COURTS-VALIDITY OF CONTRACTS RESTRICTING VENUE IN ACTIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY ACT

Authors

John C. Walker S. Ed., University of Michigan Law SchoolFollow

Abstract

Petitioner suffered injuries in the course of his duties as an employee of respondent railroad. Subsequently, respondent advanced money to petitioner and the latter agreed in writing that if his claim could not be settled he would sue only in the county or district where he resided at the time of the injury, or in the county or district where the injury was sustained. This agreement restricted petitioner's choice of venue to either a state or federal court sitting in Michigan. Ignoring the contract, petitioner sued in an Illinois court. Respondent then brought suit in the Michigan courts to enjoin the Illinois proceeding and the injunction was granted. On certiorari, held, reversed. The contract restricting venue was void since it conflicted with the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of the Federal Employers' Liability Act. Boyd v. Grand Trunk Western Railroad Company, (U.S. 1949) 70 S.Ct. 26.

Recommended Citation

John C. Walker S. Ed., COURTS-VALIDITY OF CONTRACTS RESTRICTING VENUE IN ACTIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY ACT, 48 Mich. L. Rev. 527 (1950).
Available at: https://repository.law.umich.edu/mlr/vol48/iss4/14