Rail worker sues employer for $1 million over unsafe work environment

A rail worker injured while working for Union Pacific Railroad Company is asking for $1 million in damages from the company, claiming he was injured because of an unsafe work environment.

The man, Phillip Roberts, 50, was injured at a site in Wood River when he tripped over an abandoned telephone wire running along the tracks.  Roberts claims that Union Pacific was negligent because they did not provide him with a safe work environment as they failed to clear vegetation and failed to provide him with a reasonable pathway.

A witness, Willy Calloway, claims that he repeatedly warned Roberts to be careful of “tripping hazards” as the two moved along the Wood River tracks.  Calloway also claims that when he asked if Roberts was okay after he tripped, Roberts responded “I guess.”

Union Pacific contends that Roberts’ injuries are the result of a pre-existing ailment and that he contributed to his own fall.  The trial is taking place in Madison County, Illinois.

Union Pacific is probably going to fight hard in this case.  You can read why employers hate FELA in our law library article “Why your railroad employer doesn’t like FELA” and other articles in our FELA railway worker injury law library.