Illinois Central Railroad named in FELA complaint

Gary Neeble filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act suit against his former employer Illinois Central Railroad in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Neeble, who had worked for the railroad for 31 years, claims he had been repeatedly exposed to loud noises and high decibel levels in locomotive cabs, yards, work areas, office buildings and while working on and near the railroad's tools and equipment.

Among other things, Neeble claims to have suffered occupational hearing loss.

He worked for Illinois Central from March 1974 through June 2005, in several capacities including crew caller/train operator, industrial engineer and as a claims handler.

He also claims injury from cumulative trauma to his back, spine and body.

"That during Plaintiff's employment with the Defendant, Plaintiff was routinely exposed to repetitive movements, vibrating engine seats, vibrating engine locomotives, vibration, defective tools, defective seats, and slack action on a repetitive continuing basis that resulted in his exposure to repeated cumulative trauma to various parts of his body, including but not limited to his back and spine, lower extremity joints, hands, wrists and upper extremities," states the complaint filed March 14.

Neeble claims Illinois Central failed to provide him with a reasonably safe place to work.

Seeking in excess of $400,000 in damages, Neeble is represented by John P. Kujawski and Robert Marcus of Kujawski & Associates in O'Fallon.