Southern Railway Co. v. Minor

Beasley, Judge.

Defendant Southern Railway appeals a FELA judgment entered on a jury verdict for plaintiff Minor in the amount of $275,000. Four grounds of error are asserted: 1) charging plaintiff’s requested instruction on assumption of the risk; 2) overruling defendant’s objections to a doctor’s deposition; 3) striking a juror for cause; 4) denying defendant’s motion for new trial predicated on excessive damages awarded by the jury.

On July 6, 1983, Minor was working as a “crankhand” for Southern Railway. He had to bend over in order to make curve elevation readings. He heard his supervisor…