BNSF sued over worker's low back injuries

A man has filed suit against the railroad where he claims he sustained various lower back injuries that he attributes to his work as a signal maintainer.

Nathan Estes claims he was working for defendant BNSF Railway Company when he suffered various injuries because of work he was required to perform for the company.

For instance, Estes was ordered to walk around uneven tracks and signal stands, to walk among debris and stray ballast and to perform heavy lifting without adequate manpower or mechanical assistance, according to the complaint filed May 8 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Because of his work duties, Estes suffered injuries to his lower back, hips, thighs and legs; has been required to undergo physical therapy, epidural injections and surgery in an attempt to relieve his pain; incurred medical costs; and lost wages, the suit states.

“Prior to these injuries, plaintiff was an able bodied man, capable of performing heavy, strenuous manual labor and had been doing so while working for the defendant,” the complaint says.

Estes blames BNSF for causing his injuries, saying the railroad negligently failed to provide its employees with a safe place to work, failed to provide its employees with safe work methods, failed to provide Estes with adequate help, failed to provide Estes with safe work equipment, failed to properly maintain the areas where Estes was required to walk and failed to tamp the ballast where Estes had to walk, among other negligent actions.

In his complaint, Estes is seeking a judgment of more than $50,000, plus costs and other relief the court deems just.

He will be represented by Drew C. Baebler of Bauer and Baebler in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-242.