Cause of railroad injuries
CSX Transportation v. McBride
In brief
The Supreme Court left the Seventh Circuit’s judgment in place in McBride’s case against CSX.
- Where it stands
- Decided
Decided 5-4 · June 23, 2011 · Opinion by Justice Ginsburg
- What it’s about
- Railroad engineer Robert McBride’s suit against CSX raised whether a worker suing under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act must prove the railroad’s negligence was the legal cause of the injury. The Supreme Court left the Seventh Circuit’s judgment in place.
- Who it affects
- The Seventh Circuit’s judgment remains in place in McBride’s case against CSX.
Summary: written with AI from the case record.
What it's about
McBride was a railroad engineer; his suit raised whether he had to prove the railroad’s negligence was the legal cause of his injury.
The case concerned what link a railroad worker must prove between a railroad’s negligence and an injury under FELA.
Question presented
Does the Federal Employers' Liability Act require proof of proximate causation?
What the Court decided
Holding
The judgment is affirmed. 598 F. 3d 388, affirmed.
- Result
- Affirmed
The vote
From the opinions
“The Court today holds that this principle does not apply to actions under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)”
What's next
The Seventh Circuit’s judgment remains in force after the Supreme Court’s decision.
Documents
Opinions
Audio
Docket activity
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Case Briefing
New analysis added
AI analysis generated: Impact Analysis
AI analysis generated: Opinion Summary
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AI analysis generated: Decision Record
Case data updated: summary, question_presented, generation_metadata
Case data updated: question_presented, extraction_metadata
Audio Recording added: Oral Arguments - McBride
Opinion added: McBride
Sources
Primary materials plus reporting. Best-effort analysis: this explainer relies on a mix of primary materials and trusted secondary sources. Official filings and opinions remain authoritative.