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Supreme Court · Decisions

Ellis v. Union Pacific Railroad Co.

329 U.S. 649 · No. 320 · 1946 term · Vinson Court

Decided Feb 3, 1947 · argued Jan 16, 1947

Economic activity · Sufficiency of evidence: typically in the context of a jury's determination of compensation for injury or death

Majority opinion: William Douglas

The voteMajority

9–09 in the majority, 0 in dissent

No dissent (9–0)

Reversed. Ellis won.

What this ruling means

Reversed: the Supreme Court overturned the decision of the Nebraska Supreme Court, and its own ruling ends the case.

Ellis was the petitioner, the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the case. “Won” means the Court gave that side the result it asked for.

From the Supreme Court Database. A justice who agreed with the result but not the reasoning counts in the majority.

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Summary

The opening of the case’s Wikipedia article: what the case was about and what the Court held.

Wikipedia has no article on this case, so there is no summary.

Data notes

The text is Wikipedia’s (CC BY-SA 4.0), matched to the case by its citation, docket number or name and year, and is not checked against the opinion. The site keeps the article’s opening section, ending on its last full sentence. The one-sentence summary under the title is the Decisions list’s: Wikipedia’s own ruling sentence, or, tagged “AI-written”, one Claude wrote from this opening.

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How the justices voted

Each justice who took part, placed by their Martin–Quinn ideology score for the 1946 term. Filled: the 9 in the majority. Hollow: the 0 in dissent. Colour is the party of the president who appointed them.

More liberalMore conservativeMedianBlackMurphyRutledgeDouglasReedVinsonBurtonFrankfurterR. Jackson

Majority(9)

Dissent(0)

  • None.
Data notes

Each justice’s vote and what they wrote are from the justice-centered file of the Supreme Court Database. “Wrote a concurrence” means the justice sided with the majority and wrote separately; a justice who dissented in part is counted on the side they took overall. A justice who wrote nothing is listed as joining their side.

Positions are each justice’s Martin–Quinn score for the case’s term, the same scores as the Ideology page: negative is more liberal, positive more conservative. A score sums up a justice’s votes across the whole term, so it says where they usually sit, not why they voted as they did here. The median line is the Court’s median justice that term.

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The parties

Who brought the case to the Court, who answered it, and how it got there.

Petitioner
EllisEmployee, or job applicant
Respondent
Union Pacific Railroad Co.Railroad
Reached the Court by
Certiorari (the Court chose to hear it)
Why it was taken
Lower courts appeared to disagree
Data notes

The names are the two sides of the case’s title. The description under each is the Supreme Court Database’s category for that party, in its own wording. The petitioner is the side that asked the Supreme Court to review the decision below. “Why it was taken” appears only when the majority opinion says lower courts disagreed or were unsure about the question; reasons that would fit any case (“to resolve the question presented”, “an important question”) are left out.

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The law at issue

The law the Court was asked to apply, and the kind of power it used to decide.

Provision
Federal Employers' Liability, as amended
Kind of law
Federal Statute
Decided by
Statutory construction
Data notes

The Supreme Court Database codes the main constitutional provision, statute or court rule each case turned on, and the basis of the decision: judicial review of a federal or state law, interpreting a statute, supervising the lower courts, and so on. A case can rest on more than one. “Overruled” counts only where the majority opinion says so.

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Timeline

What happened at the Court and how the case got there, newest first.

  1. Feb 3, 1947DecidedDecided · Decided 9–0: reversed. Ellis won.
  2. Jan 16, 1947ArguedArgued · Oral argument before the Court.
  3. Not datedTaken upTaken up · The Supreme Court agreed to hear the case (certiorari). Lower courts appeared to disagree.
  4. Not datedCourt belowCourt below · Decided by the Nebraska Supreme Court: reversed.
  5. Not datedBeganBegan · The case began in the Nebraska trial court.
Data notes

From the Supreme Court Database: the court the case began in, the court whose decision the Supreme Court reviewed and what that court did, how the case came to the Court, and the dates of argument and decision. The database does not date the steps in the lower courts. Court names are the database’s.

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Other decisions on the same issue

61 other argued cases since 1946 on sufficiency of evidence: typically in the context of a jury's determination of compensation for injury or death, newest first.

