In the 1934 case of Hildegard Schoenamsgruber v. Hamburg American Line, Ms. Schoenamsgruber sued the shipping company for injuries she sustained while a passenger on one of their ships. The ship had encountered rough seas and despite warnings from the crew, Ms. Schoenamsgruber chose to leave her cabin during this time and was subsequently injured when she fell down a staircase due to the rocking motion of the ship in stormy weather conditions. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hamburg American Line, stating that they were not liable for her injuries as they had taken reasonable precautions by warning passengers about potential dangers associated with leaving their cabins during rough seas. This decision established an important precedent regarding liability in cases where individuals ignore clear warnings about potential risks or hazards.

In the dissenting opinion for Hildegard Schoenamsgruber v. Hamburg American Line, it was argued that the majority's decision to dismiss Ms. Schoenamsgruber's claim against Hamburg American Line due to a lack of jurisdiction was incorrect. The dissenting justices believed that there were sufficient grounds for U.S courts to hear her case as she had purchased her ticket in New York and boarded the ship from a port in New York City. They contended that by selling tickets within the United States, Hamburg American Line subjected itself to U.S laws and regulations, including being held accountable in court for any injuries sustained on board their ships during voyages originating from U.S ports regardless of where they occurred or whether they involved foreign crew members or not.