A former Norfolk Southern Railway Company employee has filed suit against the company, alleging he was injured because of the nature of his work.
Jared S. Heichelbech claims he was subjected to repetitive traumas while working for the railroad from 1996 until this year.
He received severe and permanent injuries to his wrists and hands, suffered great pain and mental anguish and lost money and earnings that he would have been entitled to, according to the complaint filed April 4 in Madison County Circuit Court.
Heichelbech's earning capacity has been greatly diminished and he incurred medical costs, the suit states.
Norfolk was negligent by failing to provide safe tools, personal protective equipment, and sufficient supervision and by failing to warn Heichelbech of reasonably foreseeable hazardous conditions, according to the complaint.
The company also allowed unsafe to become standard, assigned Heichelbech work it knew would result in injury, assigned Heichelbech duties it knew were beyond his physical capacity, failed to provide a safe place to work, failed to provide safe work methods and failed to furnish sufficient manpower, the suit states.
Heichelbech is seeking a judgment in excess of $50,000, plus costs.
He is represented by Gregory M. Tobin of Pratt and Tobin in East Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-336.
Norfolk Southern worker claims repetitive traumas in suit
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