Woodward v. Daly-West Mining Co.
Woodward v. Daly-West Mining Co.
Opinion of the Court
The plaintiff obtained judgment for damages for personal injuries against the defendant.. Defendant appeals.
The plaintiff, in his complaint, after alleging that he was injured through the negligence of the defendant, and after stating the particulars respecting the injuries and how the accident occurred, described his injuries thus:
“That by reason of the premises, the plaintiff received, as he is informed and believes, permanent injuries. That he was rendered temporarily unconscious and was confined to a hospital for a period of about two weeks, during which time, he suffered great pain, and that he still continues to so suffer. That he received injuries to his back and spine as a result of which lie is disabled and incapacitated for the performance of manual labor, or otherwise engaging in any occupation which requires bodily extertion; all of which injuries the plaintiff is informed and believes to be permanent.”
The evidence relating to plaintiff’s injuries is substantially as follows: Dr. Le Compte, called on behalf of defendant, said:
“I examined "William W. Woodward, shortly after the accident, and found him suffering great pain, a serious bruise on his back, evidence of one, two, or three ribs being fractured, .though no examination was made by X-ray. From his condition, as I remember it, I could not determine whether or not the injury was permanent. Owing to the applicant’s condition, and swelling, I could not then determine whether there was curvature of the spine produced by the injury. If any curvature of the spine was produced by said injury, I would consider it very unusual if he could thereafter pitch hay, or handle a scraper, or do heavy manual labor.”
Dr. Dannenberg, called on behalf of plaintiff, testified that some time after the plaintiff had been injured the witness examined him. As to that examination the doctor said:
The blood, the doctor said, was “from the kidney.” The spine, the doctor testified, “had deviated from the natural curvature. It had deviated, considerably, showing considerable — I don’t know as you could say depression in the spinal column; it was an abnormal curvature from the natural state.” The curvature, the doctor said, seemed to have been caused by a “blow of some kind.” The doctor also stated that some of the “ligaments and muscles” in plaintiff’s back were “probably torn,” and that that condition would “leave more or less permanent injury” to plaintiff’s back. The plaintiff, in the course of his testimony, after describing his injuries and the pain suffered by him, also incidentally referred to his fractured ribs. On cross-examination defendant’s counsel asked him the following questions, whieh he answered as indicated:
“Q. By the why, why didn’t you say in your complaint in this case anything about three ribs being broken? Didn’t you consider that of sufficient importance to mention in the complaint? A. Well, I have had an idea the ribs would get well. Q. That would not affect the proposition that you had three ribs broken. Why didn’t you say something about that? A. I didn’t think the ribs amounted to anything, to say anything about; I did not think it amounted to enough. Q. You don’t claim anything about them? A. No, sir. Q. You don’t want any damage for that? A. No, sir.”
We remark that all of the foregoing evidence was admitted without objection, and, as we have seen, that part testified to by Dr. Le Compte was produced by the defendant. Upon the question of damages the court instructed the jury as follows:
“If, in view of the evidence and under the instructions of the court, your verdict is in favor of the plaintiff, you will assess his damages, and in doing so you should take into consideration the nature and extent of his injuries, and whether the same are permanent or not, and the physical
Counsel for defendant excepted to the foregoing instruction “for the reason that the court fails to exclude any damages that may have been suffered by reason of broken or fractured ribs.” Counsel further excepted “to that portion of the instruction wherein the jury are told that they may consider the nature and extent of his injuries and the effect thereof and give damages therefor without excluding such damages by reason of broken or fractured ribs. ’ ’
Upon the foregoing record, defendant’s counsel state the ■question presented for review in the following words:
“The sole question to be decided on this appeal is whether or not instruction No. 18, as given to the jury by the trial court, is a correct statement under the pleadings and record in this cause of the rule of damages applicable and of the elements of damage which the jury should properly consider in assessing the amount due respondent upon a finding in his favor. In view of this situation, we will merely call attention to such evidence as appears to have a bearing on this matter.”
The judgment is therefore affirmed, with costs to plaintiff.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- WOODWARD v. DALY-WEST MINING CO.
- Status
- Published