Knee & Ankle Injuries

Knee and ankle injuries due to repetitive stress are common among railroad employees. While long periods of sitting can raise the risk of developing knee and ankle injuries, so can:

  • Extended periods of standing
  • Heavy lifting
  • Holding awkward postures for extended periods of time
  • Walking on track ballast (the rocky trackbed on which railroad ties are laid)
  • Whole body vibrations (the transfer of the train's mechanical through the body)

This list is by no means exhaustive.

Given the risk of developing serious injury on-the-job, in 1908, Congress enacted the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) to:

  • Permit railroad workers to collect compensation, should they be injured while working and be able to prove that their employer, co-worker(s) and/or equipment manufacturers contributed to their injuries
  • Allow families of deceased railroad workers to pursue settlements, should their loved one die in the service of a railroad company at the hands of another individual's or corporation's negligence or recklessness

You will likely be entitled to a FELA settlement if you have recently been diagnosed with a cumulative stress injury to your knee or ankle. To learn more about your legal rights, contact the experienced FELA attorneys at Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. today. Because every case has its own unique set of circumstances, it is important to consult a lawyer who will help determine the best strategy for your individual circumstances.

Who Is At Risk?

Railroad employees who have greater chances of developing serious cumulative knee and ankle injuries include (but aren't limited to):

  • Brakemen
  • Car attendants
  • Cargo loaders
  • Porters
  • Railroad conductors and engineers
  • Signal men
  • Switch pullers

Additionally, any railroad worker who regularly walks on track ballast, for extended periods of time, has a significant risk of developing knee and ankle injuries.

Types of Knee & Ankle Injuries

The type of knee or ankle injury that a railroad employee is most likely to sustain will depend on the precise nature of his or her job. Commonly, however, railroad workers will develop any of the following knee and ankle injuries:

  • ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) injuries
  • Bursitis
  • Dislocation
  • Meniscus injuries
  • Stress fractures
  • Tendonitis

Following Diagnosis: Medical & Legal Help

If you or a loved one works for a railroad company and has been diagnosed with a knee or ankle injury resulting from repetitive motion, you should first seek the medical attention necessary to prevent more serious injuries. Following medical treatment, it is important to discuss your concerns with an attorney who has experience handling these types of FELA cases.

Past settlements for repetitive knee and ankle injuries, via FELA, include (but are not limited to):

  • $1.2 million from CSX Transportation due to a knee and ankle injury (Maryland)
  • $1.1 million from Union Pacific Railroad due to a knee injury (Missouri)
  • $500,000 from Union Pacific Railroad due to a knee injury (Arkansas)
  • $450,000 from Northwestern Transportation due to a knee injury (Chicago)

To discuss your own unique circumstances, contact a FELA attorney at Gordon & Elias, L.L.P today.