Cavin v. O'Rourke Engineering & Construction Co.

This is an action at common law. The verdict is clearly against the weight of evidence and the instructions of the court,, which were consented to by plaintiff’s counsel. It affirmatively appears from the plaintiff’s own testimony, as well as from that of his fellow watchman, Hassett, who was subpoenaed by plaintiff, but called by the defendant, that the plaintiff knew of the dangerous condition of the fence, and when he reported it to the foreman the day before the accident the latter at once sent for three or four carpenters and had it fixed. It is testified to by plaintiff, and uncontradicted, that a few months before the accident by which he was injured plaintiff saw a. section of the fence to the north of him blown over by the heavy, winds,, and that he was left t'o watch the gap by Hassett while the latter went for carpenters to repair the damage. In view of that uncontradicted testimony defendant’s counsel reqúested the court to charge:

“I ask your honor to charge the jury that if the plaintiff, prior to the accident, saw the fence wabble, and knew it was likely to fall, he cannot recover,, and that he assumed that risk.

“Plaintiff’s Counsel: I consent to its being charged, your honor.”

And later:

“I ask your honor to charge that, after the men came up there and fixed the fence, and plaintiff saw it was liable to fall on the day of the accident, he-assumed that risk, and cannot recover.

“Plaintiff’s Counsel: I consent to its being charged."

Both of these requests were charged by the court on the consent of counsel. They are in accord with well-settled principles of law, and. the return of a verdict for plaintiff can only be taken as indicating; that the jury were so led by sympathy that they ignored the evidence and the instructions of the court.

Judgment reversed, and new trial ordered, with costs to appellant to abide the event.