Idaho FELA Attorney

In a roundabout way, Idaho railroads owe their first line’s beginning to the secession of the Southern States and the Civil War. It was clear that extending the railroads to the western part of the United States was essential to continue the great expansion of railroads, commerce, establishment of new settlements, and movement of people and goods across the country.

But politicians from the North and South could not agree on where to begin the route. They all wanted the rails to originate in their own territory. It was not until the South seceded that Congress passed the Pacific Railroad Act of 1862, establishing a transcontinental railroad that would link the eastern part of the country with California. The route was scheduled to cross the new Idaho Territory.

To their dismay, the citizens of Idaho were not to have access to the first Union Pacific (UP) transcontinental line because the company management did not want to pay to build a line into the six-year-old Territory of Idaho. UP officials said there would not be enough people and commerce in the new territory to make building such a track practical.

It was the Utah-Northern Railroad that incorporated in 1871 and extended 74 miles just over the Utah border to Franklin, Idaho Territory, in 1874. The railroad was eventually extended to Montana. Today it is part of the UP. Idaho railroad tracks today cover over 1600 miles.

FELA

Building and running the railroads was a dangerous occupation for the railroad workers. So dangerous, in fact, that in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, hundreds of workers were being injured and killed during the course of their work. Public outrage grew over increasing injury and mortality among the workers. That and the pressure of the railway workers labor unions prompted Congress to pass the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) of 1908.

Until the passage of FELA, no federal laws protected railroad employees, for they were not covered by the regular workers’ compensation laws. With FELA, the railroad companies were now liable for paying workers injured on the job.

Injuries common among railway workers are:

  • Crushing injuries
  • Broken arms and legs
  • Injuries to the joints, wrists, ankles, elbows and shoulders
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Disfigurement and dismemberment
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Repetitive motion injuries
  • Spinal Cord Injuries
  • Injuries from exposure to toxic fumes and poisonous substances

Contact an Idaho FELA Lawyer Today

An Idaho FELA attorney can help you or a family member recover damages from injury on a railroad job. Our FELA lawyers are the most experienced in interpreting the complex laws regulating railway accidents and bringing their clients the compensation they are due. For information about your potential case, contact a railroad accident injury attorney today.