The Gillis v. New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company case in 1918 revolved around a dispute over the liability of a railroad company for an accident that resulted in the death of one of its employees. The plaintiff, Mrs. Gillis, as administratrix of her deceased husband's estate, argued that the company was negligent and therefore responsible for his death under federal law (the Federal Employers' Liability Act). However, the Supreme Court ruled against Mrs. Gillis on grounds that her claim did not meet certain requirements stipulated by this act - specifically because Mr. Gillis had been working at a fixed location rather than being engaged in interstate commerce at the time of his fatal accident; thus he was not covered by said legislation according to their interpretation.

In the dissenting opinion for Gillis v. New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Company, it was argued that the majority's decision failed to properly consider and apply relevant state laws regarding negligence and liability in fatal accidents. The dissent pointed out that under Massachusetts law (where the accident occurred), a company could be held liable if an employee's death resulted from another employee’s negligence while both were engaged in common employment. It was contended that there was sufficient evidence presented at trial to suggest such negligence on part of one or more employees of the railroad company which led to Mr. Gillis' death. Therefore, contrary to what majority concluded, this case should have been allowed to go before a jury instead of being dismissed by lower courts as per their view.