Document: 335 U.S. 520 69 S.Ct. 275 93 L.Ed. 208 CORAYv.SOUTHERN PAC. CO. No. 54. Argued Dec. 6, 7, 1948. Decided Jan. 3, 1949. Mr. Parnell Black, of Salt Lake City, Utah, for petitioner. A. H. Nebeker, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered the opinion Court. 1 This action was brought in a Utah state court under Federal Safety Appliance and Employers' Liability Acts1 to recover damages death Frank Lucus, an employee respendent railroad. The decedent's occurred when one-man flat-top motorcar crashed into back end eighty-two car freight train on main-line track at point near Lemay, Utah. Both were being operated eastward direction railroad business. unexpectedly stopped just before crash because air its brake lines escaped, thereby locking brakes. had escaped violation Act that threads valve so badly worn nut became disconnected. When brakes locked, several hundred feet behind moving about same rate as train, not excessive ordinary circumstances. motor equipped with which they been applied could have within distance one feet. But decedent who control did apply Apparently he another him looking backward toward block signal therefore know stopped.2 2 Despite proof railroad's Act, trial judge directed jury return verdict favor. resulted from court's holding didn't Act's protection against defective extend employees following crashing suddenly appliances. 3 On appeal State Supreme Court affirmed. 185 P.2d 963, 969. That agreed interpretation also held evidence failed show appliance 'legal' cause decedent. obvious importance restrictive given two federal Acts prompted us grant certiorari. 4 First. We cannot agree Court's although ran it 'violated no duty owing' said object 'insofar might be concerned, is protect standing, but trains.' 5 do view purpose narrowly. It commands railroads run trains An abrupt or unexpected stop due bad equally dangerous others failure And this fairly interpreted, must all need results maintenance operation congressionally prohibited appliances Fairport, P. & E. R. Co. v. Meredith, 292 589, 597, 54 826, 829, 78 1446. injuries inflicted result follows unlawful use equipment 'not position may in, work doing moment injured.' Brady Terminal Ass'n, 303 10, 16, 58 426, 429, 430, 82 614; Louisville N.R. Layton, 243 617, 621, 37 456, 457, 61 931. In case where undisputed established air-brake appliances, petitioner entitled if sole contributory proximate employee's death. Davis Wolfe, 263 239, 243, 44 64, 66, 68 284; Spokane I.E.R. Campbell, 241 497, 509, 510, 36 683, 689, 60 1125. 6 Second. reviewed here matter law proximately contribute discussed distinctions between 'proximate cause' legal sense, deemed sufficient impose liability, 'cause' 'philosophical sense,' insufficient liability. considered stopping sense' created 'a condition upon negligence plaintiffs' intestate operated,' perhaps many causes 'so insignificant mind would think them causes.' added, however, 'was result,' classifying substantial, well actual factor bringing about' conclusion reached part reasoning 'The leak triple caused stop, safety device, designed that.' 7 language selected by Congress fix liability cases kind simple direct. Considera ion meaning introduction dialectical subtleties can serve useful interpretative purpose. statute declares shall responsible their employees' deaths 'resulting whole part' such maintained. 45 U.S.C. § 51, U.S.C.A. 51. make crystal clear, has provided 'no * guilty any case' here, 'contributed employee.' 53, 53. thus own reasons imposed extraordinary obligations commanded breach these contributes death, pay damages. These air-brakes defective; reason alone stopped; speed train; circumstances inseparably related time space. found foregoing 8 error direct judgment reversed remanded further proceedings inconsistent opinion. 9 Reversed remanded. 10 ordered. 27 Stat. 531, 32 943, §§ 1, 8, 9, 9; 35 65, amended, 291, 53 1404, 56, 59, 59. Petitioner employed maintainer. other occupant capacity. new first trip took familiarize himself sign ls. occupants seated signal. Contributory defense action.

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