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Southern Pacific Company v. Jensen

United States Supreme Court

244 U.S. 205 (1917)

Facts

Christen Jensen (Mr. Jensen), a longshoreman for Southern Pacific Company (plaintiff), was killed while unloading lumber from a ship owned by Southern Pacific and docked in New York. Mr. Jensen’s widow, Marie Jensen (defendant), was awarded benefits under the New York workers’-compensation statute. Southern Pacific challenged the award, arguing that Mr. Jensen’s death was governed by maritime law and therefore the New York statute did not apply. The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division approved the award, and the New York Court of Appeals affirmed. The United States Supreme Court granted a writ of error.

Rule of Law

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Issue

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Holding and Reasoning (McReynolds, J.)

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Dissent (Holmes, J.)

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