Switchman sues Alton and Southern over injuries sustained in derailment

A man has filed suit against the railway where he claims he was working when he sustained injuries after train cars derailed.

Jerold Moss claims he was working as a switchman for defendant The Alton and Southern Railway Company on March 13, 2011, when a cut of railroad cars derailed near East St. Louis. In turn, Moss was
forced to dismount from the locomotive engine, according to the complaint filed March 12 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of the alleged incident, Moss suffered severe and disabling injuries to his back, neck and legs; incurred medical costs; and suffered extreme pain and mental anguish, the suit states. He also lost wages, the complaint says.

Moss blames The Alton and Southern Railway Company for contributing to his injuries, saying it negligently failed to provide him with a safe place to work, failed to provide him with safe conditions for work and failed to provide him with safe equipment.

He says the company also violated the Federal Safety Appliance Act because the coupler on its train failed.

In his complaint, Moss is seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

David w. Dugan of East Alton and Robert H. Gregory of the Law Office of Robert H. Gregory will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-136.