Norfolk Southern sued by shipper claiming wrist injuries

A former railroad worker claims he was subjected to numerous repetitive traumas throughout the course of his career.

Juan H. Saunders filed a lawsuit Oct. 9 in Madison County Circuit Court against Norfolk Southern Railway Company.

Saunders claims he worked as a laborer and shipper for Norfolk Southern from 1970 until 2008.

During that time, Saunders was subjected to numerous repetitive injuries, which caused severe and permanent injuries to his wrists, hands and elbow and caused him to suffer great pain and mental anguish, according to the complaint. In addition, Saunders lost money, experienced a greatly diminished earning capacity and incurred medical costs, the suit states.

He blames Norfolk Southern for failing to provide safe tools and personal protective equipment, for failing to provide proper supervision, for failing to warn of hazardous conditions, for allowing unsafe practices to become standard, for assigning work that it knew would result in an injury to Saunders, for assigning Saunders work that it knew was beyond his physical capacity and for failing to provide a safe place to work.

Saunders 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-1077.