A SWITCHMAN-TRAINEE who sustained neck and back injuries when the locomotive in which he was riding in struck another locomotive was awarded $1,507,000 in damages by a Louisiana judge on Jan. 7, reduced to $1,280,050 for his percentage of fault.
Brandon Williams, 25, sued the city of New Orleans under the Federal Iimploycr's Liability Act, claiming that the conductor and engineer had fallen asleep while operating the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad locomotive.
Williams claimed his neck and back injuries and a cervical fusion resulled in 10% whole-body impairment and forced him to quit his job.
The parties stipulated that Williams was 15% at fault because he should have maintained a proper lookout. Williams v. City oJ New Orleans, 2000-11384 (Orleans Parish, La., Dist. Ct.).
PLAINTIFF'S ATTORNEYS: Art Sadin, Provost & Umphrey Law Firm, Friendswood, Texas; James Dugan, Gauthier, Downing, LaBarre, Dean & Sdzer, Metairie, La.; James Williams, Houghtaiing & Williams, Metairie
DEFENSE ATTORNEYS: Lawrence Ernst and Greg LaCour, Christovich 8r Kearney, New Orleans