In the case of Benjamin Haney, Charles Ogden, and John Trenchard v. The Baltimore Steam Packet Company and George W. Russell, the appellants were suing for damages due to injuries they sustained while working on a steamer owned by the respondents. The appellants argued that their injuries were caused by negligence on behalf of both parties in failing to provide them with proper safety equipment or instructions regarding how to use it properly. However, the Supreme Court found that there was no evidence of negligence as neither party had any duty or obligation towards providing such safety measures for employees who worked aboard vessels like this one. Furthermore, since these workers voluntarily assumed all risks associated with their work without being informed otherwise beforehand, they could not hold either party liable for any resulting harm suffered during their employment onboard this vessel.

In the dissenting opinion of this case, Justice Grier argued that the lower court had erred in its decision to deny damages for a collision between two steamboats. He asserted that while it was true that both vessels were at fault and should have taken proper precautions to avoid an accident, only one vessel caused actual damage. Therefore, he believed that the libellants (the owners of one of the boats) should be compensated for their losses due to negligence on behalf of the other boat's owner. Furthermore, Justice Grier noted how maritime law requires all ships involved in a collision to bear responsibility regardless if they are equally or unequally at fault; thus making it necessary for compensation from either party when there is any kind of injury or loss incurred as a result. In conclusion, Justice Grier concluded by stating his belief that even though both parties may have been negligent in some way leading up to the incident - since only one vessel actually caused physical harm - then only those responsible should be held accountable and pay damages accordingly.