Steeley v. Kurn

Action under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. Plaintiff and three fellow employees (Murphy, Mahan and Shirley) were lifting a steel rod (weighing 455 pounds) from the floor of the roundhouse to a wagon for movement to the machine shop. Plaintiff and Murphy lifted one end of the rod. Shirley and Mahan lifted the other end of the rod. Plaintiff testified that when the rod had been lifted “crotch high” Murphy suddenly dropped (released his hold) the rod, thereby causing additional weight on plaintiff which twisted his body and injured him. He also testified that he was looking at Murphy at…