MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

A former BNSF Railway Company employee says he was injured after he was exposed to repetitive trauma while working for the railroad.

Russell A. Larimer filed a lawsuit Sept. 21 in Madison County Circuit Court against BNSF Railway Company.

Larimer claims he was subjected to numerous repetitive traumas throughout his work from 1969 until 2007 repairing BNSF's bridges and railroad tracks.

Because of his work, Larimer sustained severe and permanent injuries to his shoulder and body, suffered great pain and mental anguish and lost earnings and other money to which he would have been entitled, according to the complaint. In addition, Larimer's earning capacity has been greatly diminished and he incurred medical costs, the suit states.

Larimer blames BNSF for a number of negligent acts including its failure to provide safe tools, its failure to provide him with suitable equipment and personal protective equipment, its failure to provide proper supervision, its failure to warn of hazardous conditions, its allowing unsafe business practices to become common and its assigning Larimer work that it knew would cause him injury, the complaint says.

Larimer is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

Gregory M. Tobin of Pratt and Tobin in East Alton will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-1000.