The court's holding and decision will be displayed here.

This section contains the nature of the case and procedural background.

Wilkerson (P) was taking a shortcut over a pit when he slipped and suffered injuries. The railroad (D) had taken measures to prevent people from using this shortcut by chaining off the pit. P sued D for his injuries under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. The trial court directed a verdict for D, stating that there was no evidence of D's negligence to give to the jury. This was apparently due to poor performance by P's attorney. P appealed. The Utah Supreme Court affirmed. The United States Supreme Court then granted certiorari.

The legal issues presented in this case will be displayed here.

Legal analysis from Dean's Law Dictionary will be displayed here.