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http://laws.findlaw.com/us/249/168.html |
249 U.S. 168
NEW YORK CENT. R. CO.
v.
PORTER et al.
No. 134.
Submitted Jan. 10, 1919.
Decided March 3, 1919.
Mr. Robert E. Whalen, of Albany, N. Y., for plaintiff in error.
Messrs. Merton E. Lewis, of Rochester, N. Y., and E. Clarence Aiken, of Albany, N. Y., for defendants in error.
Mr. Justice McREYNOLDS delivered the opinion of the Court.
Lewis M. Porter, a section man, was struck and instantly killed by plaintiff in error's engine attached to a passenger train and moving along the main track. The Appellate Division affirmed an award in behalf of his [249 U.S. 168, 169] widow and children under the New York Workmen's Compensation Law (Consol. Laws, c. 67). Porter v. New York Cent. & H. R. R. Co., 172 App. Div. 918, 156 N. Y. Supp. 1141
If the deceased was employed in interstate commerce when the accident occurred, consequent rights and liabilities arose under the federal Employers' Liability Act (Act April 22, 1908, c. 149, 35 Stat. 65 [Comp. St. 8657-8665]), and the state statute did not apply. New York Central R. R. Co. v. Winfield, 244 U.S. 147 , 37 Sup. Ct. 546, L. R. A. 1918C, 439, Ann. Cas. 1917D, 1139; Erie R. R. Co. v. Winfield, 244 U.S. 170 , 37 Sup. Ct. 556, Ann. Cas. 1918B, 662.
The evidence showed and the State Workmen's Compensation Commission found:
Considered in connection with our opinions in Pederson v. Del., Lack . & West. R. R., 229 U.S. 146 , 33 Sup. Ct. 648, Ann. Cas. 1914C, 153, Southern Railway Co. v. Puckett, 244 U.S. 571 , 37 Sup. Ct. 703, Ann. Cas. 1918B, 69, and cases there cited, we think the circumstances here presented make it quite clear that when killed Porter was employed in interstate commerce. Accordingly, the judgment below must be reversed and the cause remanded for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion.
Reversed and remanded.
Mr. Justice CLARKE dissents.