  1. Dana Roberts, Petitioner v. Sea-Land Services, Inc., et al.566 U.S. 93Mar 20, 2012 · 566 U.S. 93Economic activity8–18–1 band

  2. Pacific Operators Offshore, LLP, et al. v. Luisa L. Valladolid et al565 U.S. 207Jan 11, 2012 · 565 U.S. 207Economic activity9–0Unanimous band

  3. CSX Transportation, Inc., Petitioner v. Robert McBride564 U.S. 685Jun 23, 2011 · 564 U.S. 685Economic activity5–45–4 band

  4. Chad Weisgram, et al. v. Marley Company, et al.528 U.S. 440Feb 22, 2000 · 528 U.S. 440Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  5. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, Department of Labor v. Greenwich Collieries512 U.S. 267Jun 20, 1994 · 512 U.S. 267Economic activity6–36–3 band
  6. Mullins Coal Co., Inc. of Virginia, et al. v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor, et al.484 U.S. 135Dec 14, 1987 · 484 U.S. 135Economic activity6–27–2 band
  7. U.S. Industries/Federal Sheet Metal, Inc., et al., v. Director, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs, United States Department of Labor, et al.455 U.S. 608Mar 23, 1982 · 455 U.S. 608Economic activity6–27–2 band
  8. Norfolk & Western Railway Co. v. Liepelt, Administratrix444 U.S. 490Feb 19, 1980 · 444 U.S. 490Economic activity7–27–2 band
  9. Kelley v. Southern Pacific Co.419 U.S. 318Dec 23, 1974 · 419 U.S. 318Economic activity6–36–3 band
  10. Richardson, Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare v. Perales402 U.S. 389May 3, 1971 · 402 U.S. 389Economic activity6–36–3 band
  11. Grunenthal v. Long Island Rail Road Co.393 U.S. 156Nov 18, 1968 · 393 U.S. 156Economic activity7–27–2 band
  12. Neely v. Martin K. Eby Construction Co., Inc.386 U.S. 317Mar 20, 1967 · 386 U.S. 317Economic activity6–36–3 band
  13. Mercer v. Theriot377 U.S. 152May 4, 1964 · 377 U.S. 152Economic activity8–18–1 band
  14. Fitzgerald, Public Administrator, v. United States Lines Co.374 U.S. 16Jun 10, 1963 · 374 U.S. 16Economic activity8–18–1 band
  15. Shenker v. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co.374 U.S. 1Jun 10, 1963 · 374 U.S. 1Economic activity6–36–3 band
  16. Basham v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.372 U.S. 699Apr 15, 1963 · 372 U.S. 699Economic activity8–18–1 band
  17. Gallick v. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co.372 U.S. 108Feb 18, 1963 · 372 U.S. 108Economic activity6–36–3 band
  18. Salem v. United States Lines Co.370 U.S. 31May 28, 1962 · 370 U.S. 31Economic activity6–18–1 band
  19. Atlantic & Gulf Stevedores, Inc., v. Ellerman Lines, Ltd., et al.369 U.S. 355Apr 2, 1962 · 369 U.S. 355Economic activity6–27–2 band
  20. Smith v. Butler et al., Trustees366 U.S. 161Apr 24, 1961 · 366 U.S. 161Economic activity5–45–4 band
  21. Maynard v. Durham & Southern Railway Co.365 U.S. 160Feb 20, 1961 · 365 U.S. 160Economic activity6–36–3 band
  22. New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad Co. v. Henagan364 U.S. 441Nov 21, 1960 · 364 U.S. 441Economic activity6–36–3 band
  23. Michalic v. Cleveland Tankers, Inc.364 U.S. 325Nov 7, 1960 · 364 U.S. 325Economic activity5–45–4 band
  24. Ward v. Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co.362 U.S. 396Apr 18, 1960 · 362 U.S. 396Economic activity6–36–3 band
  25. Davis v. Virginian Railway Co.361 U.S. 354Jan 25, 1960 · 361 U.S. 354Economic activity6–36–3 band
  26. Inman v. Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Co.361 U.S. 138Dec 14, 1959 · 361 U.S. 138Economic activity5–45–4 band
  27. Sentilles v. Inter-Caribbean Shipping Corp.361 U.S. 107Nov 23, 1959 · 361 U.S. 107Economic activity8–18–1 band
  28. Dick v. New York Life Insurance Co.359 U.S. 437May 18, 1959 · 359 U.S. 437Economic activity6–27–2 band
  29. Glus v. Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal359 U.S. 231Apr 20, 1959 · 359 U.S. 231Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  30. Baker et al. v. Texas & Pacific Railway Co.359 U.S. 227Apr 6, 1959 · 359 U.S. 227Economic activity8–18–1 band
  31. Grimes v. Raymond Concrete Pile Co. et al.356 U.S. 252Apr 7, 1958 · 356 U.S. 252Economic activity6–36–3 band
  32. Weyerhaeuser Steamship Co. v. Nacirema Operating Co., Inc.355 U.S. 563Mar 3, 1958 · 355 U.S. 563Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  33. Arnold v. Panhandle & Santa Fe Railway Co.353 U.S. 360May 13, 1957 · 353 U.S. 360Economic activity5–45–4 band
  34. Thomson v. Texas & Pacific Railway Co.353 U.S. 926Apr 8, 1957 · 353 U.S. 926Economic activity6–36–3 band
  35. Deen v. Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe Railway Co.353 U.S. 925Apr 8, 1957 · 353 U.S. 925Economic activity5–45–4 band
  36. Ferguson v. Moore-Mccormack Lines, Inc.352 U.S. 521Feb 25, 1957 · 352 U.S. 521Economic activity5–36–3 band
  37. Herdman v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.352 U.S. 518Feb 25, 1957 · 352 U.S. 518Economic activity8–18–1 band
  38. Webb v. Illinois Central Railroad Co.352 U.S. 512Feb 25, 1957 · 352 U.S. 512Economic activity6–36–3 band
  39. Rogers v. Missouri Pacific Railroad Co.352 U.S. 500Feb 25, 1957 · 352 U.S. 500Economic activity6–36–3 band
  40. Senko v. Lacrosse Dredging Corp.352 U.S. 370Feb 25, 1957 · 352 U.S. 370Economic activity6–36–3 band
  41. Schulz, Administratrix, v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.350 U.S. 523Apr 9, 1956 · 350 U.S. 523Economic activity5–45–4 band
  42. Shields v. Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co.350 U.S. 318Feb 27, 1956 · 350 U.S. 318Economic activity5–36–3 band
  43. Neese, Administrator, v. Southern Railway Co.350 U.S. 77Nov 21, 1955 · 350 U.S. 77Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  44. United States v. Guy W. Capps, Inc.348 U.S. 296Feb 7, 1955 · 348 U.S. 296Economic activity8–0Unanimous band
  45. McAllister v. United States348 U.S. 19Nov 8, 1954 · 348 U.S. 19Economic activity6–27–2 band

