Van Dorpel v. Haven-Busch Co.

(for affirmance). On December 22, 1948, Peter Van Dorpel a 65-year-old widower with out dependents was working at the job he had followed for upwards of 5 years: painting steel beams and angle irons for his employer. When painting heavy steel beams it was the practice to rest a number of beams on steel shophorses, attaching the one being painted to an overhead electric chain hoist, which from time to time could be operated for ease in maneuvering or turning the beam on which a man was working. On the day in question, as one of the beams was being turned on the chain hoist, the chain broke and…