Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins

Erie Railroad Co. v. Tompkins is a Pennsylvania historical marker in Hughestown, Luzerne County, dedicated 1997.

Luzerne County · dedicated 1997 · Rock St., at Catholic Church, Hughestown

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In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1938 that, in cases between citizens of different states, federal courts must apply state common law, not federal "general common law." Under Pennsylvania common law, Harry Tompkins of Hughestown lost his case against the Erie Railroad, a New York State company. Tompkins had been struck by an unsecured door of a passing train and severely injured near this spot on July 27, 1934.

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what this marker records spans 1777 to 1789, overlapping William Gabby's years here

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Marker data: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission via data.pa.gov

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