Legal Document

350 U.S. 523 76 Supreme Court Reporter 608 100 L.Ed. 668 Alma SCHULZ, Administratrix of the Estate August M. Schulz, Petitioner,v.The PENNSYLVANIA RAILROAD COMPANY. Number 282. Argued March 27, 28, 1956. Decided April 9, Mr. Nathan Baker, New York City, for petitioner. Joseph Pacific KF135 P2 Allen, respondent. Justice BLACK delivered opinion Court. 1 The petitioner brought this suit damages under Jones Act,1 alleging that her husband while employed by respondent railroad as a tug fireman was drowned because negligent failure to provide him with safe place work. District Judge directed jury return verdict defendant, stating, 'There is some evidence negligence, and there an accidental death. But not shred connecting two.' Appeals affirmed, saying 'perhaps at most only doubtfully sufficient present question defendant's breach duty' it failed show 'where accident occurred' or 'that proximately caused any default on part defendant.'2 2 trial 'is parcel remedy afforded workers Employers Liability Act', which Act makes applicable those working petitioner's here.3 Seventh Amendment Constitution provides 'the right shall be preserved, no fact tried jury, otherwise reexamined in United States, than according rules common law.'4 We granted certiorari consider let case go jury. 882, 134. 3 While facts were dispute from could have found: On Christmas Day 1949, about 5:15 p.m., deceased, reported work his job Pier H, Jersey Jersey, assigned four tugboats docked side there. He went immediately check boats without waiting change street clothes. Returning pier alongside tugs seven o'clock, Schulz he had finished checking now going back clothes proceed other duties last seen alive walking direction nearest tug. At 1:25 a.m., supervisor found boats. His hanging upper engine room where attendants usually changed lunch package also Three all times wholly unlighted dark; one partially illuminated spotlights pier. night cold—10 above zero—and ice tugs. Because company did enough properly perform required Schultz try take care himself. To do step boat another dark except such limited illumination obtain flashlight. Several weeks after disappeared body water near adjacent clothed nothing but shorts socks. A flashlight hand. drowned. It conceded deceased influence alcohol when came boat, commit suicide, foul play, met death accident. showed capable experienced workman who been defendant several years. 4 In considering scope issues entrusted juries cases like this, must borne mind negligence cannot established direct, precise can used piece ground acre. Surveyors measure measuring different. definitions are all, strictly speaking. Usually discussing subject will say consists doing person reasonable prudence would done, failing done circumstances. Issues therefore, call exercise sense sound judgment circumstances particular cases. '(W)e think these questions determine. see reason, so long system law land, made tribunal decide disputed fact, why should well others.' versus East Tennessee, V. & G.R. Co., 1888, 128 443, 445, 9 118, 32 478. 5 entitled recover if husband's resulted 'in whole part'5 negligence. Fair-minded men certainly find foregoing requiring dark, icy undermanned And discovery Schulz's half-robed gripped hand slipped groped darkness attempting duties.6 courts below took possibility might fallen spot happened ice, shore lights. Doubtless (had court allowed its function) compelled draw inferences.7 For 'The very essence function select among conflicting inferences conclusions considers reasonable.'8 Fact finding does require mathematical certainty.9 Jurors supposed reach their basis sense, understanding fair beliefs, grounded consisting direct statements witnesses proof fairly drawn. 6 submission error so. 7 Reversed. 8 REED, BURTON MINTON dissent. FRANKFURTER, dissenting. 10 Considerations N Dec. Immigration Nationality Decisions heretofore spelled out govern me conviction writ dismissed improvidently granted. McAllister 348 19, 23, 75 6, 99 20; Carter Atlanta St. A.B. Ry. 338 430, 437, 70 226, 230, 94 236; Cahill York, N.H. H.R. 898, 180; Anderson Atlantic Coast Line R. 807, 60; Swafford 80; Moore Chesapeake O. 340 573, 578, 71 428, 95 547; Affolder C. L.R. 339 96, 101, 509, 511, 683. See Frankfurter Landis, Business Court, 206 et seq. 41 Statutes-at-Large 1007, 46 States Code KF62 § 688, Annotated KF65 U5 688. Cir., 222 Federal Reporter, 2nd Series 540, 541. Bailey Central Vermont 319 350, 354, 63 1062, 1064, 87 1444. discussion Galloway 372, 1077, 1458, cited. 53 1404, 45 51, 51; Cf. Sadler Pennsylvania 159 784. Johnson 333 46, 68 391, 92 468. Tennant Peoria P.U. 321 29, 35, 64 409, 412, 88 520. Conversely, 'It search record circumstantial order away theory gives equal support inconsistent uncertain inferences.' Ibid. Lavender Kurn, 327 645, 653, 66 740, 744, 90 916.

Classification Label: 7