In the case of Terre Haute & Indiana Railway Company v. Struble, the Supreme Court of the United States was asked to determine whether a railroad company was liable for damages caused by a collision between two of its trains. The plaintiff, Struble, was a passenger on one of the trains and was injured in the collision. The defendant, the Terre Haute & Indiana Railway Company, argued that it was not liable for the damages because the collision was caused by the negligence of the engineer of the other train. The Supreme Court held that the railroad company was liable for the damages caused by the collision. The Court reasoned that the railroad company was responsible for the safety of its passengers and that it was negligent in failing to provide a safe environment for them. The Court also noted that the railroad company had a duty to exercise reasonable care in the operation of its trains and that it had failed to do so in this case. The Court concluded that the railroad company was liable for the damages caused by the collision and ordered it to pay the plaintiff for his injuries. This case established the principle that a railroad company is responsible for the safety of its passengers and must exercise reasonable care in the operation of its trains.

Justice Field delivered the dissenting opinion in Terre Haute & Indiana Railway Company v. Struble, arguing that the majority had failed to consider a key element of the case: whether or not an implied contract existed between Struble and the railway company. He argued that there was evidence suggesting such a contract did exist, as both parties had acted on it for some time before any dispute arose. Furthermore, he noted that if no express agreement existed between them then they must have been operating under an implied one, which should be enforced by law just like any other contractual obligation. Justice Field concluded by stating his belief that this issue should have been addressed more thoroughly and with greater consideration given to all relevant facts before reaching their decision.