Paul Junod, 51, a locomotive mechanic, fell from an elevated platform while changing shock absorbers at the Illinois Central Railroad’s Woodcrest shop in Homewood, Ill. Junod suffered multiple fractures of his left wrist with median and radial nerve damage, which required open reduction internal fixation with a plate and screws inserted. Following the June 26, 2006 incident, Junod also developed post traumatic arthritis, chronic pain and increasing impairment of the hand. He will need future surgeries for hardware removal, nerve decompression and a possible wrist fusion.
Junod contended that the railroad chose not to provide him with adequate equipment to perform his job, which included a high-torque impact gun with deep well impact sockets, forcing him to use a breaker bar and box wrench to remove nuts from the shock absorbers. This made the task more difficult and allegedly caused Junod to lose his balance and fall off the platform.
Junod also argued that the platform was not equipped with handrails and a toe-board as required.
Illinois Central Railroad argued that Junod was provided with safe tools to perform his job and that he was not injured to the extent that he claimed.
The verdict was $1,147,000, but was reduced by 36 percent, to $704,000, because of the contributory fault assigned to Junod’s actions. The attorneys for the plaintiff Junod were David W. Conover and Otto J. Shragal.
The case is now being reviewed on appeal.
Paul Junod v. Illinois Central Railroad, No. 09 L 66009.
Kreisman Law Offices has been handling railroad accidents and FELA injury cases for individuals and families who have been harmed, injured or died as a result of the carelessness or negligence of another for more than 37 years in and around Chicago, Cook County and its surrounding areas, including Mount Prospect, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, Lincolnwood, Orland Park, Prospect Heights, Chicago (Jefferson Park, Roscoe Village), Villa Park and Wheeling, Ill.
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