Pennsylvania Railroad v. Chamberlain

288 U.S. 333, 53 S. Ct. 391, 77 L. Ed 819 (1933)

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Pennsylvania Railroad v. Chamberlain

United States Supreme Court
288 U.S. 333, 53 S. Ct. 391, 77 L. Ed 819 (1933)

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Facts

Chamberlain (plaintiff) sued Pennsylvania Railroad (the railroad) (defendant) alleging that the railroad negligently caused the death of a brakeman. Chamberlain, the administrator of the brakeman’s estate, claimed that employees of the railroad had negligently caused a multicar collision, resulting in the brakeman being thrown from the car he was riding and run over by another car. Three witnesses testified that no collision had occurred. Chamberlain’s witness testified that there had been a collision. The witness had not personally observed the collision but merely inferred from the circumstances that the crash had occurred. The trial court directed the jury to find in favor of the railroad, and the court of appeals reversed. The United States Supreme Court granted certiorari.

Rule of Law

Issue

Holding and Reasoning (Sutherland, J.)

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