Goodsell v. Hartford & New Haven Railroad
Supreme Court of Connecticut
Action on the case for injuries to the plaintiff’s testator through the negligence of the defendants in running their cars, upon which he was a passenger, brought upon the act of 1853, “ to prevent injuries and the destruction of life upon railroads.” Revision of 18.66, p. 202.* After demurrer overruled, the parties were heard on the question of damages.
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Action on the case for injuries to the plaintiff’s testator through the negligence of the defendants in running their cars, upon which he was a passenger, brought upon the act of 1853, “ to prevent injuries and the destruction of life upon railroads.” Revision of 18.66, p. 202.* After demurrer overruled, the parties were heard on the question of damages. It was admitted that the plaintiff’s testator was injured, and died, as stated in the declaration ; and that he left a widow, who was also fatally injured hy the same accident, and who survived her husband but one week. The plaintiff offered…
1Opinion of the CourtMcCurdy, J.
It is a singular fact that by the common law the greatest injury which one man can inflict upon another, the taking of his life, is without private remedy. By a strange fiction the extremity of the wrong precludes redress.
The state of Connecticut was among the first to break through this principle. - Among our early statutes is one exacting compensation for a loss of life from the deficiency of a road or bridge. In 1848 it was enacted that a suit for injury to the person, whether the same do or do not result in death, shall survive to his executor or administrator. Revision of 1866, p. 22.…
2Cases cited1 opinion
- Seger v. Town of BarkhamstedSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1852
3Cited by28 opinions
- Floyd v. Fruit Industries, Inc.Supreme Court of Connecticut · 1957
- Ecker v. Town of West HartfordSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1987
- Burkhardt v. Armour & Co.Supreme Court of Connecticut · 1932
- Chase v. FitzgeraldSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1946
- Kling v. TorelloSupreme Court of Connecticut · 1913
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