A Yellowstone County jury has awarded a Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway employee $2 million in damages.

Chad Silliker, who continues to work as an engineer for the railroad, was awarded the amount after a five-day trial before District Judge Gregory Todd. The verdict was announced late Friday.

Silliker was working as an engineer in Whitefish when he was injured on Sept. 30, 2001. Silliker tripped on a radio handset cord in the locomotive and fell down three steps, according to his attorney, Russell Yerger.

Silliker suffered back injuries that required surgery, Yerger said, and he continues to suffer chronic pain.

Before trial, Todd ruled that the railroad could not argue that Silliker contributed to his injury because the railroad had inadvertently thrown away the handset and cord.

Yerger said the remaining issue at trial was how much to award Silliker for his injuries. The plaintiffs did not recommend an amount, Yerger said.

Silliker probably will be medically discharged from his job in the future, Yerger said, but the most significant issue for the jury to decide was the pain, suffering and diminished quality of life Silliker suffers as a result of the injury.

In response, Gus Melonas, BNSF spokesman said, "We are very disappointed at this outcome, and we will look to what post-trial motions or other remedies may be appropriate."