Ruth
Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth will hold a pre-trial conference tomorrow in a FELA case that saw a plaintiff's verdict two years ago.
Ruth previously granted a request by both plaintiff Phillip Charles Roberts and defendant Union Pacific Railroad Company to set aside the $250,000 Roberts won after finding the jury awarded the amount contrary to the evidence in the case.
The case is now set for trial May 16 at 9 a.m.
The pre-trial will start tomorrow at 9:30 a.m.
The jury in the August 2009 trial of the suit returned a verdict of $500,000 in Roberts' favor.
However, the jury also found that Roberts was 50 percent liable for injuries he suffered when he tripped over a cable while working for the defendant along tracks in Wood River.
The award was reduced by half.
Both parties asked Ruth to set aside the damages amount.
The judge granted the moves in December 2009.
Thomas Jones and Harlan Harla represent the railroad.
Daniel Francis represents the plaintiff.
The case is Madison case number 07-L-906.