Former railroad worker sues after allegedly falling on slippery substance

A former railroad worker alleges he sustained injuries when he fell while working on a locomotive.

David Decker filed a lawsuit Dec. 17 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Union Pacific Railroad Company.

In his complaint, Decker says he was working for Union Pacific on July 23, 2012, when he was required to work in the air compressor compartment of the locomotive. Suddenly, he slipped and fell, sustaining injuries to his neck, right shoulder and right arm, according to the complaint.

In addition to his injuries, Decker suffered great pain and disability, sustained serious mental anguish and nervousness and incurred medical costs, the suit states. He also lost wages, the complaint says.

Decker blames Union Pacific for causing his injuries, saying it negligently failed to provide him with a safe place to work, required him to work in a locomotive contaminated with oil and other slippery substances, failed to clean up the oil and failed to warn of the slippery substance's presence.

Decker seeks a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.

Attorney William P. Gavin of Gavin Law Firm in Belleville will represent Decker.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 14-L-807.