McDonald v. Randolph & Cumberland Railway , 165 N.C. 622 ( 1914 )

There was evidence tending to show that, at Hallison Station, (623) Moore County, the two defendant roads crossed each other at grade, and that, on 29 July, 1912, in the daytime, the plaintiff, an employee as section foreman of the defendant the Randolph and Cumberland Railway, while on a flat car in front of the engine of a train of that company, going back to Hallison, was seriously injured in a collision on the crossing, between trains of the two defendants; that both trains reached the crossing at practically the same time, and both were badly damaged; that neither train stopped for the crossing, and that the engineer of either train could have seen that a collision was likely unless one or the other of the trains should stop.

Liability was denied by both companies on several grounds, and, on issues submitted, the following verdict was rendered:

1. Was the plaintiff injured by the negligence of the defendant the Randolph and Cumberland Railway Company, as alleged in the complaint? Answer: Yes.

2. Did the plaintiff, by his own negligence, contribute to his own injury, as alleged in the defendant's answer? Answer: No.

3. Was the plaintiff injured by the negligence of the defendant the Raleigh, Charlotte and Southern Railway Company, as alleged in the complaint? Answer: Yes.

4. Did the plaintiff, by his own negligence, contribute to his own injury, as alleged in defendant's answer? Answer: No.

5. What damage, if any, is the plaintiff entitled to recover? Answer: $2,000.

Judgment on the verdict for plaintiff, and defendants excepted and appealed. There was ample evidence to sustain the verdict of culpable negligence, as to both defendant companies, and, on the record and so far as plaintiff is concerned, there is very little to be said in mitigation of liability on the part of either. All the evidence tends to show that a collision occurred at a grade crossing in the daytime; that neither train came to any stop at the crossing, but entered therein at the rate of 15 miles an hour, an act of itself amounting to (624) negligence by the weight of well-considered authority (2 Thompson on Negligence, sec. 1403; 6 Cyc., p. 624; Elliott on Railroads, sec 1132); and it further appeared that, under conditions shown to exist, the engineer of either road, if properly attentive, could have seen that the other train was approaching the crossing in time to have avoided a collision, and there is direct evidence that at least one of them knew the fact.

It is urged on the part of both defendants that the recovery should not be allowed to stand, for the reason that the plaintiff had exclusive charge and control of the trains of the Randolph and Cumberland Railway, and was himself in part responsible for the collision. There was testimony to the effect that plaintiff, a section foreman, while on the construction work, had the right to control the movements of the engine, and, when so engaged, it obeyed his orders. Plaintiff, however, testified that, on this occasion and while running the train back to the station, he had no control; on the contrary, it was in charge of the engineer at the time, plaintiff, himself, being on the flat car in front, and that when he noted the approach of the other train and saw that a collision was likely, he did all he could to warn the engineer, and was unable to attract his attention. Under a comprehensive and impartial charge, the jury have accepted plaintiff's version of the matter, and the position, therefore, is not open to defendants.

Again, it was contended for both defendants that, as plaintiff was injured on a railroad in process of construction, and not one "operating in the State," the fellow-servant act, making the company responsible for injuries caused by the negligence of a coemployee, did not apply to the case, and that the injury having been caused by the negligence of plaintiff's own engineer, a fellow-servant, neither company is responsible. If this position or the conclusion from the facts suggested be conceded, it would not avail defendants. The testimony tended to show that the Randolph and Cumberland Railway had laid its track some 2 miles beyond Hallison, was running its construction train over it every (625) day, and had carried some freight beyond the station to oblige some of its customers, shipping over the road, but made no charge for the additional haul, and, on these facts, there is high authority for the position that the railway, in such case, should be considered as an operating road, within the meaning of the fellow-servant act (Callahan v.St. Louis, etc., Terminal Co., 170 Mo., 473; San Juana Perey v. SanAntonio, etc., R. R., 28 Texas Civ. App. 255[28 Tex. Civ. App. 255] [28 Tex. Civ. App. 255] [28 Tex. Civ. App. 255];McKnight v. The Iowa, etc., Construction Co., 43 Iowa 406); and there is nothing to the contrary in the decisions of our own Court to which we were referred by counsel, Twiddy v. R. R., 154 N.C. 237;Oneal v. R. R., 152 N.C. 404; Nichols v. R. R.,138 N.C. 516, an examination of these cases showing that plaintiffs therein were not a part of any train crew; were not in any way connected with the movements of any train, and were not, at the time, on any train being operated by others.

The position, however, is not presented in the record, as a perusal of the facts in evidence tends to show that, while the Randolph and Cumberland Railroad had not made any charge for hauling freight any disstance [distance] beyond the crossing, it had laid a track 30 feet beyond, which it was accustomed to use in the operation of its regular trains in loading and unloading freight at Hallison Station, and his Honor held and so charged the jury, "that the railroad beyond this 30 feet was not one operating within the meaning of the law, and that defendants were not responsible for the injury unless it occurred while operating its train over a portion of the track laid and continually used in the regular operation of its traffic and passenger trains," in which case the fellow-servant act would certainly apply. Hemphill v. Lumber Co.,141 N.C. 487; Sigman v. R. R., 135 N.C. 184; Mott v. R. R.,131 N.C. 237.

On the facts in evidence, therefore, if there was error in this ruling, it was not one that could give defendants or either of them any just ground of complaint.

It was further insisted for defendant the Raleigh, Charlotte and Southern, that it should not be held responsible by reason of a contract between the company and its codefendant by which the latter stipulated, in effect, that for and in consideration of being allowed (626) to cross the Durham and Charlotte road, now owned and operated by the Raleigh, Charlotte and Southern, it would keep said crossing free and clear of all obstacles which would stop or delay the trains of the other company and would guard against accidents by having a flagman or proper employee who will flag in daytime and lantern at night, and sufficiently protect and guard against accidents, etc. This contract is relevant, and may become important on a question of primary liability between the two companies, but it cannot be allowed to affect the right of plaintiff to recover for injuries caused by culpable negligence on the part of both.

For such an injury, and as to plaintiff, both companies are liable.Gregg v. Wilmington, 155 N.C. pp. 22-23; B. and O. R. R. v. Friel, 77 Fed., 126; Toledo R. R. v. Hydell, 25 Ohio Cir. Ct., 575.

There is no error and the judgment must be affirmed.

No error.

Cited: Goodman v. Power Co., 174 N.C. 664 (2f).