Opinion ID: 1890354
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: John Newell Claim

Text: CSX filed a motion in limine to preclude any testimony or reference to solvent claims and exposures of other railroad employees. The motion sought specifically to preclude both a 1978 injury report by John Newell, who claimed to suffer health problems after being exposed to Dow Cleaner, and the 1980 deposition of Tyrone Green in Newell's case. CSX argued at the hearing that Newell's exposure and symptoms were not substantially similar to Moody's. It conceded that it knew acute dizziness and headaches could result from an overexposure to solvents at the time of Moody's exposure but asserted that it did not know an overexposure could cause toxic encephalopathy. Moody asserted that Newell's exposure as a service attendant was substantially similar to his own. He argued that CSX planned to call its industrial hygienist to testify that service attendants were not overexposed to dangerous chemicals and did not require protective measures. Yet, Newell's injury and 1980 lawsuit put CSX on notice that a service attendant became ill from overexposure to dangerous chemicals while working in the South Louisville shops. The trial court denied CSX's motion but warned Moody that he must show a substantial similarity with respect to evidence concerning any other worker or risk a mistrial. The record indicates that the court did not abuse its discretion when admitting the evidence. [19] Moody offered evidence at trial showing a substantial similarity between his exposure and symptoms and those of Green and Newell. The record indicates that Newell became ill and was treated at the hospital for an overexposure to Dowclene while working as a service attendant at the South Louisville shops in 1978. His symptoms included abdominal pain and vomiting as well as dizziness. Green's 1980 deposition indicated that he and Newell used Dowclene together in the South Louisville shops; that they used Dowclene during the same period and in the same manner as Moody; and that they experienced some of the same symptoms as Moody. Green testified that he had worked as a service attendant at the South Louisville shops since 1974 and observed Newell experiencing nausea on several occasions when using Dowclene. He stated that Dowclene came in fifty-gallon drums and that he used it often, spraying it with a compressed air tank and hose or pouring it on parts and machinery that he wanted to clean. The chemical irritated his skin and caused him to be nauseated. Like Moody, he took frequent fresh-air breaks to avoid the fumes. Green stated that his symptoms lingered after he stopped using Dowclene; that he was never given any protective equipment; that he complained to his foreman about Dowclene's effects; and that he knew of no one who inhaled Dowclene who did not complain of symptoms like his own.