Railroad worker claims knee degeneration

Larry Gier, an employee of Union Pacific Railroad from 1969 until 2005, filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court claiming he suffers from degeneration of his knees and their related structures.

Gier, who worked as a hostler, fireman and engineer, claims Union Pacific is negligent for failing to provide a safe place to work.

"During the course of his employment with defendant, plaintiff was exposed to repetitive traumas to his hips, knees, ankles, and feet and the structures therein as a result of repeated lifting of heavy objects, lifting and carrying of heavy and awkwardly shaped objects, walking on uneven ballast surfaces, dismounting moving equipment, bending, twisting and the opeation of switches and handbrakes that were poorly and/or not maintained..." states the complaint filed Dec. 27.

Represented by William P. Gavin of Belleville, Gier is seeking in excess of $150,000 in damages. His complaint also seeks relief under the Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act and the Safety Appliance Act.