Grant v. Los Angeles Transfer Co.

THOMAS, J.

This is an action brought to recover damages for the negligence of defendant. A verdict in the sum of ten thousand dollars was awarded plaintiff, and judgment was entered accordingly. There was a motion for new trial, which was denied. The appeal is from the judgment.

From the record we find that, on January 16, 1917, plaintiff, a minor, was injured in an accident at the corner of Ninth and Los Angeles Streets, in the city of Los Angeles, through the admitted negligence of the defendant. The plaintiff was taken to the city receiving hospital, was there given temporary aid and assistance, and then removed • to the county hospital. The injury consisted of a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, and a crushing injury to the left leg, just below the knee. The boy was extremely ill when first taken to the hospital, and required stimulation, which was given him by injecting salt solution into

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his veins. Infection thereafter set in, and his life was in danger. It was- some time before the infection began to subside, after which the injured gradually improved. Since that time his general condition, which was very poor, has been continually improving. It is claimed by appellant that there will be no permanent injury, “except, perhaps, a slight shortening of the leg, but this is indefinite.”

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Appellant informs us that the judgment appealed from is the result of a third trial. The first trial was had on June 7, 1917, when a verdict of fifteen thousand dollars was rendered. This verdict, however, was set aside by the trial judge, the Honorable Frederick W. Houser, and a new trial ordered because the verdict was excessive. Shortly thereafter, and as the parties were about to try the case anew before the same judge without a jury, the court stated that without further proof than was offered at the former trial he would enter judgment for ten thousand dollars. Thereupon defendant objected to his trying the case, and the matter was transferred to another department of the same court, where, on the sixth day of September, 1917, it was tried before the Honorable Leslie B. Hewitt, judge, and a jury, the result of which was a verdict in favor of plaintiff in the sum of ten thousand five hundred dollars. The court thereafter denied a motion for a new trial, but, upon the discovery that an instruction had been given which jeopardized the verdict, by consent of counsel for both parties, a new trial was ordered. Trial was again had, on January 17, 1918, resulting in a verdict for plaintiff in the sum of ten thousand dollars; the judgment entered in accordance therewith is the subject of this appeal.