Long-time CSX engineer files complaint in St. Clair County

A 39-year veteran locomotive engineer with CSX Transportation has filed suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court claiming his employer failed to provide him a safe place to work.

William P. Coleman claims that while working at the Howell Yard in Evansville, Ind. on March 10, 2005, he sustained injury when the cut of cars he was working on was struck by another cut of cars.

According to the complaint, Coleman hurt his lower back, hips, thighs and legs.

"Plaintiff states on information and belief that he was not aware of their likely work-related cause more than three years prior to suit, so this action is timely filed," the complaint states.

He claims that after the accident he was unable to work and therefore has lost wages and benefits and has incurred medical expenses, including prescriptions, doctor visits and surgery.

"Plaintiff further shows that as a result of the accident, his social, recreational, religious and economic pursuits have been hindered and restricted," states the complaint filed March 7.

Coleman also claims that CSX was allegedly negligent for failing to provide working radios to him and others who were assigned to work in the Howell Yard and failing to warn him and others of the whereabouts of other rolling stock within the Howell Yard, among other things.

Seeking in excess of $250,000 in damages, Coleman is represented by Drew C. Baebler of Bauer & Baebler of St. Louis.