FELA

Railroad accidents and injuries

The Federal Employer's Liability Act is a federal law that provides for benefits to those employees injured around or on trains that are engaged in interstate commerce. Many rules and exceptions apply concerning whether such an injury is covered by this act. Generally, an injured railroad worker under F.E.L.A is entitled to receive damages if the work injury is related to the negligence or a equipment defect, such as the engine, cars or track and if the road he or she works for is involved in interstate commerce. A wide range of work injuries may fall under the umbrella of the Federal Employer’s Liability Act including exposure to toxins, work noise, repetitive stress injuries, as well as many other injuries and traumas occurring on or around trains, such as those involving:

High speed rail collisions
Train derailments
Improper operating practices
Hazardous materials exposure
Improper signaling
Crossing accidents
Highway-rail accidents
Dangerous or unsafe platforms
Railway yard accidents
Injuries aboard moving trains
Assaults
Improper signage

Injured or disabled railroad employees are covered under the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) for compensable injuries, including those employed as:

Trainmasters
Brakemen
Switchmen
Roadmasters
Signal maintenance workers
Carmen
Engineers
Yardmasters
Conductors
Locomotive mechanics

Under F.E.L.A, railroad companies may be held accountable for negligence in failing to:

Enforce regulation and safety rules
Properly prepare for reasonable weather conditions (such as snow removal)
Inspect tools and equipment for safety
Keep the work environment free of hazards
Provide assistance, training, and supervisors within job functions

If your injuries occurred on or around a train or near train tracks, you should immediately consult with a knowledgeable FELA attorney. The lawyers affiliated with Mitchell S. Sexner & Associates LLC hold those parties accountable for the death or injuries that they cause. Our attorneys represent injured clients and surviving family members in cities across Illinois and have years of experience in protecting our client's rights. If you have questions or concerns related to railroad injuries, contact Sexner & Associates LLC 24 hours a day.

Contact us for a free consultation
about your work injury today

or call 800.996.4824