Frank N. Harper v. Illinois Central Gulf Railroad

This appeal presents questions concerning the propriety of trial rulings that prohibited the plaintiffs from presenting evidence offered to prove mental anguish. We hold that the district court’s rulings were proper because the plaintiffs failed to establish any basis for recovery for their alleged mental anguish. The plaintiffs’ evidence of mental anguish was therefore irrelevant and was properly excluded.

The plaintiffs in this action are Mr. and Mrs. Frank N. Harper and their son Frank, Jr. A train owned by the defendant, Illinois Central Gulf Railroad Company, derailed in Livingston,…