Amsted Rail AFS-Keystone sued over retaliatory discharge claim

A former railroad worker has filed a $1.55 million lawsuit against Amsted Rail AFS-Keystone Inc. of Granite City saying he was fired for filing a workers' compensation claim.

Rodney Baker filed athelawsuit April 1 in Madison County Circuit Court.

According to the complaint, Baker was hurt on the job in May 2009. Unable to work, Baker says he filed a workers' compensation claim and received disability payments that were scheduled to last through May 2010.

In April 2010, Baker says he received a letter from Amsted Rail telling him his employment was being terminated because he had missed so many days from work.

Baker accuses Amsted Rail of violating Illinois' Workers Compensation Act and asks for more than $1.55 million in actual and punitive damages plus court costs.

He is represented by attorney Bob L. Perica, of Wood River.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-311