Gleeson v. Virginia Midland R. Co., 140 U.S. 435 (1891)
U.S. Supreme Court
Gleeson v. Virginia Midland R. Co., 140 U.S. 435 (1891)
Gleeson v. Virginia Midland Railroad Company
No. 287
Argued April 6, 1891
Decided May 11, 1891
140 U.S. 435
ERROR TO THE SUPREME COURT
OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Syllabus
A landslide in a railway cut, caused by an ordinary fall of rain, is not an "act of God" which will exempt the railway company from liability to passengers for injuries caused thereby while being carried on the railway.
It is the duty of a railway company to so construct the banks of its cuts that they will not slide by reason of the action of ordinary natural causes, and by inspection and care to see that they are kept in such condition, and the failure to do so is negligence, which entails liability for injuries to passengers caused by their giving way.