Pizitz v. Yeldell

Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Co. v. Yeldell was a U.S. Supreme Court Case involving the Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Company. It was argued on February 25 and February 28, 1927, and decided on April 11, 1927.

The case involved a wrongful death allegation against the dry goods company due to apparent negligent operation of a customer elevator by an employee. The victim, Carrie Yeldell, was caught between the elevator shaft and the cab when the elevator started suddenly. The elevator operator failed to close the inside door before starting the elevator. The decision, read by Supreme Court Justice Harlan Stone, upheld that the Homicide Act of Alabama, §5696, Code of 1923, did not violate the Fourteenth Amendment. Said Homicide Act allowed punitive damages against employers for deaths caused by the negligence of employees.

The Supreme Court also affirmed the original verdict of $9,500 in damages as returned by a jury.

References

• Louis Pizitz Dry Goods Co. v. Yeldell, 274 U.S. 112 (1927) - accessed August 29, 2022
• "Alabama Homicide Act is Held Valid by High Court". (April 11, 1927). The Decatur Daily.