In October, a Los Angeles County Superior Court jury verdict resulted in the largest award to a plaintiff under the federal law that covers railroad workers injured on the job.

This is an important case because railroads and their employees are not covered by state workers’ compensation laws that generally govern most other on the job injuries.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Eric Doi worked for Union Pacific Railroad last year when a work-related car accident caused by a co-worker’s negligence left him a quadriplegic.

He now lives with his parents and requires round-the-clock care and physical rehabilitation.

At the end of November, a judge approved the $48 million jury award.