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Torts Keyed to Goldberg
Consolidated Rail Corp. v. Gottshall
Facts
James Gottshall (plaintiff) sued his employer, Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail) (defendant), under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) after Gottshall developed severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder following an episode in which a coworker died of a heart attack. Alan Carlisle (plaintiff) also sued Conrail under FELA after suffering from a nervous breakdown and depression following a period in which Carlisle was subjected to long working hours in a stressful environment.A jury found in Carlisle’s favor. On appeal, the Third Circuit affirmed, concluding that Carlisle’s injury was genuine and foreseeable and that Conrail’s stressful work environment constituted a breach of its duty to maintain a safe workplace. Conrail petitioned the Supreme Court for certiorari regarding both decisions of the Third Circuit.
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