In a wrongful death action brought by a railroad worker's widow, what is a key factor the court must consider?

In a wrongful death action, a critical element for the court to consider is whether there is substantial evidence in the record to support the verdict. This stems from the legal principle that the court's decision must be grounded in adequate proof that substantiates the claims made by the plaintiff. In evaluating a wrongful death claim, which involves determining liability and damages, the court assesses the evidence presented at trial, looking for sufficient facts that indicate the railroad's negligence contributed to the worker's death.

The existence of substantial evidence ensures that the verdict is not merely a product of speculation but is rather based on credible testimony, documentation, or other forms of proof that uphold the widow's claims. This principle safeguards the integrity of the judicial process, ensuring that outcomes hinge on a firm factual basis, rather than arbitrary decisions.

In contrast, factors like the financial status of the widow or the number of witnesses called, while they might play a role in the overall context of the case, do not directly impact the court’s core function of determining whether the evidence substantively supports the claims against the railroad. The question of whether the railroad acted in good faith is also relevant but is not the primary focus in terms of evaluating the sufficiency of evidence for a wrongful death claim.