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Farwell v. Boston & Worcester Rail Road Corp.

Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court
45 Mass. 49 (1842)

Written by Eric Miller, JD

Facts

Farwell (plaintiff) worked as an engineer for the Boston and Worcester Rail Road Corp. (Boston and Worcester) (defendant). A careless mistake by a switch operator, also employed by Boston and Worcester, caused the railway car in which Farwell was working to go off the tracks. Farwell was thrown from the railway and Farwell’s hand was crushed by a train wheel. Farwell brought suit against Boston and Worcester. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (Shaw, C.J.)

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A "yes" or "no" answer to the question framed in the issue section;
A summary of the majority or plurality opinion, using the CREAC method; and
The procedural disposition (e.g., reversed and remanded, affirmed, etc.).

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