Judge cuts jury’s $4M award to man who lost leg after chasing Metro Transit bus

A Hennepin County judge, citing a state-imposed monetary limit, has slashed a jury’s award of more than $4 million to a man who was run over by a departing Metro Transit bus as he was trying to get it to stop.

Jurors on Oct. 9 found Metro Transit largely liable for the injuries in February 2023 to Christopher Lee Swickard, 52, of Bloomington on eastbound Lake Street near 3rd Avenue S. The injuries to Swickard’s left leg required amputation just below the knee.

The jury calculated total damages at $5.33 million but determined that Metro Transit and its driver were responsible for 80% of the incident, while Swickard’s actions made him responsible for 20%. That left him with an award of $4.26 million.

Last week, Judge Laura Thomas ruled that Swickard can receive no more than $500,000. Thomas said the amount is the most allowed by law in most cases for claims made against cities, counties and other public entities. The limit is intended to protect the financial well-being of municipalities.

A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Council, the agency in charge of Metro Transit, said Tuesday that its legal team is reviewing any decision to appeal the judgment.

Cole Dixon, one of Swickard’s attorneys, said shortly after the jury’s verdict that Metro Transit denied liability throughout the course of the litigation and never offered to reach an out-of-court settlement with Swickard.

The suit alleged the probationary bus driver, Said Muse, “negligently pulled from the bus stop when it was unsafe to do so, causing [Swickard] to fall to the ground, where he was run over … sustaining injuries to his left leg.”

Cole and co-counsel Aaron Eken said in a post-verdict statement that as Swickard “approached the bus, the bus driver closed the doors and pulled away from the curb. Christopher tapped on the side of the bus as it drove away and was knocked down.”

Muse resigned soon after the incident, according to court documents.

In his own court filing, Muse defended his actions and blamed Swickard for his injuries “due to [his] own neglect. He shouldn’t run after a moving bus.”