A McLeansboro, Ill. man filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act suit against CSX Transportation in U.S. District Court Dec. 19, alleging he was injured on two separate occasions while working for the railroad.
Bill Guthrie alleges that on April 25, 2005, he injured his low back, tail bone and left elbow while trying to pick up an injured co-worker who had fallen out of a railroad car, and onto a ladder, becoming stuck hanging upside down.
According to Guthrie, a CSX employee for 26 years, the alleged incident took place at CSX's Radnor Yard in Nashville, Tenn.
Guthrie also claims he sustained injuries on July 10, 2007, when a CSX vehicle he was a passenger in ran off Route 109, near Madisonville, Ky., which caused serious and permanent injuries to his back, tailbone and legs.
Guthrie claims CSX was negligent by:
He also claims that CSX failed to provide safe transportation during the course of his work, failed to keep a proper lookout on the roadway, failed to keep proper control of the vehicle and carelessly operated a railroad vehicle in a manner to cause an injury.
Guthrie claims his various injuries have and will continue to cause him to endure great pain and mental anguish, medical expenses and lost wages.
Represented by Edward Brennan of the Brennan Law Firm in Belleville, Guthrie is seeking damages in excess of $150,000, plus costs of the suit.
The case has been assigned to District Judge G. Patrick Murphy.