The US Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the causation standard for railroad negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act is the same as that for employee contributory negligence under the Act. In Norfolk Southern v. Sorrell, an employee of the railroad sued for injuries suffered and was awarded $1.5 million in damages. The railroad disputed jury instructions used at trial, arguing that the standard used to determine the railroad's negligence was "much more exacting" than the standard used for employee contributory negligence. The Supreme Court vacated the state appeals court decision and remanded the case for further proceedings. |
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