Kenneth Synar, Appellant/Cross-Appellee v. Union Pacific Railroad Company, Appellees/Cross-Appellants

**Railroad Worker Wins Safety Violation Case Against Union Pacific** Kenneth Synar, a railroad worker, sued Union Pacific Railroad Company after being wrongfully terminated. Synar claimed the railroad fired him in violation of federal railroad safety laws and was negligent in its treatment of him. The case involved two important federal laws that protect railroad workers: the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) and the Federal Safety Appliance Act (FSAA). A jury initially ruled in Synar's favor on both claims, but the trial court judge threw out the safety violation finding. Synar appealed this decision. The appeals court sided with Synar and the original jury. The court reinstated the jury's finding that Union Pacific violated the Federal Safety Appliance Act and confirmed that the railroad was negligent toward Synar. However, the court made some changes to how damages should be calculated. This case matters for railroad workers because it shows that courts will enforce federal safety laws that protect employees. When railroad companies violate safety regulations or wrongfully terminate workers, employees can successfully fight back through the legal system. The ruling reinforces that both safety violations and wrongful termination are serious matters that courts take seriously, even when employers try to overturn jury decisions.