Georgia Pacific Railroad v. Propst , 85 Ala. 203 ( 1887 )

OLOPTON, J.

The action is brought by appellee, under the act of February 12, 1885, which constitutes section 2590 of Code, 1886, to recover for injuries received while in the service of appellant. The complaint contains three counts, each of which sets forth the fact and hind of employment, and the circumstances under which the injury was received. The difference between the several counts consists in the averments of the cause of the injury. It is averred in the first count, that the injury was caused by a defect in the couplings and appliances used for connecting the cars; in the second count, by a failure to have a sufficient number of brakemen and servants to operate and manage the train; and in the third count, by the negligence of the conductor, to whose orders plaintiff was bound to conform, and did conform, and that the injury resulted from his having so conformed. Under the rules of pleading prescribed by the Code, as construed by our decisions, the facts constituting the defects and negligence are averred with sufficient particularity, and are so presented that a material issue can be taken thereon. Each count sets forth a substantial and legal cause of action. The demurrer was rightly overruled.

The refúsal of the court to give the affirmative charge, requested by the defendant, presents a very different question; which is, whether, conceding the truth of any and all inferences that can be drawn from the evidence in favor of plaintiff, the proof prima facie establishes the case made by the complaint. In considering the question thus presented, it should be kept in mind, that the burden is on the plaintiff to prove a case within the provisions of the statute, defining the liability of employers. Under that statute, the party claiming damages must be an employee at the time of the injury, by contract, express or implied, binding on defendant; and the injury must be received while rendering the service required by the particular employment, or in obeying the orders of a superior, to which the employee is bound to conform. Injury received while doing other, more hazardous service not pertaining to the employment, by way of accommodation, or self-assumed, is not sufficient.

The complaint, in legal effect, sets forth as the cause of action, that the plaintiff, being in the regular employment of defendant as night-watchman, the duties of which required him to watch and guard the engines and trains, was ordered or directed to leave such employment, and act as brakeman on a coal or freight train, by the conductor who had control thereof, to whom superintendence was intrusted, and authority delegated to give instructions, and to whose orders he was bound to conform; and that he’ was injured in attempting, by order of the conductor, to couple cars at Berry’s Station, by reason of the negligence or defect above stated. On the former appeal (88 Ala. 518), it was held, that, in case of emergency, the conductor has implied authority to supply the place of disabled or missing servants, and to bind the defendant thereby; and that, on the facts alleged in the counts now remaining in the complaint, the plaintiff would be regarded as a lawfully employed brakeman, sufficient to fix a liability on the defendant. But the employment must come within the scope of his implied authority.

The complaint alleging that the plaintiff was injured while acting in the employment and capacity of brakeman, and there being no pretense that he was expressly employed in such capacity by any officer or agent of defendant other than the conductor, the question is, was he ordered by the conductor to act in the capacity of brakeman, under circumstances and in a mode which rendered his employment binding on the defendant? The plaintiff was thé only witness examined on his part, as to the employment and the circumstances of the injury. His evidence clearly shows, that he was employed as night-watchman, and placed at a station called Patton Mines; that by the permission of the superintendent, he was in the habit of going to Millport, where his father resided, about fifty miles distant, to get his meals; and that he voluntarily entered the train at Patton Mines, without any order or request of the conductor, to go to Millport. The plaintiff was on the train of his own accord, and going down the road for his individual purposes. It is true he testifies generally, that he was ordered by the conductor at Berry Station to brake for a sick brakeman; but this general statement is qualified, or explained, by his narrative of the occasion and circumstances, and by the words of the order, which clearly show its nature, extent and purpose. When the train reached Berry Station, which was about ten miles from Patton Mines, the conductor had three coal cars taken out, in order to get a box car loaded with cotton. He was standing on the box car, and addressed the plaintiff, as follows: — “Will, come here, and make this coupling for me;” and the plaintiff was injured in conforming to this order, or request. So far as the evidence set forth in the present record goes, this is the first and only order or request made by tbe conductor; and on tbis tbe plaintiff bases bis claim of employment as a brakeman.

When tbis case was before us on tbe former appeal, tbe complaint contained a fourth count, a demurrer to wbicb bad been overruled. Tbis count seems to bave been stricken out, or omitted, after tbe remandment of tbe cause; but it alleged tbe facts substantially as. now shown by tbe evidence. We then held, that tbe count did not set forth a legal cause of action, and that the demurrer should bave been sustained. Referring to tbe order of ■ tbe conductor at Berry Station to make a coupling, it is said: “Such order or direction, as averred, is entirely without tbe routine of tbe conductor’s duties, and could not, by its abuse, fasten a liability on tbe railroad corporation.” If a demurrer to a complaint should be sustained, on tbe ground that it fails to set forth a legal cause of action, a demurrer to evidence, wbicb only proves substantially tbe same cause of action, should also be sustained. More is essential than mere order or request to couple cars at one time and place, or doing a single act, to constitute an employment within tbe scope of tbe implied authority of tbe conductor. It must be to render service to some extent continuous in its nature. On tbe case made by tbe complaint, it is incumbent on tbe plaintiff to show, that be left bis regular employment at Patton Mines, to act as brakeman on a trip down tbe road, by order or request of tbe conductor, or, while on tbe train, was employed by him to render service as brakeman on tbe trip, in place of a sick or missing brakeman. Tbis tbe evidence disproves. On tbe testimony of tbe plaintiff himself, be has failed to show, prima facie,_ a lawful and binding employment wbicb brought him under tbe control of tbe conductor, or subjected him to bis orders. If be bad previously acted as brakeman, it was of bis own volition. He occupied at Berry Station merely tbe position of a passenger, or by-stander, who attempted to make tbe coupling at tbe request of tbe conductor, as matter of accommodation. Tbe evidence, as now shown by tbe bill of exceptions, wbicb differs in material respects from tbe testimony on tbe first trial, does not entitle tbe plaintiff to recover, on either count of tbe complaint.

Reversed and remanded.