Cleghorn v. New York Central & H. River Ry. Co

Citation. Cleghorn v. New York C. & H. R. R. Co., 56 N.Y. 44

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CitationCleghorn v. New York C. & H. R. R. Co., 56 N.Y. 44, 1874 N.Y. LEXIS 78 (N.Y. 1874)

Brief Fact Summary. The plaintiff, Cleghorn (the “plaintiff”), was a passenger on a train and suffered injuries when two trains collided. Evidence showed that the defendant, New York Central & H. River Ry. Co’s employee (the “defendant”), a switchman, excessively indulged in alcoholic beverages and was intoxicated at the time of the accident. This information was known by the defendant company who had the power to hire and fire the employee.

Synopsis of Rule of Law. When an employee is working within the scope of his employment, the employer is liable for compensatory damages for the employee’s negligence. However, punitive damages will not be allowed unless he is charged with gross misconduct.

Points of Law - Legal Principles in this Case for Law Students.

If a railroad company, for instance, knowingly and wantonly employs a drunken engineer, or switchman, or retains one after knowledge of his habits is clearly brought home to the company, or to a superintending agent authorized to employ and discharge him, and injury occurs by reason of such habits, the company may and ought to be amenable to the severest rule of damages; but I am not aware of any principle which permits a jury to award exemplary damages in a case which does not come up to this standard, or to graduate the amount of such damages by their views of the propriety of the conduct of the defendant, unless such conduct is of the character before specified.

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Facts. The plaintiff is suing the defendant railroad company to recover damages. The plaintiff suffered injuries when the defendant’s employee, a switchman, neglected to close a switch which gave a false signal to the approaching train that everything was alright. As a result, the two trains collided and the plaintiff suffered severe injuries. Evidence showed that defendant’s employee was intoxicated at the time of the accident and was known for his “intemperate behavior” (excessive drinking). This information was known by the defendant company who had the power to hire and fire the employee. The first court ruled that the jury could hear an instruction that they were at liberty to award plaintiff full compensation and add exemplary damages depending on the conduct of the defendant. The defendant appeals.

Issues:

Whether evidence of the defendant’s employee’s intemperate habits should have been allowed to be heard?

Whether it was an error for the jury to be allowed to award exemplary or punitive damages in addition to the full compensation for the injury received?

Held: Judgment Reversed

Evidence of employees’ intoxication and intemperate habits is admissible. It is relevant as to whether the defendant was grossly negligent for employing and continuing to employ a subordinate known to be unfit for his position.

If an employee causes injuries to another, within the scope of his employment, the employer is liable for compensatory damages if there is negligence. However, the employer is not liable for punitive damages unless there is gross misconduct.

Discussion. The basic principle of this case is that in order for a defendant to be held liable for punitive damages there must be gross misconduct. Ordinary negligence is not sufficient. It must be reckless or criminal conduct. In this case, the court ruled that evidence of gross misconduct can be shown by proving that the employer knew that the employee was incompetent or unfit for the position he occupied.

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