Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Workers & FELA Compensation

Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) is among the largest freight railroads in the U.S.

BNSF was founded in 1996 with the merger of the Atchinson, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway companies. As the largest transporter of intermodal freight (cargo that is transported via various modes, including ship), BNSF is one of only four remaining transcontinental railroads in the U.S. Currently, the Union Pacific Railroad Company is its primary competitor.

Although BNSF plays a pivotal role in transporting goods and providing employment, it is also responsible for increasing the chances that its workers will be seriously injured or killed on the job. Exposure to toxins, regular use of heavy machinery and equipment defects are just some of the factors that can endanger BNSF railroad workers.

To compensate for such elevated dangers, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) stipulates that injured railroad workers will be entitled to sizable settlements, should they be injured while working and should their injuries result from an employer's, co-worker's or equipment manufacturer's negligence or recklessness.

Injured BNSF employees can learn more about their legal rights by meeting with an experienced FELA lawyer.

Common BNSF Railroad Accidents

The significant weight of trains and their cargo, as well as the speeds at which they travel, can elevate the risk that BNSF workers will be injured on the job.

Common BNSF accidents include (but aren't limited to):

  • collisions
  • derailments
  • highway-rail incidents (in which interaction between a railroad and a highway passenger occurs on the track or at a crossing)
  • human error (which can be caused by improper training, negligence or recklessness)
  • signal and/or equipment defects
  • track defects
  • trespassing

The Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis reports that nearly 2,500 railroad accidents occurred in the first three months of 2009. Such tragedies resulted in 150 deaths and over 1,600 injuries.

Railroad Injuries

When a BNSF train accident occurs, it's likely to cause severe injury and/or death. Fractures, traumatic brain injuries, lost limbs, devastating burns, and back and neck injuries are among the most common injuries experienced by BNSF workers. In most cases, due to the severity of railroad injuries, they are incurable and, as a result, require long-term (if not lifelong) treatment.

When to Meet with a BNSF Accident Injury Lawyer

After receiving emergency medical care and stabilizing their health, injured Burlington Northern Santa Fe workers should meet with an experienced FELA lawyer with the experienced needed to help them recover the money they need to pay for any necessary long-term treatment costs, medical bills and other damages.

Have you or a loved one been injured while working for the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway? If so, contact us today to talk to an experienced FELA attorney who has the knowledge, compassion and experience to help you.