Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

175 Wis. 138

Bloomer v. Koepke

Wisconsin Supreme Court

Decided October 18, 1921

Wisconsin Supreme Court · decided 1921-10-18

Spencer, Judge. Action to recover compensation fon work done under a contract of hiring. Plaintiff claimed he was hired for the concrete paving season of 1920 as foreman in charge of a certain highway paving job for the sum of $4,000; that he performed his part of the contract; that he was paid the sum of $647.50 and no more, and that $3,352.50 was still due .him.

Affirmed · Decided 1921-10-18

Vinje, J.

¶1The trial court faced a situation by no means uncommon in jury cases. He felt that, in view of the very persuasive evidence to the effect that the hiring was by the season at $4,000, justice had not been done, and yet he felt, in view of defendants’ contradiction of such evidence, he ought not to change the first finding of the jury and render judgment for plaintiff, but that he would set aside the verdict and grant a new trial. He could not allow a pro rata compensation for the completed work as asked by the defendants because there was evidence that the work was delayed by reason of the defendants’ failure to furnish material and there was no evidence of the reasonable value of the services rendered. So he granted a new trial. His discretion in that respect cannot be disturbed.

¶2In view of the evidence of several witnesses besides plaintiff’s to the effect that the hiring was by the season for $4,000, and the admission of the defendants to the same effect both orally and in a letter to the state highway commission, the defendants certainly cannot complain because the court granted them another opportunity to go before a jury on .such issue.

¶3By the Court. — Order affirmed.

/175/wis/138 · .json · Public domain