In Myrick v. Michigan Central Railroad Company, the Supreme Court of the United States was asked to decide whether a railroad company could be held liable for the death of a passenger who was killed while crossing the tracks. The plaintiff, Myrick, was the administrator of the deceased's estate and argued that the railroad company was negligent in failing to provide a safe crossing. The Court held that the railroad company was liable for the death of the passenger. The Court reasoned that the railroad company had a duty to provide a safe crossing for passengers and that it had breached that duty by failing to do so. The Court also noted that the railroad company had failed to take reasonable steps to protect passengers from the dangers of crossing the tracks. The Court concluded that the railroad company was liable for the death of the passenger and awarded damages to the plaintiff. This case established that railroad companies have a duty to provide a safe crossing for passengers and that they can be held liable for failing to do so.

In Myrick v. Michigan Central Railroad Company, the Supreme Court was asked to determine whether a railroad company had violated an act of Congress by charging more than the maximum rate for transporting goods. The majority opinion held that the railroad company did not violate any laws and could charge whatever it wanted. Justice Field dissented from this decision, arguing that Congress had clearly set out a maximum rate in its legislation and that this should be enforced regardless of what other states may have done or allowed in similar cases. He argued further that if companies were allowed to ignore federal regulations like these then they would become too powerful and ultimately harm consumers who rely on reasonable rates for transportation services. As such, he concluded that Congress' intent should be respected and upheld even if it meant overruling decisions made by state courts in similar cases.