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NEW JERSEY FEDERAL COURT GRANTS JUDGMENT ON THE PLEADINGS ON RAIL YARD EMPLOYEE’S NEGLIGENCE CLAIM, ALLOWS FELA CLAIM TO PROCEED

An employee of a company that provides intermodal services at rail yards was severely injured while unlocking boxcars and subsequently filed suit against his employer and others seeking damages under the Federal Employment Liability Act (“FELA”) and for common law negligence.  His employer moved for judgment on the pleadings arguing that (1) it is not subject to the FELA and therefore...

California Federal Court Allows Plaintiffs To Reassert Products Liability Claims Despite Conflicting Admission

In 2011, a U.S. marine died from injuries sustained in a helicopter accident allegedly caused by faulty wiring to the landing gear.  The marine’s family brought various claims against numerous defendants, including a company responsible for maintaining the helicopter.  The complaint included ordinary negligence claims as well as product liability claims based on manufacturing and...

West Virginia Federal Court Holds FRSA Retaliation Claim Not Affected By Arbitration Pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreement

A railroad terminated a conductor after determining he was partially responsible for a train derailment.  The conductor appealed his termination pursuant to the arbitration provisions in his collective bargaining agreement and the Railroad Labor Act (“RLA”).  He separately filed an administrative complaint for retaliation under the Federal Railroad Safety Act (“FRSA”), alleging he was...

USA Today Report Critical of NTSB Investigations of Small Plane and Helicopter Crashes

A USA Today report published this week attributes “shortcomings” in NTSB investigations of private plane and helicopter crashes with compounding the number of deaths in general aviation incidents (reportedly nearly 45,000 since 1964 and roughly nine times greater than the number of deaths in passenger airline crashes).  According to the report, investigators “repeatedly overlooked...

Mining Company Likely Precluded from Litigating Gas Pipeline’s Negligence Claims Against It After Not Contesting Administrative Agency’s Allegations

Following damage to a gas pipeline in Floyd County, Kentucky, the owner of the pipeline brought suit against a mining company alleging that its mining and reclamation activity caused the landslide that damaged the pipeline.  While the case was ongoing in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the Kentucky Division of Mine Reclamation and Enforcement issued the...

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