The plaintiffs, employees of U.S. Steel Mining Company, sued for workers' compensation benefits. The case was originally stayed by the trial court but, after several years without activity, was dismissed for want of prosecution. The employees filed a motion for relief from dismissal, which the trial court granted.
U.S. Steel Mining Company petitioned the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals for a writ of mandamus to overturn the trial court's decision. The company argued that the trial court overstepped its authority by granting the motion for relief from dismissal. Alabama's Court of Civil Appeals upheld the trial court's decision to maintain the grant of relief to the employees. The court determined the dismissal of the case was void due to lack of due process.
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