Stilson

In this action to recover for personal injuries, defendants appeal from a judgment in favor of plaintiff Stilson.

Plaintiff’s employer, the American Bridge Division of the United States Steel Corporation (American Bridge), entered into a contract with appel lant Moulton-Niguel Water District (Moulton-Niguel) pursuant to which American Bridge was to construct large water tanks. Appellant Boyle Engineering Corp. (Boyle) served as supervising engineer for the project. During the course of construction of one of the tanks, plaintiff fell onto a steel floor from a 30-foot steel column on which he was working. Counsel for the defendants stipulated and the evidence produced during the trial shows that plaintiff’s fall and consequent injuries were caused by the negligent manner in which American Bridge erected and supported the column on which plaintiff was working when the accident occurred.

Plaintiff’s motion for a directed verdict against Moulton-Niguel and Boyle on the issue of liability was granted, and the jury returned a verdict, limited to the issue of damages of $312,875.23, after deduction of workmen’s compensation benefits paid. Defendants’ motion for a new trial was…