Ostrander v. City of Lansing

The plaintiff recovered a judgment of $2,500 for injuries received while in the employ of *694defendant in constructing a sewer in the year 1892. The injury occurred from the caving in of the earth on one side of the excavation, and there seems to be no dispute that this might have been avoided by properly shoring up the sides, which it was customary to do. But on this occasion there was not sufficient lumber there for the purpose, and but a single board was placed on either side of the excavation, about one foot below the surface, with a prop between. When the plaintiff had reached a depth of…