EDWARDSVILLE — A former Norfolk Southern Railway employee alleges he suffered injuries when the brakes on a company truck caught fire.
Frank Krager filed a complaint on April 20 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Norfolk Southern Railway Company, alleging negligence.
According to his complaint, Krager was working for Norfolk Southern near Troy on Feb. 17, 2021. He alleges he was moving equipment by truck with an attached trailer from Brooklyn to Champaign. He was traveling on Interstate 55 when the trailer's brakes caught fire. Krager claims he attempted to use a fire extinguisher to put out the flames, but the tires exploded and caused him to suffer injuries.
Krager alleges Norfolk Southern was negligent for failing to furnish him with a reasonably safe work place and vehicle, failed to inspect the truck and trailer, which would have disclosed the defective equipment, failed to maintain the truck and knew or should have known that the lack of proper service to the vehicle would endanger the driver. He claims Norfolk Southern also knew or should have known the trailer was not adequate for the job.
Krager claims he suffered disability, loss of work and incurred medical expenses as a result of the incident.
Krager seeks monetary relief of more than $50,000, trial by jury and all other just relief. He is represented by F. Daniel Petro of Petro & Harrington LLC in Chicago.
Madison County Circuit Court case number 2022LA000516