Ex-Union Pacific Railroad Welder Files FELA Lawsuit for Repetitive Strain Injuries
Jeffrey W. Stevens has filed a FELA lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad. Stevens, who worked for the railroad company as a welder between 2004 and 2010, says that he sustained a number of repetitive traumas while repairing railroad tracks. He is seeking over $50,000 plus costs.
According to his Illinois railroad work injury lawsuit, Stevens sustained permanent and serious spine, neck, and body injuries and experienced great anguish and pain as a result of his job with the railroad company. This decreased his earning capacity and caused him to incur medical expenses.
Stevens is accusing Union Pacific of failing to provide him with suitable and safe equipment, tools, and working methods, as well as proper supervision. He claims that his former employer did not warn him of hazardous conditions, allowed unsafe practices to exist in the workplace, gave him jobs that it knew would cause physical injury and were beyond his physical abilities, and did not provide enough manpower.
Repetitive Strain Injuries
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) can be very painful and debilitating. They usually affect the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, ankle, knee, or back. Damage may be temporary or permanent. Examples of repetitive stress conditions:
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Herniated Disc
• Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome
• Teonsynovitis
• Bursitis
• Chronic back pain
• Epicondylitis
• Ganglion Cysts
RSI’s develop over time when a worker engages in repetitive tasks that require physical force. Improper posture and awkward body motions can contribute to causing RSI.
Under the Federal Employers Liability Act, a railroad worker that is injured on the job may be able to pursue an Illinois railroad work injury complaint against an employer.
Railroad welder claims repetitive injuries in FELA suit, Madison Record, April 21, 2010
Related Web Resources:
Injured Railway Workers: Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA), Justia
