Damages trial in FELA case against Union Pacific pushed off

A damages trial in a Federal Employer's Liability Act case against Union Pacific Railroad Company that was set for Monday has been continued.

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth signed an order May 11 continuing the trial date after plaintiff Phillip Charles Roberts and Union Pacific agreed to push off the date.

Roberts won $250,000 of a $500,000 verdict entered against the railroad in 2009.

However, both parties asked Ruth to set aside the jury's award.

Roberts sued Union Pacific after tripping over an exposed wire along the railroad tracks in Wood River.

The jury in the suit's August 2009 trial found in Roberts' favor but reduced the Arkansas native's award by half deeming him to be 50 percent liable for his injuries.

The suit's trial had been set to start Monday at 9 a.m.

According to Ruth's order, the parties are to confer and notify the court of a new trial date.

Daniel Francis represents Roberts.

Thomas Jones and Harlan Harla represent Union Pacific.

The case is Madison case number 07-L-906.