  46. Sacher v. Association of the Bar of the City of New York et al.347 U.S. 388Apr 5, 1954 · 347 U.S. 388Economic activity6–27–2 band
  47. Thompson v. Lawson, Deputy Commissioner of the United States Bureau of Employees Compensation, et al.347 U.S. 334Apr 5, 1954 · 347 U.S. 334Economic activity6–36–3 band
  48. Voris, Deputy Commissioner, v. Eikel et al., Doing Business As Southern Stevedoring & Contracting Co., et al.346 U.S. 328Nov 9, 1953 · 346 U.S. 328Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  49. Stone v. New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Co.344 U.S. 407Feb 2, 1953 · 344 U.S. 407Economic activity6–36–3 band
  50. Dice v. Akron, Canton & Youngstown Railroad Co.342 U.S. 359Feb 4, 1952 · 342 U.S. 359Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  51. Moore, Administratrix, v. Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Co.340 U.S. 573Feb 26, 1951 · 340 U.S. 573Economic activity5–36–3 band
  52. O'Leary, Deputy Commissioner, Fourteenth Compensation District, v. Brown-Pacific-Maxon, Inc. et al.340 U.S. 504Feb 26, 1951 · 340 U.S. 504Economic activity6–36–3 band
  53. Brown v. Western Railway of Alabama338 U.S. 294Nov 21, 1949 · 338 U.S. 294Economic activity6–27–2 band
  54. Reynolds, Administratrix, v. Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co.336 U.S. 207Feb 14, 1949 · 336 U.S. 207Economic activity5–45–4 band
  55. Wilkerson v. McCARTHY et al., Trustees336 U.S. 53Jan 31, 1949 · 336 U.S. 53Economic activity7–27–2 band
  56. Eckenrode, Administratrix, v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.335 U.S. 329Nov 15, 1948 · 335 U.S. 329Economic activity5–45–4 band
  57. Johnson v. United States333 U.S. 46Feb 9, 1948 · 333 U.S. 46Economic activity6–36–3 band
  58. Callen v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co.332 U.S. 625Jan 12, 1948 · 332 U.S. 625Economic activity5–45–4 band
  59. Myers v. Reading Company331 U.S. 477Jun 2, 1947 · 331 U.S. 477Economic activity9–0Unanimous band
  60. Cardillo, Deputy Commissioner, United States Employees' Compensation Commission, v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. et al.330 U.S. 469Mar 10, 1947 · 330 U.S. 469Economic activity7–27–2 band
  61. Jesionowski, Administratrix, v. Boston & Maine Railroad329 U.S. 452Jan 13, 1947 · 329 U.S. 452Economic activity6–36–3 band
Data notes

Every other orally argued case with a clear vote, from the 1946 term on, that the Supreme Court Database files under the same issue as this one. The database gives each case one issue from a list of about 270 (abortion, search and seizure of vehicles, the death penalty, and so on), whatever law it turned on.

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Official record

Read the full opinion on Justia. Case data from the Supreme Court Database, Version 2026 Release 01, through the 2025 term.