Western Union Telegraph Co. v. Hall
Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
In Error to the District Court of the United States for the District of Maryland, at Baltimore; John C. Rose, Judge. Action at law for damages by George M. Hall against the Western Union Telegraph Company, Incorporated. Judgment for plaintiff, and defendant brings error. The plaintiff, in error was the defendant, and the defendant in error was the plaintiff, below, and they will be so referred to herein.
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In Error to the District Court of the United States for the District of Maryland, at Baltimore; John C. Rose, Judge. Action at law for damages by George M. Hall against the Western Union Telegraph Company, Incorporated. Judgment for plaintiff, and defendant brings error. The plaintiff, in error was the defendant, and the defendant in error was the plaintiff, below, and they will be so referred to herein. This was an action of tort to recover damages laid at $5,000, which arose as follows: The plaintiff, after serving as an enlisted man in the Navy, was honorably discharged at Mare’s Island,…
1Opinion of the CourtMcDOWELL, District Judge
(after stating the facts as above). [1] In telegraph cases, as in other negligence cases, liability for negligence (which is not wanton, willful, or malicious) is confined to compensation for such losses and other injuries as should reasonably have been foreseen by an ordinarily prudent person as the natural and probable consequence of such negligence in the light of the attending circumstances. In Milwaukee, etc., R. Co. v. Kellogg, 94 U. S. 469, 475 (24 L. Ed. 256), it is said:
“But it is generally held that, in order to warrant a finding that negligence, or an act not amounting to wanton…
2Cases cited26 opinions
- Milwaukee & Saint Paul Railway Co. v. KelloggSupreme Court of the United States · 1877
- Primrose v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Supreme Court of the United States · 1894
- Richmond & Danville Railroad v. PowersSupreme Court of the United States · 1893
- Southern Express Co. v. ByersSupreme Court of the United States · 1916
- Western Union Telegraph Co. v. HallSupreme Court of the United States · 1888
21 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.
3Cited by11 opinions
- Chesapeake & Potomac Tel. Co. v. ClayCourt of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit · 1952
- Saylor v. Enterprise Electric Co.Oregon Supreme Court · 1924
- Siats v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Supreme Court of Minnesota · 1958
- Siegel v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Appellate Court of Illinois · 1941
- Faulkner v. Western Union Telegraph Co.Missouri Court of Appeals · 1929
6 more not listed; retrieve them via the Exa API.