A man claims he suffered severe injuries to his spine following a career for a railroad company.
Richard Flynn filed a lawsuit Feb. 18 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against BNSF Railway Company.
In his complaint, Flynn alleges he worked as a maintenance-of-way employee for BNSF. During his employment, Flynn worked on various tools that exposed him to shock, jarring, vibration and awkward postures, according to the complaint. As a result, Flynn suffered spinal and hip degeneration, endured pain and mental anguish and underwent medical treatment, the suit states. He also lost wages, incurred medical costs and experienced an impaired ability to work and to enjoy his normal pursuits of life, the complaint says.
Flynn blames BNSF for causing his injuries, saying it negligently failed to provide him with a safe place to work, failed to provide safe conditions for work, failed to provide safe methods of work, failed to enact a comprehensive ergonomics program, failed to provide reasonably safe engines or tools and failed to provide adequate protection from exposure to cumulative trauma, among other negligent actions.
Flynn is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs. He is being represented by Steven L. Groves of Holland, Groves, Schneller and Stolze in St. Louis.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-157.