Camp v. Atlanta & Charlotte A. L. Ry. Co.
Camp v. Atlanta & Charlotte A. L. Ry. Co.
Opinion of the Court
The opinion of the Court was delivered by
This action was brought by the plaintiff to recover damages for personal injury caused by a heavy piece of timber falling on his foot and crushing it. It seems that the plaintiff was “scratch foreman” on a trestle force engaged in repairing trestles. That before his force left Greenville, it was directed by the officer in charge of the force to load timbers in a car known as a gondola car. That the gondola car was a car with very high sides and it was necessary to raise the timbers up over the sides and then for those on the inside of the car to pull them into place and in lowering the timber to the bottom of the gondola, a piece or timber fell on the plaintiff’s foot and crushed it.
At the close of all the evidence, the defendant moved for a nonsuit and also for the direction of a verdict. The trial Judge directed a verdict. The plaintiff asked to be allowed to amend his complaint and this was refused.
There are six exceptions, but they raise three questions:
That exception that raises this question must be sustainéd. The case of Gosa v. Ry. Co., 67 S. C. 34 and 359, 45 S. E. 810, is full authority for the admission of the testimony.
There were several specifications of negligence, but if there was any evidence to sustain one of them, the case should have been sent to the jury. The respondent’s argument states: “The Circuit Judge directed a verdict in this case for the defendant on the ground that the plaintiff was *297 outside of the scope of his employment when injured, and there was no negligence.”
The complaint alleged, plaintiff was instructed by defendant, its agents and servants, having authority to give such orders, to assist in loading the car. There was evidence to sustain the allegation. It is true that plaintiff alleged “that it was outside of the regular duties of this plaintiff,” but there was evidence that the officer who gave the order was authorized to require any work outside of regular duties. There was evidence that while the gondola car was safer than a flat car in transportation of lumber, it was dangerous in loading. The injury was alleged to have been done in the loading. There was, therefore, some evidence of negligence and the case should have been sent to the jury.
*298 The exception that raises this question can not be sustained.
The judgment is reversed and a new trial ordered.
Footnote.—As to admissibility of expressions or statements of present pain'made during sickness or subsequent to injury, see note in 24 L. R. A. (N. S.) 253.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.