Hardlannert v. Illinois Central Railroad

The plaintiff, William Hardlannert, filed this suit under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) (45 U.S.C. §§51 through 60 (2000)) and the Federal Safety Appliance Act (FSAA) (49 U.S.C. §20301 et seq. (2000)) after he sustained a back injury while working on defendant Illinois Central Railroad Company’s switching tracks. Hardlannert, a railroad conductor, injured his back while attempting to open an allegedly defective train knuckle, the device that allows rail-cars to be coupled. Following discovery, Hardlannert moved for partial summary judgment on liability under the FSAA; Judge…