Minneapolis & St.L. R. Co. v. Gotschall, 244 U.S. 66 (1917)

Minneapolis & St. Louis Railroad Company v. Gotschall


No. 251


Argued April 9, 1917
Decided May 21, 1917
244 U.S. 66

ERROR TO THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

Syllabus

Plaintiff’s intestate, a brakeman, was thrown from a train carrying interstate commerce and killed as a result of couplers coming open while the train was in motion. Held that, in view of the Safety Appliance Act, negligence might be inferred from the mere opening of the couplers.

A father who by the state law is entitled to the earnings of his son during minority may recover damages for the latter’s death upon a cause of action under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.

130 Minn. 33 affirmed.

The case is stated in the opinion.