Illinois Rail Yard Worker Killed After Train Rolls Over Her in Riverdale
A 37-year-old CSX rail yard worker died on Friday after a train rolled over her in a Riverdale rail yard. Melinda Carter was conducting routine switch operations, which involves moving cars to get them ready for delivery, when she was thrown from a locomotive, which then hit her. Carter was an experienced conductor who belonged to the railroad company’s safety committee.
Rail Yard Accidents
Rail yard injuries are not as uncommon as one would think. With locomotives constantly being moved around a yard, workers often put themselves at risk of serious injuries. Rail yard injuries have included spinal cord injuries, burns, limb injuries, repetitive trauma injuries, cumulative trauma injuries, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, broken bones, and death. You may be able to file an Illinois railroad worker injury lawsuit if you or someone you love was seriously injured while working in a rail yard.
Earlier this year, a jury awarded $33 million to a former Iowa Interstate Railroad train conductor who lost both his legs and his bowels during a 2007 Rock Island rail yard accident in 2007. Andrew Schultze was walking next to a train and attempting to pull a pin on a rail car when the pin lifter got stuck. Schultze tripped and fell and the rail car ran over him.
The jury awarded him $10 million for disfigurement, $10 million for loss of a normal life, $6.3 million for pain and suffering, $4.2 million for medical costs, and $2.5 million for the benefits and income.
Family mourns railroad conductor killed in yard accident, Chicago Tribune, April 24, 2010
Railroad employee gets $33 million for accident, Quad-City TImes, March 26, 2010
Related Web Resources:
CSX Corporation
Train Accidents Overview, Justia
A FELA law firm can help you explore your legal options.
