In the case of Blossom v. The Milwaukee, &C., Railroad Company, the Supreme Court was asked to decide whether a railroad company could be held liable for damages caused by its negligence in failing to provide adequate safety measures on its tracks. The plaintiff argued that since the railroad had failed to take reasonable steps to protect passengers and property from harm while traveling along their lines, they should be held responsible for any resulting injuries or losses suffered as a result of this negligence. After considering both sides' arguments, the court ruled in favor of the plaintiff and found that railroads must exercise due care when operating their trains so as not to cause injury or damage through neglectful behavior. This decision established an important precedent which has been followed ever since: companies are expected to use reasonable care when providing services which may affect public safety and welfare.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Blossom v. The Milwaukee, &C., Railroad Company. He argued that the majority's decision was an unwarranted extension of liability on railroad companies for injuries to their passengers and employees caused by negligence or other wrongful acts of third parties. He noted that while it is true that a corporation may be liable for its own negligent acts, this should not extend to those committed by others over which it has no control or authority. Furthermore, he argued that if such a rule were adopted then corporations would be held responsible for any injury suffered by persons using their services regardless of whether they had anything to do with causing them harm or not. In conclusion, Justice Field maintained that allowing such broad liability could have serious implications on businesses and society as a whole and thus should not be allowed under existing law without further consideration from Congress first.