Railroad worker claims injury caused lifestyle adjustment

A former BNSF Railway Company employee has filed suit against the company, alleging she severely injured her foot while working.

Barbara Stewart alleges she was working as a train dispatcher for the railway when her foot was severely injured as the result of unsafe working conditions.

Stewart does not say when the injury occurred, but says she reported it in May 2007.

Because of the injury, Stewart underwent surgery to her heel and Achilles tendon, which caused her pain, suffering, injury and psychological injury, the suit states. In addition, she required rehabilitation, incurred medical costs and was forced to undergo a lifestyle adjustment, the complaint says.

Stewart also claims she suffered economic hardship and lost her wages and benefits worth more than $15,000 per year. In addition, she lost the ability to find other work, according to the complaint.

BNSF negligently failed to provide Stewart with a safe place to work, failed to provide her with safe equipment, failed to provide sufficient help, failed to provide equipment to mitigate the effect of its equipment from damaging Stewart's foot, failed to provide safe methods of work and failed to provide safe equipment.

In her complaint, Stewart is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

She will be represented by Daniel R. Francis of The Francis Law Firm in St. Louis.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-532.