Switchman sues Union Pacific over derailment injuries

A man claims he sustained great pain and disability after a railroad car on which he was working derailed.

Na'im R. Sharrieff filed a lawsuit July 18 in Madison County Circuit Court against Union Pacific Railroad Company.

In his complaint, Sharrieff claims he worked as a switchman in Alton on Dec. 29 when the incident occurred. As part of his job duties, Sharrieff was required to ride on the side of a railroad car, which subsequently derailed and rolled off Union Pacific's railroad tracks, according to the complaint.

In addition to his pain and disability, Sharrieff suffered mental anguish, incurred medical costs and experienced extreme nervousness, the suit states.

Sharrieff blames Union Pacific for negligently failing to provide him with a safe place to work, for failing to provide him with safe equipment, for failing to maintain its railroad tracks and for failing to warn that its railroad tracks were not safe.

In his complaint, Sharrieff seeks a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs.

William P. Gavin of Gavin Law Firm in Belleville will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 11-L-703.