Raines v. New York Central Railroad

In an action brought under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (45 U.S.C., sec. 51 etseq.), a jury returned a verdict of $750,000 for the plaintiff, Thomas Raines, against the defendant, New York Central Railroad Company. The defendant had acknowledged its liability and trial was had to resolve only the question of damages. On appeal the Appellate Court for the First District reversed and remanded for a new trial (129 Ill.App.2d 294). We granted the petition of the plaintiff for leave to appeal.

On May 18, 1967, the plaintiff, who was 28 years of age, was severely injured while coupling air…