Rogers v. Missouri Pacific Railroad Co.

Rogers (plaintiff) burned weeds along MPRR's (defendant) tracks using a hand torch on foot, as instructed, and was told to stand back as trains passed. When a passing train fanned nearby flames, Rogers ran further away, slipped, fell, and was seriously injured. A jury found for Rogers under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, which imposes liability for injuries caused even partly by the employer's negligence, but the Missouri Supreme Court reversed, finding Rogers should have watched the fire more closely and that the evidence didn't support the verdict.