Harla
Jones
St. Clair County Associate Judge Vincent Lopinot on June 25 rescheduled a status conference to Aug. 27 in a St. Clair County man's case against his former railroad employer for damage allegedly done to his knees.
Gary R. Moore filed a lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad Company Aug. 25, 2011 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
Status conferences were held April 30 and Feb. 21 in the case.
Moore says he began working for Union Pacific in 1970 and performed various duties during his time with the company which included work as a brakeman, conductor and engineer. He says that up to November 2008, he was exposed to multiple repetitive injuries to his knees.
Moore claims those knee injuries were caused by working conditions at the railroad. He says he was often required to lift heavy objects, set and release handbrakes and jump off locomotives from heights that he considers unsafe.
Along with unsafe working conditions, Moore contends Union Pacific had unsafe tracks and suspension systems on which the trains operated. He claims the continued stress to his knees eventually led to the need for knee replacement.
Union Pacific denies the allegations and states that the plaintiff's claims are time barred since the lawsuit was not filed three years from the date of the alleged injury.
The railroad also states that the plaintiff's alleged injuries were caused by preexisting conditions or other contributory factors.
Thomas Jones and Harlan Harla of Thompson Coburn represent the defense.
Attorney William P. Gavin of Belleville is representing Moore.
St. Clair County Circuit Court Case No. 11-L-479.