Engineer sues KCS over asbestos exposure

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A former railroad engineer is suing the Kansas City Southern Railway Co. over workplace asbestos exposure he claims caused his lung disease.

Ebb Williams Jr. filed suit against KCS on March 27 in Jefferson County District Court.

Williams, who worked as a locomotive engineer for the company from 1974 until 2002, claims throughout his career he was exposed to hazardous substances. As a result, he alleges he has developed the lung disease asbestosis, which has diminished his enjoyment of life and reduced his life expectancy.

"Plaintiff has been informed by his physicians that as a result of his occupational exposure to the harmful and/or hazardous substances with which he was required to work with he is at a significantly increased risk of developing various other medical ailments including, but not limited to, progressive lung disease, bronchogenic carcinomas (including mesothelioma) and gastro-intestinal carcinomas," the suit states.

In addition, Williams claims he has suffered extreme fear, nervousness, mental anguish and distress because of his disease.

The plaintiff is seeking unspecified actual and special damages, plus interest, costs and other relief the court deems proper.

He is represented by J. Kirkland Sammons of Vasquez and Sammons in Houston.

The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

Jefferson County District Court case number: D183-674.