Panama Railroad Co. v. Rock
United States Supreme Court
266 U.S. 209 (1924)
- Written by Sharon Feldman, JD
Facts
James Rock (plaintiff) brought an action in the Canal Zone district court to recover damages for the death of his wife, who had been a passenger on a train operated by Panama Railroad Company (Panama) (defendant). Rock alleged that his wife’s death was the result of Panama’s negligence. Article 2341 of the Civil Code of Panama provided that anyone guilty of an offense or fault that damaged another was obliged to repair it without prejudice to the principal penalty imposed for the offense or fault. Article 2341 became operative in the Canal Zone by the Executive Order of May 9, 1904, which provided that the laws with which the inhabitants were familiar would continue in force in the Canal Zone. The executive order was ratified by Congress in 1912. The jury returned a verdict for Rock. The court of appeals affirmed. On appeal, Panama argued that Rock did not have a right of action under the law of the Canal Zone.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Sutherland, J.)
Dissent (Holmes, J.)
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