Canadian National Railroad sued after employee falls into pit

A railroad worker is suing his employer after claiming he fell into a pit while working.

Jason Rinka filed a lawsuit Dec. 9 in the Cook County Circuit Court against the Wisconsin Central/Canadian National Railroad, citing Federal Employers Liability Act and negligence per se.

Rinka says on Jan. 4, 2011, he was engaged in the course of his duties as a machine operator and trackman for the defendant when he was sent to its roundhouse garage in Green Bay, Wisc. to inspect, maintain and repair a speedswing.

He claims the garage had no lighting and an open pit in close proximity to the speedswing machine. The suit states that Rinka fell into the pit and was injured as a result of the defendant's negligence.

Rinka is seeking damages more than the jurisdictional limit. He is being represented in the case by attorneys at Ridge & Downes.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2013L013926.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court of Cook County. The details in this report come from an original complaint filed by a plaintiff. Please note, a complaint represents an accusation by a private individual, not the government. It is not an indication of guilt, and it only represents one side of the story.