PHILADELPHIA – A former chemist for Conrail and CSX Transportation believes his development of kidney disease, multiple myeloma and pulmonary emboli are the result of his being exposed to harmful substances in the course of his work.
Ronald J. Milkas of Adel, Ga., filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 28 versus Consolidated Rail Corporation of Philadelphia and CSX Transportation, Inc. of Jacksonville, Fla.
Milkas states he worked as a chemist for the defendants from 1988-1999 in Selkirk, N.Y. and from 1999-2004 in Waycross, Ga. During that time, he claims he was “exposed to excessive and harmful amounts of chemical waste, diesel fuel/fumes, solvents such as xylene/toluene/hexane, petroleum products/lubricants, toxins, locomotive engine coolant and various chemical cleaners and reactants.”
More specifically, Milkas was tasked with testing the properties of locomotive lubricating oil, locomotive engine coolants and diesel fuel. In order to perform and complete the testing process, he claims he “was required to use a variety of solvents including xylene/toluene/hexane which were also used to clean and flush the testing equipment” and “was required to clean electrical parts with spray solvents that were known carcinogens.”
Milkas argues that being exposed to those same carcinogenic substances led him to contract kidney disease, multiple myeloma and pulmonary emboli, and that these illnesses were the result of the defendants’ negligence in exposing him to the substances while knowing of their ability to have harmful effects towards him, and violating the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) in the process
For one count of FELA violation, the plaintiff is seeking all recoverable damages in excess of $50,000 and the costs of this action.
The plaintiff is represented by Mark J. Mustin of Bern Cappelli, in Conshohocken.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 170903422
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com