Kenneth Bradshaw filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act suit against Union Pacific Railroad in St. Clair County Circuit Court Jan. 5, seeking damages in excess of $150,000 for injuries he allegedly received while working.
Bradshaw, who was emplyed by Union Pacific for 43 years as a switchman, brakeman and conductor, claims he was exposed to repetitive stress and forces that caused him to develop a serious and debilitating condition to his knees and right shoulder.
According to Bradshaw, the railroad was guilty of the following violations of FELA by failing to provide him with safe and adequate equipment to protect him against repeated trauma and negligently requiring him to walk on uneven ballast surfaces.
He also claims Union Pacific required him to dismount moving equipment onto uneven ballast surfaces and repeatedly lift and carry heavy and awkwardly shaped objects.
Bradshaw further alleges that Union Pacific failed to determine the ergonomic risks of his job.
According to Bradshaw, his debilitating condition has caused and will continue to cause great pain and mental anguish, disability and extreme nervousness.
Bradshaw is represented by William Gavin of the William Gavin Law Firm in Belleville.
Union Pacific Railroad is the largest railroad in North America, covering 23 states across two-thirds of the United States.
It employs 48,295 people and has an annual payroll of $3.3 billion.
Although Union Pacific Railroad's primary role is transporting freight, it also runs a substantial commuter train operation in Chicago.
06 L 14 (20th Circuit)