FELA suit filed against CSX in federal court

Ricky Lee Edsall, Sr. filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) suit against CSX Transportation in U.S. District Court Dec. 23, 2005, claiming he suffers from repetitive stress injuries.

Edsall claims that for "many years" he was employed as a trackman and the hand tools he used included wrenches, hammers, claws, bars, spike mauls, line bars and sledgehammers. He also used a variety of power tools to provide railroad track maintenance.

"Plaintiff's job as a trackman had a lot of physical demands that were routine and repetitive, which contributed to his repetitive stress injuries and required medical treatment," the complaint states.

Edsall also claims he was required to walk on uneven surfaces and ballast, often carrying tools weighing in excess of 50 pounds for long distances. He also claims being subjected to bending and stooping while gathering materials, pulling and hammering spikes, and spreading ballast.

His complaint also states that he routinely squatted while adjusting bolts, switches, or track gauge and unloading ballast. He also was required to crouch and knell while performing tasks, the suit states.

"Edsall's repetitive stress injuries were exacerbated in recent years with Edsall required to work an increasing amount of overtime to get the job done," the complaint states.

He claims that a shortage in manpower was due to attrition and injuries of other trackmen, plus CSX has reduced its hiring of new trackmen.

Edsall alleges at the time of his injuries CSX failed to provide him with a safe place to work, failed to provide sufficient manpower, failed to provide safe methods of work and failed to monitor the workplace and instruct employees of methods to reduce exposure to injuries.

He claims that he has severely injured his back, neck, wrists and hands while performing work for CSX. He claims the injuries have caused him to incur medical expenses, lose wages, and become permanently disabled.

Represented by Roger Denton of St Louis, Edsall is seeking damages in excess of $150,000 plus costs of the suit.

The case has been assigned to District Judge William Stiehl.

05-CV-903-WDS