FELA Claim Barred by Prior Release, Appellate Court Rules

DETROIT - An appellate court has ruled that the Federal Employers' Liability Act permits an employee to release his employer from liability for not only known injuries that exist at the time of the settlement, but also for known risks of possible future injuries. Jaqua v. Canadian National Railroad Inc., No. 268506 (Mich. Ct. App.).

On March 6, the Michigan Court of Appeals reversed a trial court's denial of summary disposition to Canadian National Railroad Inc. d/b/a Grand Truck Western Railroad Inc. on a plaintiff's FELA claim. The appellate court found that John D. Jaqua had released his former employer …