Illinois Central Railroad named in St. Clair County FELA complaint

Steven Sopp, who worked for Illinois Central Railroad for approximately 30 years, has filed a Federal Employers' Liability Act suit in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint filed April 30, Sopp claims he was exposed to repetitive stress which caused him to develop a serious and debilitating condition of his knees.

Represented by William P. Gavin of the Gavin Law Firm in Belleville and Mark P. Dupont of Dupo, Sopp is seeking in excess of $150,000 in damages.

His complaint also seeks recovery under the Locomotive Boiler Inspection Act and the Safety Appliance Act.

Sopp, who worked as a switchman, brakeman and conductor, claims the railroad failed to provide him a safe place to work, among other things.

"As a result of plaintiff's debilitating condition caused, in whole or in part, by defendant's negligence plaintiff has suffered and will continue to suffer great pain and disability, mental anguish, and extreme nervousness as a result of his reasonable concern over his injury and plaintiff has incurred and will continue to incur great expense in endeavoring to be cured of his injury and plaintiff has lost and will continue to lose income because of the disabilities resulting from his injuries," the complaint states.