Hawkins v. Rowland Lumber Co. ( 1930 )

This is an action for actionable negligence brought by plaintiff, for the death of her intestate, against defendant.

The issues submitted to the jury and their answers thereto were as follows:

"1. Was Walter Lindsay an independent contractor of the Rowland Lumber Company, and was plaintiff's intestate in the employ of said independent contractor at the time of his injury and death? Answer: No.

2. Was the plaintiff's intestate killed by the negligence of the Rowland Lumber Company, as alleged in the complaint? Answer: Yes.

3. Did the plaintiff's intestate by his own negligence contribute to his injury and death, as alleged in the answer? Answer: No.

4. What damage, if any, is the plaintiff entitled to recover of the defendant? Answer: $1,000."

The court below rendered judgment on the verdict. The defendant made numerous exceptions and assignments of error and appealed to the Supreme Court. The defendant at the close of plaintiff's evidence and at the close of all the evidence made motions for judgment as in case of nonsuit, under C. S., 567. The court below overruled the motions, and in this we see no error. Defendant also requested certain prayers for instruction; the court below refused these, and in this we think the court correct.

The charge of the court below is not in the record. The presumption is that the court below charged the law applicable to the facts.

As to negligence in not giving signals, see Farr v. Power Co., ante, p. 247.

The defendant was a logging road and the fellow-servant doctrine has no application — contributory negligence no bar, but mitigates damages. See C. S., 160, 3465, 3467, 3470; Stewart v. Blackwood Lumber Co.,193 N.C. 138; Brooks v. Suncrest Lumber Co., 194 N.C. 141. we think the case in many respects similar to Lilley v. Cooperage Co.,194 N.C. 250. We find

No error.