Illinois Central Railroad v. Watkins

PITTMAN, Justice,

for the Court:

I

Illinois Central Railroad Company (hereinafter “Illinois Central”) appeals a jury’s award of damages in favor of landowner Thomas Watkins based on Illinois Central’s negligence. Specifically, the jury found Illinois Central to be negligent in its maintenance of a culvert beneath one of its track beds, resulting in damages to Watkins’ crops. The premise of Illinois Central’s appeal is that they cannot be responsible for the acts of beavers on their property.

II

Watkins owned land in Holmes County. Illinois Central owned a portion of land running through Watkins’…