Daniels v. Railroad Company was a case heard by the United States Supreme Court in 1865. The plaintiff, Daniels, had been injured while working on a railroad owned and operated by the defendant company. He sued for damages due to negligence of the company's employees that caused his injury. The court found in favor of Daniels, ruling that he should be compensated for his injuries as well as any medical expenses incurred from them. This decision established an important precedent regarding employer liability for employee negligence; employers are responsible not only for their own actions but also those of their employees when it comes to safety issues related to work-related activities or tasks performed on behalf of the employer. This case is still cited today when discussing workplace safety and employer responsibility towards its workers' health and wellbeing

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Daniels v. Railroad Company, arguing that the majority's decision was contrary to both law and justice. He argued that Congress had not intended for railroad companies to be liable for damages caused by their negligence when they were operating under a charter granted by Congress. Furthermore, he asserted that it would be unfair to impose such liability on them since they are subject only to limited control from state legislatures and have no power of taxation or eminent domain like other corporations do. Additionally, Justice Field noted that if railroad companies were held liable for all damages caused by their negligence then this could lead to an increase in insurance rates which would ultimately hurt consumers who rely on railroads as a means of transportation. Finally, he concluded his dissent with the argument that allowing states to hold railroad companies responsible for any damage resulting from their negligence would create an unequal playing field between different types of businesses and thus violate due process rights guaranteed under the Constitution.