Trackman seeks $50k for repetitive traumas

Walter Ratts, a trackman for Illinois Central Railroad, claims he has sustained severe and permanent injuries to his back, neck, spine and knees after being subjected to numerous repetitive traumas over the course of a 37-year-long career.

According to a Federal Employers' Liability Act suit filed April 22 in St. Clair County Circuit Court, Ratts claims the railroad is negligent for failing to provide him a reasonably safe place to work, failing to provide safe methods of work, failing to provide sufficient manpower and failing to provide safe tools and equipment.

He claims his injuries have caused him to suffer great pain and mental anguish and that he has and will lose money and earnings he would otherwise have been entitled to.

Ratts also claims his earning capacity has been greatly diminished and he will be obligated for medical expenses.

Represented by Gregory M. Tobin of Pratt & Tobin in East Alton, Ratts is seeking in excess of $50,000 in damages.