Opinion ID: 888197
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The Validity of the Release With Respect to the Alternative FELA Claim and Count V

Text: ¶39 The District Court concluded that the FELA release executed by Sinclair barred his alternative FELA claims as well as his additional claims stated in Count V. Sinclair argues that the District Court erred in granting summary judgment to BNSF and concluding that the release barred his alternative FELA claim. He argues that he added this claim after BNSF filed its initial motion to dismiss. In the event his state law claims were dismissed, he had argued that he should be allowed to pursue this alternative FELA claim and seek a remedy for BNSF's fraudulent conduct. ¶40 Sinclair's alternative claim under FELA alleged that BNSF had assigned him to work in unsafe working conditions with unsafe equipment, including but not limited to the FL-80 truck. See ¶ 10. Sinclair further alleged that BNSF's overall negligence caused his spinal and related general damages. Clearly, the allegations of Sinclair's alternative claim are precisely in the nature of the claims released (see ¶ 3); yet, Sinclair does not seek in either his alternative FELA claim or Count V to set aside this release. For the reasons noted above, we conclude he cannot both affirm the release and seek damages anew for injuries stemming from the same conduct already released. We therefore affirm the District Court on this issue.