Ferguson v. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.

The defendant appeals from a judgment rendered upon a jury verdict in the amount of $15,000 and the denial of its post-trial motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict and alternative prayer for a new trial.

The plaintiff was an over-the-road truck driver who resided in Missouri. After delivering a load of pallets in Chicago, he went to Springfield, Illinois, where he loaded pipe which was to be carried to Evansville, Indiana. He drove from Springfield to the Gateway Truck Stop in the vicinity of East St. Louis on Thanksgiving Eve where he joined with friends in food and drink for…