Coalite, Inc. v. Aldridge

CATES, Judge.

Mr. and Mrs. Aldridge got a $1,000 negligence judgment because Coalite’s strip mine blasting caused vibrations which shook their house.

The judgment below can only be upheld if the evidentiary rule of res ipsa loquitur applies to prove negligence as a product of vibrations or concussions from blasting. We hold it does .and affirm.

I

Facts

Coalite, Inc., while engaged in strip mining, admittedly set off large quantities of explosives about 6100 feet from appellee’s house.

Coalite did the blasting complained of during the months of June, July, and August of 1965. Shots were set off once…