FRESNO — A widow is suing Union Pacific, alleging negligence and failure to warn of the dangerous substances in the workplace led to the death of her husband.
Arlene Jones, as personal representative of the estate of Elvin Jones, deceased filed a complaint Nov. 27 in Fresno County Superior Court against The Union Pacific Railroad Company, as successor to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company, and Does 1 through 50, alleging violation of Federal Employers' Liability Act.
According to the complaint, on June 23, 2015, Elvin Jones died of non-small cell lung cancer caused, in whole or in part, by exposure to silica dust, red lead, creosote, polycyclic, asbestos, vapors, mists and liquid while working as a carpenter, painter and foreman for Union Pacific. Arlene Jones says her husband, who worked for Union Pacific from 1966 to 1993, was unaware of the ultra-hazardous nature of the substances he was exposed to in the workplace.
The plaintiff alleges Union Pacific failed to provide employees with a reasonably safe place where to work and failed to warn employees of the true nature and hazardous effects of the substances they were exposed to regularly.
Arlene Jones seeks trial by jury, damages, interest at the legal rate, court fees and costs, and all other relief the court deems proper and just. She is represented by attorneys H. Ty Kharazi and Arash Arjang of Yarra Law Group in Fresno.
Fresno County Superior Court case number 17CECG04084