(The following story appeared on the Billings Gazette website on January 29.)
GREEN RIVER, Wyo. — A lawsuit has been filed against Union Pacific by an employee who claims he suffered incapacitating injuries when he slipped on oil and fell.
Brent S. Carpenter Jr. filed the complaint in state District Court, saying that on Feb. 12, 2001, he was working as an engineer in Rawlins and had to walk through spilled diesel fuel on the track to get to the train.
While the train was stopped in Rock Springs, Carpenter was descending a set of steps in the locomotive, slipped and fell, the complaint states.
Carpenter claims it was UP’s duty to provide a safe workplace, including inspecting and maintaining machinery, tools, equipment, rail yard areas and tracks. He claims it was also the company’s responsibility to warn employees of accumulated oil, diesel fuel or any other slipping hazards.
He claims he suffered injuries to his wrist, back and neck and has frequent headaches.
Carpenter is seeking damages for loss of past and future wages and past and future fringe benefits, along with associated court costs and legal fees.