Callis
A railroad conductor's injury suit against CSX Transportation set for trial Monday won't go to a jury until March.
Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis signed an order continuing the Monday trial due to the threat of more than a foot of snow and half inch of ice.
Meteorologists across the St. Louis metropolitan area are predicting a significant winter storm to hit starting today with freezing rain and continuing through Wednesday with heavy snow. Sleet was already falling west of Edwardsville and expected to hit Madison County later this afternoon.
Plaintiff Victor Hawkins claims that CSX Transportation failed to provide a safe workplace, adequate training and warnings about tornadoes when Hawkins was injured aboard a CSX train in Kentucky.
Hawkins claims that tornadoes moving through the area where the train was headed down power lines that led to a problem with the train.
Hawkins and other crew members were allegedly thrown forward by the train and Hawkins was hurt.
CSX denies the claims and alleges Hawkins contributed to his own
injuries.
The plaintiff seeks damages in excess of $100,000 and costs.
Hawkins is suing CSX under the Federal Employer's Liability Act.
David Jones represents Hawkins.
Richard Nash represents CSX.
The case is Madison case number 07-L-084.