Fernandez v. Valdes
Fernandez v. Valdes
Opinion of the Court
Tbe facts sufficiently appear from tbe instructions.
Rodey, Judge, omitting tbe formal parts, gave tbe following charge and instructions to tbe jury:
Tbis is a peculiar case, and one requiring your serious consideration. It seems that tbe franchise for tbe construction of tbis railroad or tramway from Cataño to Bayamon was obtained from tbe Spanish authorities here in Porto Rico by Mr. Vaides, many years ago. The instrument granting tbe concession is in evidence and is before you for your consideration. Tbe evidence shows that this railroad or tramway is laid right along tbe main traveled road, or, at least, is so at tbe place where tbe accident occurred; and that, at tbis particular place, there is a swamp on each side of tbe combined railroad and wagon road, thus rendering it a very dangerous causeway, because of its extreme narrowness, made so by tbe necessary passing of teams and trains side by side without even the existence of a fence between them. Tbe concession, it seems, provides certain speeds for tbe cars on this tramway or railroad, and certain brake power to enable tbe cars or trains to be stopped within specified distances when running at a certain specified speed; but, independent of all that, you are instructed that, as matter of law, when a railroad or tramway is laid along a main traveled road, as tbe evidence shows tbis to be, it imposes upon everybody using that road, including the railroad people, greater care than would be necessary were tbe tramway or railroad out in tbe open country, away from any road traveled over by the people. It seems, and you are instructed, that both the people and tbis tramway have exactly equal rights on this roadway,
You are further instructed that, in such a case as this, it was the duty of the operators of this train to have kept such a lookout as would enable them to see this young lady and her horse and cart in time to have stopped their train without doing her injury, provided there was anything in the actions of the horse at the time that the engineers first saw it, that would induce them to know, as reasonable men, that it was liable to run onto the track in front of the train; but, on the other hand, if you believe from the evidence that this particular locomotive was not running at undue speed, and that there was nothing in the actions of the horse to indicate that it was liable to shy or run onto the track, in front of the train, or that, when the horse began so to act as to convey such information to the persons running the train, it was so close to the horse as to render it impossible for the train to he stopped even if it had the best of brakes, then you are instructed that there is no liability and the plaintiff cannot recover, because it is in evidence that plaintiff knew that this was a dangerous piece of road, having traveled over it many times, and knew the risk she took when she drove her horse along there, and you should find for the defendant.
You are further instructed that, if you find for the plaintiff, you can only find such damage as you, as reasonable men, believe, on the evidence, she has sustained for the market value of the horse, not its sentimental value to her, and the market value of the cart, and such damages as you may believe she is entitled to for being wounded, and the fright and shock and the consequent suffering, illness, doctor’s bills, or other expenses, according to the evidence; but you cannot find any damages in her favor for future suffering unless you believe from the evidence that she is still suffering from the injuries received. In which event, you may, within the limits of the complaint, give her such damages in that regard as you think proper; and you are instructed that shock to the nervous system is an injury for which you may give damages just as well as though it was a physical injury, plainly apparent on the surface of the body, in such sum as the evidence may show you to be reasonable.
•If you believe, from a preponderance of the evidence, that the train in question was -not exceeding an ordinary rate of speed immediately previous to the accident, such as you believe would be a proper speed under all the circumstances, and that the locomotive was a sufficient distance away at the time the horse began to show signs of being frightened and exhibited an' inclination to go to one side or the other of the road, then you are further instructed that it was the duty of the railroad people to be on the lookout to see such evidences of fright in the
The franchise in question is a law, even though it may be. subject to modification as between the parties to it; and in this regard you are instructed that, if the speed of this train amounted to a nuisance, by reason of being dangerous to the public, because of the surrounding conditions, then the neglect of the government to enforce its .right to reduce the speed is no' justification for running at an unreasonable or dangerous speed.. The statute of limitations never runs in favor of the right ta do a wrong or to maintain a nuisance.
.Verdict for plaintiff for $1,250.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- GLORIA FERNANDEZ v. RAMON VALDES
- Status
- Published