{"argument_date":"2011-11-09T00:00:00Z","arguments":[{"argument_date":"2011-11-09T00:00:00Z","heading":"What happened at the argument","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_transcript_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","paragraphs":["Ms. Smith asserted the LIA does not cover broader regulatory authority.","Ms. Harrington urged the Court to separate field and conflict preemption.","Mr. Frederick stated Congress intended the LIA for locomotive safety in use.","Mr. Hacker argued the DOT holds exclusive authority over locomotive design."],"reargument":false,"sequence":1,"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 7-13"}]}],"caption":"Kurns v. Railroad Friction Products Corp.","case_history":[{"changed_at":"2026-08-29T20:06:35.680297Z","explanation":"An official oral-argument transcript was verified.","status":"argued"}],"case_status":"argued","dek":"the sides that brought the case seek dismissal of state asbestos claims. the opposing sides seek to keep those claims alive.","dek_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"}],"dispositions":[],"latest_court_document_date":"2011-11-09T00:00:00Z","maturity":"official_transcript","official_detail_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcript/2011","official_disposition_urls":[],"official_docket_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/docket/docketfiles/html/public/10-879.html","primary_docket":"10-879","revisions":[{"correction_note":"Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.","created_at":"2026-08-30T23:40:21.289192Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":1},{"correction_note":"Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.","created_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z","maturity":"official_transcript","revision_number":2}],"schema_version":"1.1","sections":[{"heading":"What this case is about","paragraphs":["The case tests if federal locomotive rules block state asbestos claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"}]},{"heading":"How the case got here","paragraphs":["The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on November 9, 2011."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"}]},{"heading":"What each side wants","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case want the state claims dismissed.","the opposing sides want the state claims to continue."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"}]},{"heading":"What each side says","paragraphs":["the sides that brought the case argue federal law preempts state claims.","the opposing sides argue federal law does not preempt state claims."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"}]},{"heading":"What the justices asked","paragraphs":["Chief Justice Roberts asked if the argument depends on asbestos staying inside.","Justice Sotomayor asked how the ICC regulated yard lights in 1916."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 7-13"}]},{"heading":"Why it matters","paragraphs":["The outcome defines the scope of federal regulatory power. It determines which law governs workplace safety disputes. It shapes future litigation over industrial materials."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"}]},{"heading":"What happens next","paragraphs":["This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity."],"sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 33-41","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 33-41"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 7-17","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 7-17"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 17-19","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 17-19"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 49-9","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 4, lines 49-9"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 33-35","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 33-35"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 39-45","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 5, lines 39-45"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 11-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 11-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 31-37","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 31-37"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 41-43","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 6, lines 41-43"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 27-33","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 7, lines 27-33"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 19-21","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 19-21"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 27-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 27-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 7-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 8, lines 7-13"}]}],"slug":"2011-10-879-kurns-v-railroad-friction-products-corp","term":"2011","title":"Does federal law block state asbestos claims?","title_sources":[{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 16, lines 51-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 16, lines 51-31"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 23, lines 51-13","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 23, lines 51-13"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 27, lines 9-47","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 27, lines 9-47"},{"evidence_type":"Transcript","label":"Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 3, lines 19-31","official_url":"https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/argument_transcripts/2011/10-879.pdf","page_label":"file page 3, lines 19-31"}],"topics":[],"undated_disposition_date_fallback":null,"updated_at":"2026-09-05T03:22:24Z"}