Illinois Central trackman claims left shoulder injuries

A former Illinois Central Railroad Company employee has filed suit against the railroad, claiming he developed long-term cumulative trauma resulting in injuries to his left shoulder.

Tommy Pritchett began working for the railroad in 1969 as a trackman, welder, machine operator and foreman and his work duties led to his condition, according to the complaint filed Oct. 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

In addition to his injuries, Pritchett claims he suffered a disability, great pain and mental anguish and has lost earnings.

He has also incurred substantial medical costs and his earning capacity has been diminished, according to the complaint.

He claims Illinois Central Railroad Company was negligent because it failed to provide him with a safe place to work, failed to provide him with proper tools and equipment, failed to provide safe work methods, failed to provide adequate manpower and failed to provide adequate supervision and training.

In addition the railroad negligently failed to warn Pritchett about the risk of the development of cumulative trauma and destroyed or misplaced an ergonomic study of its welders published in 1991, the suit states.

In the four-count suit, Pritchett is seeking unspecified damages, plus costs of the suit.

Pritchett will be represented by Paul T. Slocomb and David L. Blunt of Blunt Slocomb in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 08-L-546.