Douglass v. Seattle Electric Co.
Douglass v. Seattle Electric Co.
Opinion of the Court
Plaintiff was the owner of a valuable team of horses, which he used in heavy hauling. On December 2,
Appellant insists that the death of the horse did not result from the injuries inflicted; that the true and proximate cause of death was a disease known as azotemia, which was caused by respondent’s neglect in overfeeding the horse, and failing to give it proper exercise. Immediately after the accident, a veterinarian in appellant’s employ prescribed for the horse, and gave directions to respondent for its feeding, exercise and care. Respondent contended these directions were carefully followed; and that the disease causing death resulted from the original injury. The evidence, although conflicting, sustains the findings of the trial judge, which will not be disturbed.
Appellant further contends that the trial court erred .in allowing damages for medicine, attention, and hospital expense, in addition to $350 allowed as the value of the horse. It argues that had the horse been killed outright, no liability could have resulted further than actual value, and that where an animal is injured and subsequently dies, the party
“If a horse is injured through the fault of another, and the owner reasonably expends money in the expectation of curing him but notwithstanding his endeavors the horse has to be killed, the owner may recover for the money thus expended in addition to the value of the horse.”
In Watson v. Proprietors of Lisbon Bridge, 14 Me. 201, 31 Am. Dec. 49, plaintiff’s horse, injured by defendant’s negligence, died after plaintiff had incurred expense for treatment. On the measure of damages the court said:
“The liability of the defendants being established, the only remaining question is, as to the measure of damages. The plaintiff is entitled to a fair indemnity for his loss. He has lost the value of his horse, and also what he has expended in endeavox’ing to cure him. The jury having allowed this part of his claim, it must be understood, that it was an expense prudently incurred, in the reasonable expectation, that it would prove beneficial. It was incurred, not to aggravate, but to lessen, the amount for which the defendants might be held liable. Had it proved successful, they would have had the benefit of it. As it turned out otherwise, it is but just, in our judgment, that they should sustain the loss.”
The judgment is affirmed.
Mount, Parker, and Chaxxwick, JJ., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- R. S. Douglass v. Seattle Electric Company
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Damages — Measure of Damages — Injuries to Animals. The measure of damages for injury to a horse, ultimately resulting in its death, where plaintiff incurred expense in an effort to save its life, is the value of the horse and the expense prudently incurred.