Engineer sues train companies for injury, alleges negligence

A train engineer is suing his employers, claiming an unsafe work environment led to injuries.

Brett Hobbs filed a lawsuit on March 21 in the Cook County Circuit Court against CN Transportation Ltd., Illinois Central Railroad Co., Wisconsin Central Ltd., Grand Trunk Western Railway, Chicago Central & Pacific Railroad Co. and Elgin Joliet and Eastern Railway Co., citing negligence.

According to the suit, Hobbs was performing his duty as a locomotive engineer on Jan. 24, when a cut of cars violently collided into his train, causing him serious injuries.

He claims the defendants were negligent in providing him a safe working environment, which resulted in injuries to his neck, back and other parts of his body. The suit further alleges that the defendants put Hobbs under a risk of a second injury in having him return back to his duties before being physically or medically able.

Hobbs is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 and court costs. He is being represented in the case by Chicago attorney George T. Brugess of Hoey & Farina P.C.

Cook County Circuit Court Case No. 2014L003301.

This is a report on a civil lawsuit filed at the Cook County Courthouse. 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.