A railroad worker alleges he suffered severe facial injuries after he was struck in the head by a sledgehammer while working.
Douglas Horton filed a lawsuit March 10 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis.
According to the complaint, Horton was working for the defendant on Sept. 13, 2011, near East St. Louis when he was struck in the face by a sledgehammer.
Because of the incident, Horton sustained severe and permanent injuries to his face and head and suffered great pain and mental anguish, according to the complaint. He also lost money and earnings, sustained a greatly diminished earning capacity and incurred medical costs, the suit states.
Horton blames Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis for causing his injuries, saying the company negligently failed to provide safe tools and equipment, failed to provide proper supervision, failed to warn of hazardous conditions, allowed unsafe practices to become standard and assigned Horton work that it knew would result in injury.
Horton is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs. He will be represented by Gregory M. Tobin of Pratt and Tobin in East Alton.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 14-L-210.