Montana Man Awarded $2.1M in Lawsuit Against BNSF

A federal court jury has awarded a Montana man more than $2.1 million in a wrongful termination lawsuit against BNSF Railway following an on-the-job injury.

Zachary Wooten, of Columbia Falls, sued BNSF alleging the company violated the Federal Rail Safety Act after he was injured in the Whitefish rail yard in July 2015.

BNSF officials tell the Flathead Beacon that they are disappointed in the jury’s decision and are looking at options to appeal the decision.

According to court documents, Wooten was working as a conductor in the Whitefish rail yard when he suffered severe injuries to his wrist and arm.

The jury on Nov. 5 awarded Wooten for lost wages, pain and suffering and punitive damages after an 11-day trial in Missoula.