United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

Railroad Company v. Jones, 95 U.S. 439 (1877)

Railroad Company v. Jones

95 U.S. 439

Syllabus

1. Negligence may consist in either failing to do what, under the circumstances, a reasonable and prudent man would ordinarily have done, or in doing what he would not have done.

2. A. was one of a party of men employed by a railroad company in constructing and repairing its roadway. They were usually conveyed by the company to and from the place where their services were required, and a boxcar was assigned to their use. Although on several occasions forbidden to do so, and warned of the danger, A., on returning from work one evening, rode on the pilot or bumper of the locomotive, when the train, in passing through a tunnel, collided with cars standing on the track, and he was injured. There was ample room for him in the boxcar. All in it were unhurt.

Held:

1. That as A. would not have been injured had he used ordinary care and caution, he is not entitled to recover against the company.

2. That the knowledge, assent, or direction of the agents of the company as to what he did at the time in question is immaterial. The company, although bound to a high degree of care, did not insure his safety.

The facts are fully stated in the opinion of the Court.