Brown v. Towanda Borough

Opinion by Oblady, J., From the testimony in this case it appears that in the borough of Towanda, where Court and Main streets intersect, the former is somewhat lower than the latter, and, for the convenience and safety of persons walking along Main street, a plank was placed over the curb, gutter or sluice in Court street, to be used as a step between the levels of the two streets. This plank was supported by two iron bars which extended across the gutter and rested on its sides so that the water could pass under them. At the time of the accident to the plaintiff a plank nine feet long, ten inches wide and one and one half inches thick rested on the iron rods, so that one end of the plank extended about [381] three feet beyond the iron bar next to the building line of Main street. . This plank was described as “ a new piece of lumber— a new board,” and was not fastened to the iron bars supporting it. The plaintiff, her daughter and son-in-law,, were walking abreast up Main Street, the plaintiff being on the outside and the son-in-law next to the' buildings. When in the act of going over the plank step, the man stepped upon it.first at the. end where it extended beyond the iron bar; his weight caused it to tilt so that his end went down to the ground and the other end was suddenly and forcibly thrown upwards and struck the plaintiff on the right knee and leg producing the juries for which this suit was brought. When the parties withdrew from the plank it settled back to its former place. Several witnesses testified that there was nothing unusual in its appearance, and that it looked to be perfectly safe for use. A- plank step had been in service at this place for many years ; it was located on the principal street of the borough and was used daily by a large number of persons. Its position was in the street outside the pavement line; it covered a gutter or sluice in the roadway at a point where the borough authorities had - exclusive control, and where they were primarily liable for negligent maintenance. From its location, construction, and apparent use it evidently had been placed in accordance with a plan, or under direction of the borough authorities, and until this accident it had been a sufficient arrangement for relieving the obstruction of a high step and open gutter in the highway. It is not contended that the step was an inadequate or that it was a defective construction. The complaint is, that being a new plank or board, not fastened to the iron bars, and so placed as to be dangerous to persons stepping on it, the borough was guilty of negligence; A member of the town council testified that the proper way to make the plank secure was to bolt it fast to the iron straps or bars and that this was the way it had always, been done. The only evidence tending to show control over the place and the plank by the borough authorities is .that covered by the ninth assignment of error. The offer was to to show that on the day of the accident a stone step was substituted for the plank and was subsequently maintained on the iron rods. The evidence was received and limited to the condition of [382] the step on the day of the accident prior and subsequent thereto. To which ruling of the court, no exception was taken. Notwithstanding the large number of cases considered and overruled by Judge Fell in Baran v. Reading Iron Co., 202 Pa. 274, there is yet a class of cases where it is entirely proper to receive evidence of acts of repair or construction in order to prove dominion and control over the location. In Shearman and Redfield on Negligence, sections 59 and 60, the rule applicable to the case is thus stated: “ The accident, the injury and the circumstances under which they occurred are in some cases sufficient to raise a presumption of negligence, and thus cast on the defendant the burden of establishing his freedom from fault. When the thing which causes the injury is shown to be under the management of the defendants and the accident i¡? such as in the ordinary course of things does not happen if those who have the management use proper care, it affords reasonable evidence, in the absence of explanation by the defendants, that the accident arose from a want of care : ” Shafer v. Lacock, Hawthorn & Co., 168 Pa. 497, and cases cited. The accurate statement of the law is not that negligence is presumed, but that the circumstances amount to evidence from which it may be inferred by the jury: Oil Co. v. Penna. Torpedo Co., 190 Pa. 350; Spees v. Boggs, 198 Pa. 112; Matthews v. Pittsburg, etc., Railroad Co., 18 Pa. Superior Ct. 10; Lewin v. Pauli, 19 Pa. Superior Ct. 447; Stephenson v. Penna. R. R. Co., 20 Pa. Superior Ct. 157. The new and unfastened plank being outside the pavement proper but within the roadway, and loosely laid on permanent bars for its support, evidence of the substitution of the stone step for the loose plank was admissible, not for the purpose of showing negligence of the borough but for the purpose of showing control over the place. The primary duty of beeping the street in a safe condition is on the municipality, as was held in Brookville Boro. v. Arthurs, 130 Pa. 501; and if that plain duty is neglected, and thereby injury results to any one, the municipality is primarily liable to the injured party : Brookville Boro. v. Arthurs, 152 Pa. 334; Aiken v. Phila., 9 Pa. Superior Ct. 502. The assignments of error are overruled and the judgment is affirmed. Morrison, J., dissents.