Whalen v. Centenary Church of the City of St. Louis

Napton, Judge, delivered the opinion of the court. This was a suit for damages brought by a stone mason to recover daijiages from the defendant, by reason of negligence of the defendant. The plaintiff was originally employed by the contractors for the stone work of the building, but upon the completion of [328] this job, and his consequent discharge, the superintendent placed in charge of all the work, employed the plaintiff to cut off some stone projections in the upper part of the building for the purpose of putting up gutters. To perform this work a swinging scaffold was necessary, and Mr. Legg, the superintendent, built or had the scaffold built. The scaffold proved to be defective, or perhaps, not securely fastened to the poles, and the plaintiff, whilst at work, was precipitated to the ground and considerably injured. The principal defense in this ease is based upon the well settled doctrine which regulates the relation of master aiid servant, which was discussed by C. J. Shaw, in Farwell vs. B. R. R. Co. (I Metcf., 49), and since pretty generally adopted. The doctrine, is that one servant cannot recover from his master damages for an injury occasioned by the negligence of his fellow servants. The policy of this rule is mainly based on the nature of the contract between servant and . master, and the legal presumption that the compensation of the servant has been adjusted by risks of this sort. The servant, as C. J. Shaw observed, “ does not stand towards the master in the relation of a stranger, but is one whose rights are regulated by contract.” But it is conceded, that if the master employs incompetent servants, or defective machinery, the risks arising from either of these are not implied by the contract. To provide a safe place where the servant cap work, would seem to be one of the most obvious duties of the employer. A master is bound to exercise proper care in the materials and machinery given to a servant to work upon, or with, and if this duty is neglected, he is liable for injuries. (Whart. on Agen., Ch. 1, §20.) If the superintendent, Legg, was not a fellow servant of the plaintiff, and was guilty of negligence in the construction of this 'scaffold, and the plaintiff was guilty of none, there can be no question of the right of recovery. It is insisted, and authorities are quoted to establish th.eposition, that Legg was a fellow servant of the plaintiff. To [329] examine and review tbe cases in this country and in England in regard to what constitutes fellow service, would occupy more time and space than is allowed or expected in judicial decisions. We refer to the text books to show a great diversity of opinion. We think Mr. Legg was the agent, not the servant, for the corporation. He was the vice principal, and whatever he did was their act. The instruction given by the court was then mainly correct. The judgment must he reversed, because the court in an instruction to the jury allowed them to find vindictive or punitive damages, when there was no evidence to justify such an instruction. Judgment reversed and case remanded. The other judges concur except Judge Vories, absent.