The Southern Railway Company v. Lloyd case in 1915 revolved around the issue of whether a railway company could be held liable for damages incurred by a passenger due to an accident caused by negligence on part of the company's employees. The plaintiff, Mr. Lloyd, was injured when he fell from his berth after the train collided with another object on its tracks. He sued Southern Railway Company for $10,000 in damages claiming that they were responsible because their employee failed to properly inspect and clear the track ahead which led to his injury. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of Mr.Lloyd stating that it is indeed within a railway company’s duty towards its passengers to ensure safety during travel and this includes taking necessary precautions against foreseeable dangers or obstacles along their route. Therefore, if any harm comes upon a passenger as result of failure or neglecting these duties then they are entitled to seek compensation from said company.

In the dissenting opinion for Southern Railway Company v. Lloyd, it was argued that the majority's decision to hold a railway company liable for injuries sustained by an individual who trespassed on its property was unjust and set a dangerous precedent. The dissenting justices contended that this ruling effectively placed an undue burden of responsibility on railway companies to ensure the safety of individuals who unlawfully enter their premises without permission or invitation. They also expressed concern about potential implications for other industries, fearing it could lead to widespread liability claims against businesses whose properties are accessed illegally by trespassers. Furthermore, they disagreed with the majority's interpretation of "reasonable care," arguing that expecting companies to anticipate and prevent harm caused by unforeseen criminal acts is unreasonable and beyond what should be legally required.