United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

General Ins. Co. v. Northern Pacific Ry. Co., 280 U.S. 72 (1929)

General Insurance Company of North America v.

Northern Pacific Railway Company

No. 23

Argued October 25, 1929

Decided November 25, 1929

280 U.S. 72

Syllabus

Proof that a building close to a railway track took fire soon after the passing of a train does not suffice to show that the fire was caused by sparks from the engine and to raise a presumption of negligence against the railway company in an action for damages caused by the fire. So held in accordance both with rulings of the Supreme Court of the Washington, where the fire occurred and the action was brought, and with rulings of the federal courts. P. 280 U. S. 76.

28 F.2d 574 affirmed.

Certiorari, 279 U.S. 827, to review a judgment of the circuit court of appeals which affirmed a judgment of the district court granting a nonsuit against the plaintiff, the present petitioner, in an action for damages caused by fire alleged to have resulted from negligence of the defendant railway company.