PHILADELPHIA – A Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) coach cleaner has filed a lawsuit against her employer, for violation of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), in response to injuries she says she sustained in the course of her duties.
Linda Y. Burrell of Philadelphia filed suit in the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas on Nov. 22 versus SEPTA, also of Philadelphia.
“On May 23, 2017, plaintiff was working at defendant’s Chestnut Hill West Station as a coach cleaner. As plaintiff attempted to board Car 810, she sustained the serious and painful personal injuries when she fell into the open trap stairway. Plaintiff was caused to sustain injury due to the negligence and carelessness of the defendant as that trap is not supposed to be open at that station. As a result, plaintiff sustained the severe personal injuries hereinafter described,” the suit states.
Burrell suffered aggravation to pre-existing injuries and/or sprains and strains to her back, neck, right shoulder and right wrist, along with injuries to her head and face, the suit says. Due to said injuries, Burrell was required to receive treatment for aggravation of pre-existing conditions and suffered a loss of earnings and impairment to her earning capacity and power, the suit says.
Burrell claims SEPTA violated federal law by not providing her with a safe place to work, failing to provide her with non-defective equipment, failing to correct the dangerous condition existing at the station and a number of other charges.
For one count of FELA violation, the plaintiff is seeking damages not in excess of $50,000.
The plaintiff is represented by Voci R. Bennett of Keller & Goggin, in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas case 171102275
From the Pennsylvania Record: Reach Courts Reporter Nicholas Malfitano at nickpennrecord@gmail.com