The railroad is one of the most dangerous places in America you can work. The risks are ever-present and numerous, and every year thousands of workers are injured or killed during standard work operations. If you have been injured while working on the railroad, you may be entitled to financial compensation – and you are absolutely entitled to seek justice.
Will The Law Cover My Railroad Injury?
Much like how the Jones Act covers maritime injuries, there is a specific statute of laws designed to protect the rights of railroad workers who are hurt during the course of their employment. Known as the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (or FELA), the statute was passed in the early 1900s in an effort by the U.S. Congress to protect the rights of railroaders who are injured or fall ill during the course of their employment. Speaking to the policy underlying the laws, in 1949 the Supreme Court clarified that “(i)t was designed to put on the . . . industry some of the costs for the legs, eyes, arms, and lives . . . consumed in its operations.”
Thousands of court decisions over the decades have interpreted FELA to bring it to its present state, wherein any negligence on the part of the railway carrier which causes or contributes to an employee’s injury or illness, however slightly, is sufficient to base liability on. In layman’s terms, this means the law ensures that the carrier is fully responsible for any injury that can even be partially considered the fault of the carrier through negligence or laziness.
What Are Some Of The Most Common Railroad or Train Accident Injuries?
Although less common because of additional safety measures, new equipment and better training, train injuries do still happen. Common injuries and causes include:
- Crushing Injuries
- Burns
- Crashes
- Derailments
- Improperly maintained tracks and equipment
- Negligence on the part of other employees
And many more. The full list of injuries can go on and on, but the fact of the matter is that railroads can be a deeply dangerous place to work, and your injuries deserve justice.
What Can I Do If I Am A Victim Of A Railroad Accident?
Any railroad accident is a possible cause for litigation. If you have been injured while working on the railroad anywhere in the United States, you need the help of O’Bryan Law.
Although located in Michigan, O’Bryan Law practices all across the United States to fight for your rights no matter where you work. We’re admitted to the bar in many areas, and in areas where we are not we can partner with local lawyers on a case by case basis. However you were hurt on the railroad and wherever you might have been working, trust O’Bryan Law to fight for the justice you deserve.
