EDWARDSVILLE — A Terminal Railroad worker is claims he was injured after he was thrown from a railcar that was struck by a contractor's truck.
Jermaine Howell filed a complaint June 18 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Terminal Railroad Association Inc., (TRRA) and Walsh Construction Company, alleging violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act.
According to the complaint, Howell was working for TRRA as a switchman on Jan. 8, 2020. He alleges that he was assigned to ride a railcar at the same time a train was being moved and crossed Buchanan Street in St. Louis. Howell claims a Walsh employee working on the same project was driving a truck when he struck the railcar the plaintiff was riding in and caused him to be thrown from the railcar and onto the ground.
Howell claims that as a result of the incident, he suffered "severe and permanent" injuries that required medical care.
Howell alleges TRRA was negligent for failing to have a flagman at the railroad crossing or to adequately light the railroad crossing. In addition, Howell alleges TRRA should have notified contractors at the train crossing or have an operator at the crossing to sound a horn or whistle warning. He claims Walsh was negligent for the actions of its employee, who failed to keep the truck under proper control.
Howell seeks compensation of more than $50,000 and all other just relief. He is represented by John Papa of Pratt & Tobin PC in East Alton.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2021L-000710