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[17] Pluckwell V. Wilson. NISI PRIUS. 1832. 5 CARRINGTON & PAYNE 
375. 
But a plaintiff cannot recover for damage which, 
though preceded by Defendant's Negligence, was 
not caused by it Nor even for damage caused by 
it, if Negligence of his own also formed a part 
of the immediate cause. 
ACTION for an injury done to the plaintiff's chaise by a 
carriage of the defendant's, driven by his servant. There was 
contradictory evidence as to the cause of the injury, and also 
as to whether the defendant's carriage was in the centre of the 
road, or on its proper side. 
Mr. Justice ALDERSON left it to the jury to say whether the 
injury to the plaintiff's chaise was occasioned by negligence on 
the part of the defendant's servant, without any negligence on 
the part of the plaintiff himself; for if the plaintiff's 
negligence in any way concurred in producing the injury, the 
defendant would be entitled to the verdict. Also, they would 
have to say whether it was altogether an accident; in which case 
also the defendant would be entitled to the verdict. 
His Lordship also observed that a person was not bound to keep 

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on the ordinary side of the road; but that, if he did not do so, 
he was bound to use more care and diligence, (and keep a better 
look-out, that he might avoid any concussion), than would be 
requisite if he were to confine himself to his proper side of 
the road. 
Verdict for the plaintiff - Damages £25. 
[EDITOR'S NOTE. Cf. Lack v. Lack v. Seward (4 C. & P. 106) where 
a collision with the defendant's barge had sunk the plaintiff's; 
and Lord Tenterden, C.J., similarly ruled that plaintiff could 
not recover if the collision arose either (1) "from the state of 
the tide or other circumstances which persons of competent skill 
could not guard against", or (2) "when the plaintiff had put his 
barge in such a place that persons, though using ordinary care, 
would run against it." 
An omnibus company is negligent is negligent if it do not stop 
its omnibuses when an intending passenger is getting up. But if 
he gets up without making it stop, he is guilty of "contributory 
negligence"; which may defeat his right to sue them for any 
injuries he may sustain by falling whilst getting up. 
A curious American instance of contributory negligence is the 
case of Green v. Ashland Water Co. (101 Wisconsin 258); in which 
a water company, sued for causing typhoid fever by supplying 
water polluted by sewage, pleaded successfully that the customer 
had been guilty of contributory negligence in drinking it, for 

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its pollution had become notorious. In several American cases 
where ladies have sued for injuries caused by falling upon a 
path or staircase, negligently left dangerous, they have been 
met by a plea of Contributory Negligence because they walked in 
such a place in high-heeled shoes.] 

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