Employees sue CSX for work-related Injuries

WHEELING - A group of employees of CSX Transportation, Inc., are suing CSX for multiple safety violations and for its negligence in operating a safe workplace after they received multiple serious work-related injuries and subsequent health disorders.

The suit was filed this month in Ohio County by Harold W. Boyce, John L. Hamilton, Earl D. Leftwich, Billy Joe Lemarr, Rufus G. Mosley, Pinkney N. Shirley, and Walter F. Stephens, all CSX employees.

In the suit, the plaintiffs claim that less than three years ago due to unsafe working conditions and equipment, they received "excessive and harmful cumulative trauma" to their hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders. They attribute this to be the sole fault of the defendant, CSX Transportation. They claim it has failed to follow government safety regulations, failed to provide proper protective equipment for its employees, failed to warn them about the risks for many of their current injuries and health disorders, failed to monitor the work habits of the plaintiffs to determine if their practices placed them at a high risk for injury, and failed to provide a generally safe environment in which to work.

As a result of their injuries, the plaintiffs have suffered multiple health disorders including carpel tunnel syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis, rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement syndrome, and other physical maladies; these injuries have contributed to severe pain, suffering, and impairment of certain body movements. The injuries have also caused impairment of their general health, strength and vitality, and have caused them to lose their ability to enjoy life. For all of these reasons, the plaintiffs seek compensation for their injuries and damages and are suing CSX in the amount of $500,000.00.

They seek a trial by jury.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge Martin J. Gaughan.

Ohio Circuit Court case number: 06-C-40