Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

210 Ala. 548

98 So 791

Heidtmueller v. Davis

Supreme Court of Alabama

Decided January 17, 1924

Supreme Court of Alabama · decided 1924-01-17

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently May 1955

Relies on Missouri Pac Co v. Ault · Ex Parte Southern Finance Co. · Payne v. Smitherman

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1924-01-17

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

BOULDIN, J.

¶1 This is an action of damages for death by wrongful act under Code of 1907, § 2486, known as the “Act to Prevent Homicides.”

¶2 The cause of action arose while the railroads were being operated by the federal government, under the act of Congress commonly known as the Federal Control Act (U. S. Comp. St. 1918, U. S. Comp. St. Ann. Supp. 1919, §§ 3115%a-3115 %p).

¶3 The damages recoverable under our statute being wholly punitive, and the damages allowable in a suit growing out of government control being compensatory only, this action cannot be maintained.

¶4 The cause must be affirmed' on the authority of Howard v. Davis, Director General, 209 Ala. 113, 95 South. 354; Payne, Director General, v. Smitherman, 206 Ala. 591, 91 South. 575; Missouri Pacific R. R. Co. v. Ault, 256 U. S. 554, 41 Sup. Ct. 593, 65 L. Ed. 1087.

¶5 Affirmed.

ANDERSON, C. J., and SOMERVILLE and THOMAS, JJ., concur.
/210/ala/548 · .json · Public domain