October 14, 2000 - $46 Million Awarded In Norfolk Southern Crash. Verdict Is Largest In Virginia's History In A Personal Injury Case
$46 million was awarded by Northern Virginia jurors against Norfolk Southern Corp. for a 1997 train derailment, making it the biggest verdict ever in a Virginia personal injury
case.
The verdict came from a crash in which a Norfolk Southern train barreled off the tracks and into a gas station in Gainesville, Va., near Manassas, and smashed through an office where the manager was working. The manager, who suffered severe injuries, including brain damage, could get as much as $60 million with interest. He is divorced and has three daughters, ages 5, 7 and 9.
Federal investigators found that the accident resulted from a switch accidentally left open by a Norfolk Southern crewmen two hours before the accident.
During a course of the trial Norfolk offered to settle with the plaintiff for $1 million and when the $46 million verdict came, the company called it "outrageous." Norfolk said it would move for a new trial unless the trial judge lowers the damages amount.
"There is no justification for it," said Wiley F. Mitchell Jr., the company's senior general counsel. "It is contrary to the evidence in the case. We're confident the Virginia courts will not let it stand." "This verdict is so far out of line that the only way to cure it is to get a new trial," he added.
However, the verdict did not hurt Norfolk's stock, since even if the verdict is upheld on appeal, it would not seriously affect the railroad that makes $5 billion each year.
<< back
The Pistotnik Law Offices handles all personal injury cases including, but not limited to:Large truck accidents, car accidents, injury cases, injury victims, reckless driving, negligence, torts, car accident victims, damages, wrongful death, vehicle accidents, pedestrians, cyclists, motorcycle accidents, third party lawsuits, damaged cars, insurance settlements, auto accidents, medical bills, permanent injury, rear-end collisions, liability insurance, property damage, minor injuries, insurance coverage, truck accident, tractor-trailer accidents, paralysis, paralyzed, eaglemed, Lifeflight, Wesley Medical Center, Via Christi, St. Francis hospital.
The Pistotnik Law Offices serves the following areas: Kansas, Southern Kansas, Wichita, Barton County, Butler County, Ellis County, Ford County, Abilene, Colby, Dodge City, Garden City, Goodland, Hays, Hutchinson, Larned, Liberal, Pratt, Russell, Salina, Sedgwick, Hodgemen County, Kiowa County, Meade County, Gray County, Haskell County, Finney County, Seward County, Hamilton County, Scott County, Gove County, Logan County, Edwards County, Pawnee County, Stafford County, Reno County, Harvey County, Marion County, Chase County, & Lyon County
The legal information offered by The Pistotnik Law Offices and contained herein, regarding Kansas legal statutes and Kansas claimants' rights, is general in scope. No legal attorney / client relationship with our attorneys is hereby formed nor is the information herein intended as formal legal advice. Please contact a Kansas lawyer regarding your specific inquiry.See Terms of Use.
|
