City of Winchester v. Case

McCulloch, J. This was a suit brought by defendant in error to recover damages resulting from a fall received by him while passing along one of the sidewalks in Winchester, which is alleged to have been in an unsafe condition, through the negligence of the municipal authorities. There does not appear to be much dispute as to the unsafe condition of the sidewalk where defendant in error fell, it being a cellar-door laid in and forming a part of the sidewalk, the same being in a damaged condition. Mor is it seriously contended that the proper care and caution had been observed by the authorities in keeping the sidewalk at that place in a reasonably safe condition. The defense mainly relied upon was that defendant in error was guilty of such a degree of negligence contributing to the injury as would prevent his recovery of damages in this suit. Hpon this point the evidence was very contradictory and called for accurate instructions to the jury. The court gave but one instruction and that upon the part of the defendant in error, intended to lay down the rule of law governing questions of this character. It is as follows: “ The court also instructs the jury that under the laws of this State a party complaining of another, is not bound to show himself to be absolutely free from all fault or negligence, and in this case, even though the evidence shows that the plaintiff was guilty of a slight degree of negligence, yet, if from a consideration of all the facts and circumstances in evidence, the jury find that the negligence of the plaintiff was only slight as compared with that of the defendant, and that the defendant was guilty of a much greater degree of negligence than the plaintiff, which the jmy find was the primary cause of the injuries, then such negligence of the plaintiff would not prevent his recovery.” Defendant in error might be guilty of a slight degree of negligence as compared with that of plaintiff in error, and plaintiff might be guilty of a much greater degree of negligence than defendant in error without being liable for such negligence. This instruction does not meet the requirements of the rule of law upon this subject which prevails in this State. In Chi. & N. W. Railway Co. v. Coss, 73 Ill. 394, the rule is tersely stated in these words: “A party receiving injury must show either that he is himself free from and the defendant is guilty of negligence, or if the plaintiff is guilty of negligence, that it is slight and that of the defendant is gross or wanton, or the injury is willfully inflicted.” In a very recent case, C. B. & Q. R. R. Co. v. Harwood, 90 Ill. 425, it is said: “ The doctrine of comparative negligence recognized by this court is, that although the plaintiff may have been guilty of slight negligence, contributing to the injury complained of, this will not bar a recovery provided the negligence of the defendant resulting in the injury was gross in comparison with that of the plaintiff.” Slight negligence on the part of the person injured can therefore be excused only by the gross or wanton negligence or the willful acts of the person causing the injury. And in the last case cited it is further said: “The jury must be told, to authorize a recovery, it must appear from the evidence that the negligence of the plaintiff is slight and that of the defendant is gross in comparison with each other, and it will not be sufficient simply to say the plaintiff may recover though negligent, provided his negligence is slight in comparison with that of the defendant.” Both of the elements of the proposition, namely, the slight degree of negligence of the plaintiff, and the gross negligence or willful acts of the defendant must be embraced in the instructions to the jury upon this question. To the same effect is the case of East St. Louis Packing Co. v. Hightower, 6 Weekly Jurist, 408; and also the well considered case of The President, etc., v. Carter (2 Bradwell, 34), decided by the Appellate Court for the Second District. This instruction, as given, was therefore erroneous. Several other alleged errors have been urged upon our attention" with great earnestness, hut we do not deem it necessary to consider them, as this one error is in itself sufficient to reverse the case, and we feel persuaded that on another trial the other causes of error complained of will be avoided. The judgment of the Circuit Court is reversed, and a new trial awarded. ¡Reversed and remanded.