Frick v. Washington Water Power Co. , 76 Wash. 12 ( 1913 )

On Rehearing.

Mount, J.

The original opinion in this case will be found in 72 Wash. 214, 130 Pac. 98, where the case is fully stated. When the original opinion was written, the writer overlooked the opinion in Zolawenski v. Aberdeen, 72 Wash. 95, 129 Pac. 1090, where the principal point was decided opposite to our conclusion in this case. Our attention was called to this fact; whereupon a rehearing was granted in both cases, and they were accordingly heard by the court sitting en banc. Upon this rehearing and further consideration, we have concluded that we went too far in this case when we announced the rule that a plaintiff in a personal injury case must abide the result of an allegation of perfect health, and failing to establish that fact, will not be permitted to recover for an aggravated condition of a previously known infirmity, which aggravated condition is caused by the negligence of the defendant.

This rule was there based upon the idea that the plaintiff, knowing her previous condition, should have alleged it, and claimed damages only for the aggravation. While there is substantial justice in this rule as there announced, we have now concluded that it is not the better rule, because it is a rule of almost universal application that a claim for a greater amount necessarily includes the lesser. For example: In an action upon a promissory note, or any other contract, where it is alleged that the whole amount thereof is due, the plaintiff will be permitted to recover the amount actually due, notwithstanding he willfully alleges and testifies that the whole-thereof is due, when in truth only a small part is due. The defense of payment in such cases is an affirmative defense, and -must be proved as such. No sufficient reason has been advanced why the same rule shall not apply in personal injury cases. The plaintiff alleges negligence of the defendant, and resulting injury; that he was in perfect health before the injury; that all his damage flowed naturally from the injury. He testifies to these facts, knowing that he was previously afflicted with diseases. The fact that he was previously afflicted was a defense pro tanto only, and not a complete defense. For it is a well settled rule that he is entitled to recovery for the injuries actually sustained, whether he is well or diseased at the time of the injury. Jordan v. Seattle, 30 Wash. 298, 70 Pac. 743, and cases there cited.

“But the plaintiff is not to be deprived of the case her pleadings and proofs made merely because she alleged a stronger case than she was able to prove.” Walters v. Seattle, Renton & Southern R. Co., 48 Wash. 233, 93 Pac. 419, 24 L. R. A. (N. S.) 788, and cases there cited.

We are of the opinion, therefore, that the trial court erroneously instructed the jury to the effect that there could be no recovery for an aggravated condition caused by the injury, if the plaintiff was diseased prior to the action and knew that fact. The court, on the other hand, should have instructed the jury, in substance that, if they found that the plaintiff was injured through the negligence of the defendant, and that the plaintiff was at that time suffering from a diseased condition, and such injury aggravated and accelerated such condition, then the plaintiff is entitled- to recover all damages which .actually flowed from the injury, except such as must have followed if the accident had not intervened.

The judgment is therefore reversed, and the cause remanded for a new trial.

Crow, C. J., Gose, Main, Parker, Ellis, and Morris, JJ., concur.