Personal injury suit filed against Conrail, Norfolk Southern

An Ohio man has filed a personal injury lawsuit against Conrail, and its successor, Norfolk Southern Railway Co., for what he alleges are work-related injuries.

The lawsuit, filed May 9 by New Jersey attorney Thomas Joyce III in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, alleges that Robert Maier’s lower back injuries are directly related to the work he did as a carman for the Consolidated Rail Corp. and Norfolk Southern Railway Co. from 1976 to 1978, and then again from 2004 through 2009.

Conrail has offices at 1717 Arch Street in Philadelphia, while Norfolk is based in Virginia, but does business in Philadelphia.

The lawsuit says Maier’s cumulative heavy lifting, bending, crouching, kneeling, reaching, climbing twisting, stooping, squatting, crawling and working in other awkward and harmful positions caused his injuries, which he was diagnosed with less than three years before this action was filed.

The complaint faults Maier’s prior employer for failing to provide a safe work environment as required by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.

Maier has experienced substantial financial loss, which may continue into the future, because of his continued medical expenses, the suit states.

Maier is seeking damages individually, jointly and/or severally in excess of $50,000.

The case number is 110501032.