Norfolk Southern trackman claims repetitive trauma

A former employee is suing Norfolk Southern Railway, claiming more than two decades of repairing tracks left him with permanent injuries.

Michael S. Veach filed the negligence claim against Norfolk Southern Railway Company on April 5 in Madison County Circuit Court.

Veach was employeed by Norfolk Southern Railway as a trackman, according to the complaint, from 1980 through 2011. He says he worked on various parts of the company's track system, including in Madison County.

As a result making necessary repairs to the track as required by his job, Veach says he was "subjected to numerous repetitive traumas." He accuses his former employer of negligence for failing to provide safe and suitable tools, equipment or protective equipment to perform work. He says Norfolk Southern allowed unsafe practices and should have known they would cause Veach physical injury.

Veach says he has sustained severe and permanent injuries to his knees and body, all of which have allegedly caused him pain and mental anguish and left him unable to continue working. He is asking Norfolk Southern to pay more than $50,000 for medical expenses and lost earnings.

Attorney Gregory M. Tobin of East Alton is representing Veach.

Madison County Circuit Court Case No. 12-L-438