Engineer sues CSX over seat collapse at Rose Lake Yard

A man has filed suit against CSX, alleging he sustained injuries when a seat collapsed beneath him.

Don B. Johnson II claims he was working as a locomotive engineer for defendant CSX on Nov. 8 in the Rose Lake Yard.

"Don B. Johnson II assumed his assigned seat in the locomotive cab, and when he attempted to adjust the seat, the seat suddenly and without warning tipped over backwards causing plaintiff to fall," the suit filed Jan. 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court states.

Because of the incident, Johnson suffered injuries to his spine, endured mental anguish and sustained mental anguish, the complaint says. He also claims he lost wages and benefits, incurred medical costs and suffered a diminished ability to work and enjoy life.

He blames CSX for causing his injuries, saying it negligently failed to comply with the Locomotive Inspection Act, failed to comply with the Code of Federal Regulations by securely mounting and bracing the cab seats, failed to provide him with a safe place to work and required him to work with an unsafe seat.

In his complaint, Johnson is seeking compensatory damages of more than $150,000, plus costs.

He will be represented by Ryan Brennan of Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 15-L-44.