BNSF Worker’s Trial Win in Firing Over Seat Belt Safety Revived

BNSF Railway Co. must pay a track inspector in Iowa $500,000 for terminating him for voicing his concern that wearing a seat belt while operating a pickup truck on railroad tracks presents a safety hazard, the Eighth Circuit ruled Thursday.

The decision restores a jury verdict in favor of Daniel Monohon under the Federal Railroad Safety Act.

Monohon didn’t need to show his safety concern was “objectively reasonable” to prove retaliation under the FRSA, only that he raised his concern in “good faith,” the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit said.

He also may be entitled to reinstatement ...