Nye v. Patterson
Nye v. Patterson
Opinion of the Court
Action by Ralph E. Nye, a minor, by his guardian ad litem, against W. E. Patterson to recover damages for personal injuries. The jury returned a verdict for $1,500 in plaintiff’s favor, upon which judgment was entered. The defendant has appealed.
Eor two days prior to the accident, respondent, who was then a little more than nineteen years of age, had been employed as an offbearer in appellant’s sawmill. A system of live rolls conveyed slabs to a cut-off saw tp be cut into short pieces. It was respondent’s duty to receive these pieces from the cut-off saw, and cast them into a bin on the opposite side of the rollway. While doing this work, respondent, following the usual custom of the mill, stood with one foot inside, and the other outside the rollway. Between the saw and the place where his foot was inside the rollway, there were originally two wooden braces, which would protect the off-bearer from coming in contact with the saw. The lower brace had been removed sometime prior to the accident, leaving an opening six inches high and about twenty inches in width. Respondent contends that he was ignorant of the existence of this opening; that it was concealed by splinters, sawdust, and other refuse; and that, while he was working, his foot slipped through, came in contact with the saw, and was injured. He alleged that appellant was negligent in failing to furnish him a safe place to work, and in failing to instruct him as to dangers incident to his employment. Appellant pleaded the defenses of an assumption of risk and contributory negligence.
The principal question on this appeal is whether the trial court erred in denying appellant’s motions for a directed ver
Appellant contends that the damages awarded are excessive. This contention must be sustained. Respondent lost the great toe of his right foot. His evidence shows that he incurred a liability of $150 for medical treatment and nursing; that he was disabled for five weeks; and that he suffered much pain. We conclude from all the evidence that a judgment for $1,000 would afford ample compensation. If in twenty days after remittitur, respondent shall file with the clerk of the superior court his written consent to remit all of the judgment in excess of $1,000, with interest thereon from the date of trial, the judgment thus reduced will be
Morris, Ellis, Main, and Fullerton, JJ., concur.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Ralph E. Nye v. W. E. Patterson
- Status
- Published
- Syllabus
- Master and Servant — Injury to Servant — Assumption of Risks —Contributory Negligence — Question for Jury. Whether an off-bearer in a sawmill, whose foot slipped through an opening existing at the bottom of the rollway, allowing it to come in contact with the saw while he was performing his duties in the usual and customary way, assumed the risks or was guilty of contributory negligence, are questions for the jury, where he testified that he did not know of the existence of the opening, that it was concealed by refuse, and that there was nothing to call his attention to it. Damages — Personal Injuries — Excessive Verdict. A verdict for $1,500 for the loss of a great toe of the right foot, is excessive and should be reduced to $1,000, where it appears that the plaintiff, nineteen years of age, employed as offbearer in a mill, was disabled for five weeks and incurred a liability of $150 for treatment.