Priestly v. Fowler (redirected from Priestly vs. Fowler)

Priestly v. Fowler

An 1837 court case in the United Kingdom holding that an employer is not responsible for on-the-job injuries to its employees if the employer has taken due care to ensure safety. The case came about after a wagon owned by Fowler collapsed and severely injured his servant, Priestly, while they were transporting Fowler's mutton to sell. The initial jury verdict held Fowler was responsible for injury and awarded Priestly 100 pounds. The case was overturned on appeal; it was held that an employer is not responsible to ensure higher safety standards for an employee than he ensures for himself. This precedent remained until 1948.