highways.
There was some evidence of contributory negligence, but the question is whether the fact was so clearly established as to
So, in this case, we think the question of contributory negligence was not for the court, but exclusively for the jury. It was their special province to ascertain the facts and-draw from the testimony such inferences of fact as to them it appeared to warrant. On this point, all the facts and circumstances attending the injury should be fully considered.
Judgment reversed and a procedendo awarded.
Reference
- Cited By
- 7 cases
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Negligence — Contributory negligence — Questionfor jury. In an action to recover damages for personal injuries, whether plaintiff was or was not guilty of negligence which contributed to the injury must be inferred from all the facts and circumstances disclosed by the testimony ; and such inferences of fact are for the jury, and not for the court. In an action for personal injuries against a borough it appeared that plaintiff was injured by falling from a bridge which was not protected by a guard rail. The accident occurred on a darlt night. Plaintiff and her sister, provided with an oil lamp, -were crossing the bridge, when plaintiff stepped over the side of the bridge and was injured. Plaintiff was familiar with the bridge, and had crossed it several times in the daytime. Held, that the question of plaintiff’s contributory negligence was for the jury.