PHILADELPHIA – A bridge, building and station mechanic for Amtrak has alleged the train transportation company of violating the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) by not providing a safe workplace, which he believes caused his serious shoulder injuries.
Christopher Taranto of Delran, N.J. filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Oct. 10 versus National Railroad Passenger Corporation (doing business as “Amtrak”), of Philadelphia.
On June 15, 2015, during the course and scope of his employment, Taranto was required to carry and lift an intertrack fence panel over an air pipe at Holmes Interlocking/Holmesburg Junction Pennsylvania. As Taranto and his co-worker attempted to maneuver the panel over the pipe, Taranto’s co-worker began to lift the panel before Taranto had an adequate grip, causing the fence panel to strike the pipe and Taranto to twist his arm and sustain severe and permanent injuries to his left shoulder, necessitating surgery, injections and physical therapy, the suit says.
Taranto believes Amtrak violated FELA by requiring him to carry tools which were too heavy, unwieldy and not ergonomically correct and failing to warn him of the shoulder injuries he may subject to in the course of his duties, among other charges.
Taranto was taken to the emergency room at Lourdes Medical Associates Professional Orthopedics and diagnosed with a closed AC separation, then advised to follow up with an orthopedic doctor, the suit says. After visits and follow-ups with three separate physicians, Taranto underwent an arthroscopy, debridement and subacromial decompression, and was advised he would likely be unable to return to his prior line of work due to the physical nature of the work, the suit says.
For one count of FELA violation, the plaintiff is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest, costs, fees and such other and further relief the Court and jury shall deem appropriate.
The plaintiff is represented by William L. Myers Jr. of The Myers Firm, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 171001152
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com