Canadian National (CN) Railway
Currently referred to as Canadian National (CN), the Canadian National Railway is the largest railroad system in Canada. With tracks that span from the Atlantic to the Pacific, CN services all but two Canadian provinces – the exceptions being Newfoundland & Labrador and Prince Edward Island – as well as seven U.S. states, mainly those along the Mississippi River. The Canadian National Railway has been active for over 90 years and, in 2008, it generated over $21 billion USD in revenue. CN is a public company that staffs roughly 22,000 employees.
Despite its efficiency, prominence and growing popularity as a railroad company, Canadian National Railway's reputation has been spotted with a number of controversies, particularly those related to train accidents and railroad employee deaths. Though CN's safety management system has significantly improved over the years, many of the company's workers have been seriously injured or killed on-the-job due to railroad accidents involving:
- Collisions
- Derailments
- Equipment failure
- Exposure to toxins
- Failure to comply with federal train safety regulations
- Human error
- Lack of safety training and/or equipment
- Repetitive stress injuries
Injured CN employees, as well as families of deceased CN employees, will most likely have a viable legal claim. Injured railroad workers are protected under the terms of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).
What is FELA?
Established in 1908, the Federal Employers Liability Act is a statute that specifically protects railroad employees if they are:
- Injured while working
- Able to prove that their injuries were caused or intensified by another individual's or a corporation's negligence and/or recklessness
FELA was initially established when, in a speech to Congress, President Benjamin Harrison pointed out the dangers of working in the railroad industry. According to this piece of legislation, injured railroad workers will be entitled to compensation for their injuries and losses.
Working with a FELA Lawyer
If you or a loved one has been injured (or a loved one has been killed) while working for Canadian National Railway, you will be entitled to file a FELA lawsuit and seek a settlement for your injuries and losses. During a complimentary consult, a highly qualified FELA attorney will:
- Inform you of your legal rights
- Thoroughly evaluate your case
- Advise you on the best manner in which to pursue your claim, based on your needs and circumstances
Contact a qualified FELA attorney to discuss your individual circumstances with a legal professional at Gordon & Elias, L.L.P. today. We provide FREE CASE EVALUTIONS for all injured railroad employees and their families.