CHICAGO – A Lynwood man formerly employed as a railroad trackman alleges exposure to toxic substances during his employment caused him to develop cancer.
Jessie Gosa Jr. filed a complaint on Nov. 1 in Cook County Circuit Court against Wisconsin Central LTD; Gary Railway Co.; Grand Trunk Western Railroad Co.; Amtrak; and Canadian Pacific Railway, alleging negligence.
According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that, between 1974 and 1983, he was exposed to toxic substances over the course of his career as an employee of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railway, which was purchased by the defendants. He alleges this exposure caused him to develop colon cancer, which he was diagnosed with in December 2015.
The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because the defendants allegedly failed to provide him a reasonably safe place to work, failed to properly reduce safe levels or remove known toxic materials and carcinogens from its facilities and failed to warn him of the risks of contracting cancer or other diseases.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks more than $50,000, plus the costs of the lawsuit and any other relief the court may grant. He is represented by Stephen F. Monroe of Marc J. Bern & Partners LLP in Chicago.
Cook County Circuit Court case number 2018L011924