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Sarah N. Dimmich

Partner
765.428.7053

Sarah has been defending railroad operators in difficult disputes for more than 10 years.  Described by a national railroad client as a “skilled and talented attorney that gets outstanding results,” Sarah has repeatedly prevailed as a first-chair trial lawyer in litigation related to rail accident and employee injury claims.

Sarah’s railroad clients have included major national operators and several Midwest short-line rail companies.  Her work centers on defense against claims resulting from fire, crossing accidents, trespasser injuries, and fatalities in both state and federal court.  She also defends railroads in Federal Employers’ Liability Act matters and has successfully handled cases involving admission of liability and allegations of toxic exposure.

Described by a national railroad client as a “skilled and talented attorney that gets outstanding results”

For national operator CSX Transportation, Inc., Sarah leads defense of all accident and exposure litigation matters in the state of Indiana and a portion of Illinois.  She is the only outside attorney with sole responsibility for CSXT’s Claims Department matters in a given state.

Sarah has been commended for her ability to work effectively with railroad operator client teams including in-house attorneys, risk directors, and claims managers.  Railroad executives have noted her “incredible energy”, ability to “juggle a number of matters at one time”, and commented that their cases “are in excellent hands with Sarah.”  She has been selected to the Indiana Rising Stars Super Lawyers list for the past four years.

In addition to her railroad litigation practice, Sarah has also contributed to the firm’s work defending hospital and higher education clients in medical malpractice cases.

She has served on the board of several Lafayette area nonprofits and has prior experience in public service, including as pro tem judge for the Tippecanoe County Circuit Court, and clerk to the Indiana Supreme Court.

  • Indiana University School of Law, J.D., cum laude
    • Executive articles editor, Indiana Law Review
    • Member, Phi Beta Kappa and Dean’s Tutorial Society
  • Purdue University, B.S., with highest distinction
  • Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Defense Trial Counsel of Indiana
  • American Bar Association
  • Indiana State Bar Association
  • Tippecanoe County Bar Association
  • Selected to the Indiana Rising Stars Super Lawyers list (2014-2017)
  • Selected to the Indiana Bar Association’s Leadership Development Academy (2015)

Born and raised on a farm in Tippecanoe County, community involvement has long been part of Sarah’s nature.  Her roles have included the following:

  • Board of directors and OUTfest planning committee member, Pride Lafayette
  • Secretary, Tippecanoe County Historical Association
  • Steering Committee Member, Greater Lafayette Commerce’s Diversity Round Table

Lead defense counsel for CSX in consolidated fire/accident cases involving more than $135 million in claims, dozens of witnesses and more than 15 experts

For senior living health services nonprofit and physician, secured defense verdict in wrongful death/medical malpractice jury trial in state superior court

Obtained two defense verdicts in federal court for national railroad operator in complex admitted-liability FELA jury trial

On behalf of Purdue University, veterinary providers and student, secured defense verdict in veterinary malpractice case

Prevailed on behalf of plaintiff in breach of contract case; jury awarded business owner client 100% of requested damages

  • Smith v. Purdue University et al., Tippecanoe County Circuit Court, the Honorable Donald L. Daniel presiding. Sarah represented Purdue University, two University veterinarians and a Purdue veterinary student in a case alleging that Defendants’ negligence resulted in the death of Plaintiff’s horse. Defense verdict.
  • DeHahn v. CSX Transportation, Tippecanoe County Circuit Court, the Honorable Donald L. Daniel presiding. Sarah represented CSX Transportation (“CSXT”) in a case filed under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, 45 U.S.C. § 51 et seq., (“FELA”) alleging personal injury. Plaintiff obtained a verdict but was assigned 75% of the fault for the incident.
  • Gibson v. CSXT, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, the Honorable Richard L. Young, Chief Judge, presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in a FELA case. Defense verdict.
  • Valentine v. CSXT, United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, the Honorable Jane Magnus-Stinson presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in a FELA case. Defense verdict.
  • Thompson v. CSXT, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, the Honorable Jon DeGuilio presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in a FELA case. Defense verdict.
  • Lowrance v. CSXT, Vanderburgh County Circuit Court, the Honorable Carl A. Heldt presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in a FELA case. $1.3 million dollar Plaintiff’s verdict.
  • Zeigler v. Sisters of St. Francis Health Services, Inc. et al., Montgomery County Superior Court 2, the Honorable John Rader, Special Judge, presiding. Sarah represented the Sisters and Dr. Jude Momodu in a wrongful death action. Defense verdicts.
  • Howell v. CSXT, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, the Honorable Joseph S. Van Bokkelen presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in a FELA case. Defense verdict.
  • Knipp v. CSXT, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, the Honorable Robert Miller presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in an admitted-liability FELA case. Defense verdict.
  • Awards Unlimited v. Rohrman Auto Group, Tippecanoe County Circuit Court, the Honorable Thomas Busch presiding. Sarah represented the Plaintiff, Awards Unlimited, in a breach of contract case. The jury awarded Plaintiff 100% of her requested damages.
  • Kelham v. CSXT, United States District Court, Northern District of Indiana, the Honorable Andrew Rodovich presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in an admitted-liability FELA case. Defense verdict.
  • Kirlin v. CSXT, Marion County, Indiana, the Honorable David Dryer presiding. Sarah represented CSXT in a FELA case. Plaintiff asked the jury in closing for $1.6M. Defense Verdict.