Delaware FELA Attorneys

Delaware had one of the first railroads in the United States, the New Castle and Frenchtown Railroad, that was established in 1832 to connect Chesapeake Bay and the Delaware River. Most of the route no longer exists, except for the length today called the Norfolk Southern.

The state has had a relatively few number of miles of track compared to the other states in the nation, but those railroad companies that have run in Delaware are among the most famous. They are the:

  • Baltimore and Ohio
  • The Pennsylvania Railroad (eventually becoming Penn Central)
  • Reading Railroad

The Penn Central or “Pennsy” had many historic moments, but among them the building of Pennsylvania Station in New York City and the Broadway Limited, renamed in 1912 from the Pennsylvania Special, were among the most celebrated. The fastest passenger train in the U.S. today, the Acela Express, runs through Wilmington.

In 1836, the Delaware General Assembly founded the Delaware Railroad to connect the New Castle and Frenchtown with the state’s southern border. Problems with the economy interfered with completion of the tracks until late 1859, when they finally reached the state line.

The completion of the railroad line and the building of more connections to other areas of the Delmarva peninsula ushered in an age of financial success for the region. The new railroad, with its ability to carry passengers and freight to faraway places and cities in the country, had an enduring effect on the people’s lives in the area.

The Passage of FELA: What it Means in Delaware

The building of the railroads in Delaware had its own problems, however. The dangerous work of railroad construction led to accidents, injuries and even deaths among the workers. Railroad injuries then and today are common among workers

The injuries include:

  • Broken bones and joints
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Head, neck and spine injuries
  • Dismemberment
  • Disfigurement
  • Sickness from toxic fumes and exposure to poisonous substances
  • Pain and suffering
  • Loss of present and future wages

Across the nation, railroad building had grown to frenzy by the late 1800s and early 1900s. From 1889 to 1920, use of the railroads grew six fold. Injuries to the workers increased at a constant rate also. Rail workers were not and today are not covered by workmans’ compensation laws. In 1908, the pressure upon Congress from the public, the railroad workers’ labor unions and even President Theodore Roosevelt resulted in the passage of the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) in 1908.

Our Delaware FELA Lawyers

FELA gives injured railway workers the ability to be compensated by the railroad companies. Tens of millions of dollars have been awarded for such injuries. To receive the fairest judgment and best compensation for injury on the railroad, working with a FELA lawyer is essential. If you or someone you love has been hurt in an on-the-job railroad accident, our attorneys would be pleased to offer you a free consultation. Contact us today by calling (800) 773-6770 or by sending us an email and an experienced FELA law attorney will get back to you promptly.