In the case of Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company v. Proffit, the U.S Supreme Court ruled in favor of the railway company. The dispute arose when a train owned by Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company collided with a wagon driven by Mr. Proffit, resulting in his death. His widow filed for damages under Virginia's wrongful death statute and was awarded $20,000 by lower courts on grounds that negligence from the railway company had caused her husband’s demise. However, upon appeal to the Supreme Court, it was determined that there were errors made during trial proceedings which may have influenced jury bias against the railroad company. Specifically noted were instructions given to jurors about presumptions regarding speed violations and failure to ring bells or sound whistles at crossings as evidence of negligence per se (in itself). The court held these instructions incorrect because they did not consider whether such actions would have prevented this specific accident. The ruling emphasized that while railroads must exercise due care in operating trains near highways; if an accident occurs despite taking all reasonable precautions then no liability can be imposed on them merely based on statutory violations without establishing causation between violation and injury.

In the dissenting opinion for Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Company v. Proffit, it was argued that the railway company should not be held liable for injuries sustained by an employee while performing his duties. The dissenting justices contended that there was insufficient evidence to prove negligence on part of the employer and thus, they disagreed with majority's decision to uphold a verdict in favor of the plaintiff. They believed that this case represented an unwarranted extension of liability under federal law governing employers' responsibilities towards their employees' safety at work. Furthermore, they expressed concern over potential implications such decisions could have on businesses and industries if companies were made responsible for accidents without clear proof of negligence or fault.