Martinez v. American Railroad
Martinez v. American Railroad
Opinion of the Court
delivered tbe following opinion:
Tbe complaint in this case is founded upon tbe negligence of tbe defendant in tbe management of 'tbe train upon wbieb plaintiff was traveling. Tbe evidence showed that tbe plaintiff at the time of tbe injury was riding upon tbe platform. The jury found a verdict for tbe defendant, and the plaintiff now seeks a new trial. ,
1. Amongst other grounds be sets out that tbe jury brought in a verdict in something like five minutes, and contends that •this shows extraordinary baste, evidencing prejudice. Tbe ar
2. It is contended that’ error was committed by tbe court in refusing to permit evidence tbat tbe car was crowded, both upon tbe plaintiff’s main case and upon rebuttal of the defendant’s evidence tbat tbe plaintiff was riding on tbe platform. In other words, it is contended under tbe pleadings of this case tbat tbe ■plaintiff should have been permitted to prove that tbe car was crowded, with tbe view of thereby showing why be went out upon tbe platform.
Tbe principle upon which tbe court acted in tbe exclusion was tbat tbe suit was for “negligence in the management of tbe train.” The fact, if proved, tbat tbe car was crowded, was no proof of negligence in tbe management of tbe train. Tbe argument is tbat tbe averment of negligence in tbe management of tbe train is a broad averment, and should admit evidence of anything tbat happened from the time tbe train left its place of departure to tbe place of the accident, tbe defendant, if be thought tbe allegation too broad, having tbe right to make a motion to have tbe complaint made more specific.
It is undoubtedly true tbat, upon a general allegation of negligence, the plaintiff is not to be confined in bis evidence to any
3. It is said, however, that the plaintiff should have been permitted to make this proof in rebuttal. In the Federal practice contributory negligence has been held to be an affirmative defense (O’Hara v. Central R. Co. 106 C. C. A. 177, 183 Fed. 739), and accordingly when the defendant proved the plaintiff was riding upon the platform it is argued that it should have been permitted to the plaintiff to explain why he was riding-upon the platform, by showing that it was so crowded in the car that he could not remain there. This is not within the principle that reasonable inferences are to be in-favor of the injured party in cases of contributory negligence. Wabash, St. L. & P. R. Co. v. Central Trust Co. 23 Fed. 738, 740, 741. That may be applicable to fill out details where the defense is already sub
4. It is contended that the court committed error in giving general instruction that standing upon the platform is contributory negligence. The charges in question were given at the request of the defendant, and would seem to be proper in view of the evidence which was before the jury; that is to say, when there was no evidence of any good reason why the plaintiff was upon the platform. This situation again goes back to the fact
5. The court, however, is not satisfied as to whether the plaintiff should or should not have been allowed to testify to the crowded state of the ear, when in point of fact he denied that he did go upon the platform, and at most testified that he was standing in the doorway. The law upon the subject was certainly not presented to the court with any fulness at the time. The verdict under all these circumstances is hardly one of which the plaintiff can complain; but the court is not sure that the case has been properly presented. It will therefore give the plaintiff an opportunity to amend his pleadings if he sees proper, or otherwise have the advantage of a new trial of the facts, provided within two weeks he pays the costs of the first trial. A new trial is granted provided this is done; otherwise the verdict' will stand and judgment will be entered.
It is so ordered.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- MANUEL MARTINEZ v. AMERICAN RAILROAD OF PORTO RICO
- Status
- Published