St. Clair County man accuses railway of causing lead poisoning

A St. Clair County man is suing his employer after allegedly developing lead poisoning on the job.

Charles Bacon filed the lawsuit Oct. 6 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Dakota Southern Railway Company and BG&CM Railroad Inc.

According to the petition, Bacon was working in a rail yard owned by the defendants in January 2013. He says he was told by his supervisor, John Myre, to torch cut and grind "I" beams that were once part of a railroad trestle. The "I" beams were allegedly covered in lead paint. but Bacon says he was not provided the necessary respiratory safety equipment.

On March 18 Myre pleaded guilty to negligent endangerment in violation of the Clean Air Act for not supplying workers with the proper equipment, according to the lawsuit. Bacon claims he has been diagnosed with lead poisoning since working on the "I" beams.

Bacon accuses Dakota Southern Railway and BG&CM Railroad of violating the Federal Employers' Liability Act and asks for more than $50,000 in damages for medical bills, lost wages and costs of the lawsuit.

He is represented by attorney Ryan Brennan of Belleville. They request a jury trial.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-676.