A jury has awarded $900,000 to an ex train conductor who sued Union Pacific after suffering injuries in a 2010 derailment in Columbus.
It took the jury in Douglas County more than four hours to reach their verdict in favor of 68 year old Loren Sweley of North Platte.
The train was traveling at about 50 mph on a foggy night in January 2010 when it hit a bulldozer doing work on the unlighted track. There was no time to slow or stop the train, as it can take a mile of more to stop a train with 100 cars. Around 22 cars of the train were derailed and Sweley and the engineer were trapped in the wreckage and had to be cut free.
Sweley suffered severe spinal injuries which needed extensive surgery to fuse some of the vertebrae. He was left unable to work again. The engineer reached a settlement with the company.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a train accident in Omaha, please call the Omaha auto accident attorneys of Harris & Associates at (402) 397-1200 or contact us online today. We can help you review your compensation options and ensure you are receiving the compensation you deserve.
