Ramsey v. Burlington N. & Santa Fe Ry. Co.
Missouri Court of Appeals
130 S.W.3d 646 (2004)
- Written by Serena Lipski, JD
Facts
Thomas Ramsey (plaintiff) sued the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) (defendant) under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act. Following his injury, Ramsey received disability benefits from BNSF. At his deposition, Ramsey testified that his disability benefits did not prevent him from working and that he had been looking for a job, and Ramsey further testified that he planned to do volunteer work and that doing so would not affect his disability benefits. During trial, the court admitted evidence of Ramsey’s recent wages from BNSF and the federal and state taxes he had paid, but the court excluded evidence of the railroad retirement taxes Ramsey paid and Ramsey’s BNSF disability benefits. No statements regarding Ramsey’s disability benefits or his interest in future volunteer work were presented at trial. In Ramsey’s wage-loss computation, railroad retirement taxes were included. Following trial, BNSF moved for a directed verdict, and the court denied the motion. The jury awarded Ramsey $1.4 million. BNSF appealed.
Rule of Law
Issue
Holding and Reasoning (Norton, J.)
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