Hudson v. Southern Pacific Transportation Co.

Plaintiff, a brakeman for defendant railroad, brought this action under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA), 45 USC § 51 et seq, and the Safety Appliance Act (SAA), 45 USC § 1 et seq, for injuries sustained when he fell from a ladder attached to a boxcar on which he was working. Defendant moved to withdraw plaintiffs SAA claim from the jury. The trial court denied the motion. A jury returned a verdict for defendant.

Plaintiff appeals. He contends that the trial court erred in instructing the jury on the requirements of SAA. The question is whether a ladder fixed to the side of…