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Friday, March 29, 2024

Man alleges injuries after falling in hole near railroad

BENTON — An Illinois man is suing his former employer and a property owner, claiming he suffered permanent injuries when he fell into a hole while working as a railroad conductor.

Patrick Houser filed the suit Jan. 8 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against road-building company CCI Properties LLC and Illinois Central Railroad Company, for which he worked as a conductor.

On Feb. 11, 2014, Houser was engaged in his job of transporting rail cars for the railroad at CCI's Effingham facility when he allegedly fell into a hole on the property, the lawsuit alleges.

He claims his injuries are the result of negligence on the part of the defendants, including failure to furnish the plaintiff with a safe place to work; failure to inspect the track, roadbed and work surfaces for holes and debris; failure to warn the plaintiff that a hole existed near the train tracks; and failure to inspect the track and roadbed following floods, severe storms and washouts, according to Houser's lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges the plaintiff suffered severe and permanent injuries that have led to pain, lost wages and an impairment of his future earning capacity. He has ongoing medical expenses and sustained an aggravation of a pre-existing condition, the suit alleges.

The plaintiff seeks at least $75,000 against both defendants plus court costs, pre-judgment interest and a trial by jury. He is represented by Robert P. Marcus of Kujawski Marcus LLC of O'Fallon.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 16-cv-0024

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