Summary
In Cragar v. Jones, 280 Ark. 549, 660 S.W.2d 168 (1983), a divided court reached a similar result on the ground that the plaintiff had presented no evidence of proximate causation.
Summary of this case from Wallace v. BroylesOpinion
No. 83-141
Opinion delivered November 14, 1983
1. TORTS — PROXIMATE CAUSATION. — Before an act can be the proximate cause of an injury the injury must be the probable and natural consequence of that act. 2. TORTS — NEGLIGENCE WAS NOT THE PROXIMATE CAUSE OF THE INJURY. — Where appellee's negligence admittedly caused appellee's and appellant's vehicles to collide, but appellant's injury did not occur until she left her vehicle and slipped while walking to a nearby house, there was no issue for the jury since appellee's original negligence did not lead in natural sequence, without an intervening cause, to appellant's injuries. 3. TORTS — PROXIMATE CAUSE Is JURY QUESTION, USUALLY. — Although proximate causation is usually a question for the jury, where reasonable minds cannot differ a question of law is presented for determination by the court.
Appeal from Conway Circuit Court; Charles H. Eddy, Judge; affirmed.
Gordon Gordon, P.A., for appellant.
Laser, Sharp Huckabay, P.A., for appellee.
In this case we are presented with a classic case of lack of proximate causation. On January 29, 1979, Mrs. Cecil Jones' automobile crossed the center line of the highway and collided with the truck driven by Sarah Cragar, the appellant. Admittedly Jones' negligence caused the occurrence and admittedly Sarah Cragar was not hurt in the collision. Apparently, at Mrs. Jones suggestion, Cragar got out of her vehicle and walked up to Jerry Jones' home. As she was walking on the sidewalk she slipped and fell on ice, sustaining injuries. She sued Mrs. Jones for those personal injuries and for property damage to her truck. The trial judge granted Mrs. Jones' motion for summary judgment as to the claim for personal injuries. The summary judgment was granted purely on the pleadings and the legal issue of proximate causation: Did the negligence of Jones in driving her automobile cause the injuries sustained in the slip and fall? The trial judge held that there was no proximate causation and we agree.
Before an act can be the proximate cause of an injury the injury must be the probable and natural consequence of that act. Kubik v. Igleheart, 280 Ark. 310, 657 S.W.2d 545 (1983); Ben M. Hogan Co. v. Krug, 234 Ark. 280 351 S.W.2d 451 (1961). There was no issue for the jury presented since Mrs. Jones' original negligence did not lead in natural sequence, without an intervening cause, to Cragar's injuries. Kubik v. Igleheart, supra. It was not argued that it was a negligent act of Jones to suggest Cragar walk to the Jones home. It was argued that it was a jury question whether the original negligent conduct caused the ultimate injury.
Although proximate causation is usually a question for the jury, where reasonable minds cannot differ a question of law is presented for determination by the court. See Keck v. American Employment Agency, Inc., 279 Ark. 294, 652 S.W.2d 2 (1983); W. Prosser, The Law of Torts, 45 (4th ed. 1971).
Affirmed.
ADKISSON, C.J., and PURTLE, J., dissent.
Just who possesses a reasonable mind seems subject to debate. I feel I have a reasonable mind, and if so, then proximate cause was a matter for the jury to decide in this case. In quoting Prosser on torts we stated in Keck v. American Employment Agency, Inc., 279 Ark. 294, 652 S.W.2d 2 (1983) that a jury question would be presented, "In any case where there might be reasonable difference of opinions as to the foreseeability of a particular risk, the reasonableness of the defendant's conduct with regard to it, or the normal character of an intervening cause." I also believe appellant's attorneys have reasonable minds. Nevertheless the majority holds that we are not of reasonable minds. I disagree. I would reverse and remand for the purpose of allowing a jury to determine whether the injuries of the appellant were proximately caused by the appellee's negligence.