Coleman v. Gulf, M. & O. R. Co.

• Decision Date: 21 April 1958
• Docket Number: No. 58-F-20,58-F-20
• Citation: 17 Ill.App.2d 220,149 N.E.2d 656
• Court: United States Appellate Court of Illinois
• Parties: Troy COLEMAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GULF, MOBILE & OHIO RAILROAD COMPANY, a corporation, Defendant-Appellant.

Page 656

149 N.E.2d 656

17 Ill.App.2d 220

Troy COLEMAN, Plaintiff-Appellee, v. GULF, MOBILE & OHIO RAILROAD COMPANY, a corporation Defendant-Appellant.

No. 58-F-20.

Appellate Court of Illinois, Fourth District.

April 21, 1958.

Oehmke, Dunahm & Boman, East St. Louis, for appellant.

Haley & Fredrickson and Meyer & Meyer, East St. Louis, for appellee.

SCHEINEMAN, Justice.

The plaintiff, Troy Coleman, was employed as a conductor by the defendant railroad company, and he received injuries in the course of his employment. He brought this suit under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, 45 U.S.C.A. § 51 et seq., and obtained a verdict for $90,000. Defendant's motions for directed verdict, and post-trial motion for judgment, or in the alternative for new trial, were overruled and judgment entered on the verdict. On this appeal defendant contends that the evidence does not show negligence on its part, that the plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence, that the verdict is against the manifest weight of the evidence, and that the trial court erred in rulings on evidence, and on defendant's motions.

The defendant is charged with negligence in two respects: that it failed to provide a reasonably safe place to work in, since plaintiff was required to cross a trestle on which there was no platform or catwalk; and that the train had been negligently made up, so that a large tank was on a flat car next to the caboose, the tank's end projecting beyond the end of the car, making it likely employees would collide with it while moving.

Plaintiff's evidence indicates that the freight train had been made up under the supervision of defendant's yardmaster, and then placed in charge of plaintiff. It was a way freight which would stop at points on its route for switching purposes, dropping and picking up cars. It was plaintiff's duty to supervise the switching operations, and then make out his written reports of disposition of cars. It was necessary for him to leave the caboose and move forward along the train at such stops.

On the flat car in front of the caboose there had been loaded a large steel tank weighing about 100,000 pounds. There was an empty flat car in front of this car, and the front end of the tank projected over the other car. The tank tapered at the end so that next to the caboose it was about 18 inches in diameter and projected a few inches over the end of the car.

On the night of the accident, the train had reached one of its switching points and had come to a stop. All of the train had crossed a certain trestle, except the caboose which was on the trestle. There had formerly been a catwalk at this trestle, which is normally built by substituting a longer than standard tie at intervals, and affixing planks on the projecting ends. This catwalk had been removed some years before, during alterations in the trackage.

The plaintiff was familiar with this situation. Sometimes, when the water was low and it was daylight, plaintiff had crossed by going down below the trestle. Otherwise it was necessary to climb over the cars on the trestle. On this occasion it was dark and, being in December, there was more water in the creek. With the caboose stopped on the trestle at night, plaintiff took his flashlight and went out the front of the caboose to cross onto the next car so he could go forward and alight on the ground. He had his light shining downward so as to see where to step. As he stepped across onto the flatcar, his head bumped the end of the tank, and he blacked out momentarily. When he recovered he was standing on the platform. He went forward and performed his duties, also completed his run. Thereafter he had headaches and pains, so he reported to the company hospital, and received treatment.

Plaintiff had known the tank was there, and had inspected its moorings en route, but states he had not realized the smaller tapered end projected so far to the rear.

As for his medical history, his pain grew steadily worse. He was in the hospital a number of times during the next six months, sometimes in traction, sometimes he wore a Thomas collar; and was examined and treated by various physicians. Finally, his trouble was diagnosed as a ruptured intervertebral disc, and an operation was advised. This was done during another month's stay in the hospital.

The medical testimony was that he is not capable of working, that his disability is permanent, and that he will continue to suffer pain. His earnings during the year up to the time of his injury in the middle of December had been $7,277 and he would have received a raise thereafter. At the time of the trial he was 43 years of age. An actuary testified concerning life expectancy and methods of computing the present value of the loss of future earnings.

Upon the factual situation above, the defendant contends there is no evidenciary basis for finding negligence on its part, and that the court erred in admitting improper evidence on the subject. This particularly refers to the company rules. One of the rules stated that certain types of loads should not be placed next to the caboose. The list included such items as lumber, pipe, and ...