Attorney Daniel Francis has filed four more FELA law suits against Illinois Central Railroad, bringing the total number of suits he has filed in St. Clair to 45, since December.

The claims, filed on behalf of former workers of the railroad, allege that Illinois Central was "legally negligent" because of causing an injury, at least in part.

FELA was passed in 1908 by the U. S. Congress to address injuries and sickness sustained by railroad workers on the job. Its purpose is to protect and compensate workers who were made injured or sick while on the job. To qualify, under FEMA, and unlike state worker's compensation laws, claimants have to prove that the railroad was culpable in contributing or causing the injury or sickness.

The plaintiffs are asking for compensation for pain and suffering, including the loss of their "health, strength, and vitality." They also want to recover medical expenses, treatment costs, and a possible cure.

They allege that Illinois Central knew of the health and safety risks and did not about them. As a result, the company is guilty of violating FELA and should be made to pay restitution to the victims and their families.

One of the cases involves a former Illinois Central employee who was diagnosed of lung cancer and other "serious and severe pulmonary diseases," His widow, Jeanna M. Buesking is suing based on the FEMA law, alleging that the company was negligent for his exposure and responsible for his death.

The other three suits are asbestosis claims and involve Lester A. Ramsey, Kenneth E. Rowe and Paul E. Ferguson. All four claims were filed on April 17.

Asbestos, a natural fibrous mineral, is found in more than 3,000 products used worldwide, including electric insulation, fireproofing, building materials, household appliances, break linings, and more. While heavily regulated and restricted now, for years it was handled with much less care as the dangers of it were not so clearly known.

It has been associated with serious acute and chronic health complications such as lung cancer. When asbestos is inhaled or ingested, the fibres attach themselves to the lining of the lungs, stomach, or other organs and may cause serious illness and death. In recent years, a plethora of lawsuits related to asbestos exposure have been filed world wide, prompting several efforts by the U.S. Congress to limit corporate liability. These efforts have largely failed.

For his part, Francis has been extremely active in St. Clair County, suing Illinois Central repeatedly, even though many of his plaintiffs have no relationship to the county directly. The fact that Illinois Central operates railroad tracks through the county is legally, enough reason to file here.