TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Legal Newsline) - After an incident on the tracks, an engineer was pressured to sign documents and then wrongfully terminated, a Florida lawsuit says.
Shane Burton, a former employee of Florida Gulf & Atlantic Railroad LLC, filed a lawsuit Feb. 9 against the company in Leon County Circuit Court.
Burton alleges that he was wrongfully terminated from his position as a Locomotive Engineer after reporting unsafe practices within the company. According to the complaint, Burton is protected under whistleblower laws for refusing to participate in or objecting to these practices.
The lawsuit claims that Burton experienced retaliation and disparate treatment following his reports. Specifically mentioned is Train Master Seth Ruth, who allegedly played a part in this retaliation.
The incident leading to Burton's termination occurred on April 19, 2022. While operating a train carrying around 8,500 tons total weight, Burton had to apply emergency brakes due to an unexpected red signal.
He believes that overgrown vegetation along the track, which he had previously reported as a safety concern, obstructed his view of the signal.
While on a mandatory 30-day suspension, he says Ruth forced him to sign a document and that if he didn't, he would be terminated. Ruth also allegedly threatened to add more infractions if Burton didn't sign the document.
Not long after, Burton was fired over the signal incident. He is represented by Marie Mattox in Tallahassee.