In Railroad Company v. Smith et al., the Supreme Court of the United States was asked to decide whether a railroad company was liable for damages caused by a train accident. The plaintiffs, Smith et al., were passengers on the train when it collided with another train, resulting in injuries and property damage. The railroad company argued that it was not liable for the damages because the accident was caused by the negligence of the other train's engineer. The Supreme Court held that the railroad company was liable for the damages caused by the accident. The Court reasoned that the railroad company had a duty to exercise reasonable care in the operation of its trains, and that the negligence of the other train's engineer did not absolve the railroad company of its responsibility. The Court also noted that the railroad company had a duty to provide a safe environment for its passengers, and that the negligence of the other train's engineer did not excuse the railroad company from this duty. The Court concluded that the railroad company was liable for the damages caused by the accident, and ordered the company to pay the plaintiffs for their injuries and property damage. This case established the principle that a railroad company is liable for damages caused by its negligence, even if the negligence of another party contributed to the accident.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Railroad Company v. Smith et al., arguing that the majority's decision was wrongfully decided and should be reversed. He argued that under the law, a railroad company is not liable for injuries sustained by passengers due to negligence of its servants unless it had knowledge or notice of such negligence prior to the accident occurring. In this case, there was no evidence presented which showed that either party had any knowledge or notice of any negligent act on behalf of anyone employed by the railroad company prior to when plaintiff's injury occurred. Therefore, Justice Field concluded that since there was no proof showing actual or constructive notice on behalf of either party, then neither could be held liable for damages resulting from an alleged negligent act committed by one employed with them at some point before plaintiff's injury took place.