Trial Activity

Santiago Valdez vs. Union Pacific Railroad Company, Cause No. 27052, in the 83rd Judicial District Court of Val Verde County, Texas, Judge Carl Pendergrass presiding.

Partner Jaime A. Saenz and associate Norton A. (Trey) Colvin defended Union Pacific Railroad Company in a Federal Employers Liability Act ("FELA") case involving a former railroad employee allegedly injured on the job when his track maintenance machinery was impacted by another piece of on-track machinery operated by a fellow employee. The Plaintiff alleged that his lumbar and cervical spine was injured as a result of the impact. There was no evidence of contributory negligence on the part of the Plaintiff. Trial on the merits started began May 17 , 2010 and concluded May 19, 2010. After deliberating for several hours, the jury returned a verdict for the Plaintiff with damages assessed in the amount of $350,000.00. The amount of the verdict was less than the Plaintiff's final settlement demand before verdict.