EDWARDSVILLE — A railroad employee claims he was exposed to diesel fuel fumes and other toxic substances on a regular basis, causing him to develop cancer.
William Bretwisch filed a complaint March 31 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis and Union Pacific Railroad Company, alleging negligence.
According to his suit, Bretwisch has worked primarily for Terminal Railroad from 2011 to present day. However, between 2012 to 2018, after being laid off, he was transferred to Union Pacific until he was recalled back to work for Terminal Railroad. Bretwisch alleges that while working as a brakeman, switchman and conductor throughout the U.S. at the defendants' yards and buildings, he was exposed on a daily basis to "various toxic substances" known to be carcinogens, including diesel fuel fumes exhaust/benzene, polysyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, creosote and silica.
Bretwisch was allegedly diagnosed with cancer on Aug. 4, 2017.
He alleges the defendants were negligent in failing to take actions to reduce or eliminate his exposure to the toxic materials and for failing to monitor its facilities or test its employees for exposure and any physical effects. Bretwisch further alleges the defendants did not have adequate ventilation systems or protective equipment for employees.
Bretwisch seeks compensation of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by Stephen Monroe, II of Marc J. Bern & Partners LLP in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 21-L-000409