New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company v. Tonsellito/Opinion of the Court

by James Clark McReynolds

United States Supreme Court

244 U.S. 360

New York Central & Hudson River Railroad Company  v.  Tonsellito

 Argued: April 30, 1917. --- Decided: June 4, 1917

By stipulation, these causes were tried together before the same jury and upon the same testimony. Michael Tonsellito, an infant seventeen years old, suing by his father, James Tonsellito, as next friend, and relying upon the Federal Employers' Liability Act, obtained a judgment for personal injuries suffered while employed by plaintiff in error-Number 239. These injuries, he alleged, resulted from negligence in constructing and maintaining its roadbed and in starting a locomotive without giving him a reasonable opportunity to climb thereon. James Tonsellito recovered for himself on account of expenses incurred for medical attention to his son and loss of the latter's services-Number 240. Both judgments were affirmed by the court of errors and appeals. 87 N. J. L. 651, 94 Atl. 804.

Reversal is asked in the cause instituted by Michael Tonsellito because (1) he was not engaged in interstate commerce when injured; (2) no negligence by the railroad was shown; (3) he assumed the risk; and (4) he was a mere volunteer when the accident occurred. We think there was adequate evidence to justify submission of all these matters to the jury; and we are unable to say the charge contains material error. Both state courts have sustained the judgment; there are no special circumstances demanding comment; and it seems enough to announce our conclusion. Great Northern R. Co. v. Knapp, 240 U.S. 464, 466, 60 L. ed. 745, 751, 36 Sup. Ct. Rep. 399; Erie R. Co. v. Welsh, 242 U.S. 303, 61 L. ed. 319, 37 Sup. Ct. Rep. 116.

The court of errors and appeals ruled, and it is now maintained, that the right of action asserted by the father existed at common law and was not taken away by the Federal Employers' Liability Act. But the contrary view, we think, is clearly settled by our recent opinions in New York C. etc. R. Co. v. Winfield, 244 U.S. 147, 61 L. ed. --, 37, Sup. Ct. Rep. 546, and Erie R. Co. v. Winfield, 244 U.S. 170, 61 L. ed. --, 37 Sup. Ct. Rep. 556 (decided May 21, 1917). There we held the act 'is comprehensive and also exclusive' in respect of a railroad's liability for injuries suffered by its employees while engaging in interstate commerce. 'It establishes a rule or regulation which is intended to operate uniformly in all the states as respects interstate commerce, and in that field it is both paramount and exclusive.' Congress having declared when, how far, and to whom carriers shall be liable on account of accidents in the specified class, such liability can neither be extended nor abridged by common or statutory laws of the state.

The judgment in Number 239 is affirmed.

In Number 240 the judgment below is reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.

Reversed.

Mr. Justice Brandeis concurs in the result announced in No. 240.

Notes