Illinois Railroad Company Facing Asbestos Related Lawsuit from Former Employee

The Illinois Central Railroad Company is facing a lawsuit by a former employee who claims to have contracted an asbestos-related disease form his time working for the railroad company.

James A. Miller filed his complaint on February 13th in the St. Clair Country Circuit Court. He claims to have been exposed to asbestos while working as a machinist apprentice and machinist from 1946 to 1951. He mainly worked on locomotive boilers where he says the inhalation of airborne asbestos fibers lead to his disease.

Miller claims he has had a suffered from pain, extreme nervousness, and mental anguish due to his illness. Financially, Miller has had to pay for medical costs, sustained a loss of earnings, and has a diminished ability to render services, society, affection, counseling and support for his family. Lastly, he has experienced a shortened life expectancy according to the suit.

In his complaint, Miller states that the Illinois Central Railroad Company was negligent by failing to warn him of the hazardous effects of asbestos exposure. The company also failed to instruct or provide a safe method for using asbestos-containing products as well as not providing proper ventilation systems and requiring their employees to work in hazardous conditions.

Finally, Miller claims the company did not test him to check for possible ill effects and did not require limited access to areas where asbestos products were being used. The railroad also failed to provide separate lockers for clothing worn home or test products before they were used by employees.

Miller is seeking over $50,000 and any other relief the court feels is appropriate.