Porterfield v. City of Modesto

This is an action brought by plaintiffs, Estella and Agnes Porterfield, to recover damages for the death of Charles Porterfield, the husband and father, respectively, of plaintiffs. Porterfield’s death resulted from injuries received while working as a laborer in a sewer trench being constructed by the city of Modesto. The councilmen of the city were made parties defendant, but, by consent of plaintiffs’ counsel, the court instructed the jury that if they found for the plaintiffs the verdict should be against the city of Modesto only. The case was tried by the superior court with a jury, and…