Swift & Co. v. Platte’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

2 federal appellate · 34 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 36 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “. . it is not necessarily error to allow counsel for plaintiff to draw attention to the fact of the existence of insurance companies which indemnify employers against loss or damage which may arise from injuries to their employees, and to conduct an inquiry, in good faith and within reasonable limits, concerning the questions whether such jurors have any connection with, or interest in, such insurance companies, and whether, in case such indemnity exists, it may affect their judgment or the verdict which they may give. . . . The extent of such examination must be left largely to the sound discretion of the trial court, and unless an abuse of it be clearly shown a reviewing court will not interfere.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the dissent
   e.g. Powell v. Kansas Yellow Cab Co.

2. ““The inquiries were not so much directed at the possible connection of jurors with insurance companies or with those representing them, but mainly pressed upon the jurors questioned, as well as those listening, the fact that packing companies were insured, and that these companies were hiring the lawyers and would pay the judgment if any should be given.””

   1 later decision quote this exact passage · from the majority
   e.g. Mathena v. Burchett