U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1996

Steven L. King v. Burlington Northern

Steven L. King v. Burlington Northern
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit · Decided March 29, 1996

Steven L. King v. Burlington Northern

Opinion

No. 95-3401

Steven L. King, * * Appellant, * * Appeal from the United States v. * District Court for the * District of Nebraska.

Burlington Northern Railroad * [UNPUBLISHED] Company, A Corporation, * * Appellee. *

Submitted: March 13, 1996 Filed: March 29, 1996

Before MORRIS SHEPPARD ARNOLD, FLOYD R. GIBSON, and HEANEY, Circuit Judges.

PER CURIAM.

The Appellant, Steven L. King, is employed by the Burlington Northern Railroad Company (Burlington). On June 25, 1991, he suffered a back injury while repairing railroad cars. After undergoing physical therapy, King returned to work on July 11, 1991. Claiming that his employer negligently failed to provide him with sufficient assistance, King brought a suit under the Federal Employers' Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. § 51 (FELA) to recover damages. Burlington responded that King failed to work safely by failing to seek help from co-workers, by failing to wait for assistance, and by failing to complain about his inability to accomplish his tasks. The case was tried to a jury, and a verdict was returned in favor of the defendant.

On appeal, King argues that the district court failed to properly instruct the jury with respect to the specific duties imposed upon a railroad company by FELA. We will not disturb the verdict so long as the charge, when viewed as a whole, fairly and adequately reflects the applicable law. Resolution Trust Corp. v. Eason, 17 F.3d 1126, 1132 (8th Cir. 1994). After a careful examination of the challenged charges, we hold that they are consistent with Eighth Circuit pattern jury instructions, see Manual of Model Civil Jury Instructions—Eighth Circuit (1995), and adequately state the defendant's duties under federal law.

Therefore, we affirm.

A true copy.

Attest:

CLERK, U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, EIGHTH CIRCUIT.

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