Canadian Pacific Railway & FELA Claims

Also referred to as CP Rail, Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) is a Class I railroad system that operates from Vancouver and Montreal to Minneapolis, Chicago and New York City. CPR is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta and was first built between 1881 and 1885, making it Canada's first transcontinental railway.

Primarily a freight railway, CPR is operated by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited and is currently the largest, most powerful railway in Canada. CPR staffs more than 15,000 employees and generated roughly $7 billion in 2008.

Risks for CPR Workers

Although it is a prospering corporation, Canadian Pacific Railway does have a dark side, particularly when it comes to the risks its employees face on the job. From track defects to collisions to human error, such factors increase the likelihood of railroad accidents and, consequently, have earned the railroad industry a reputation for being particularly dangerous.

Railroad employees who are injured while working for Canadian Pacific Railway or another major railroad company have legal recourse for seeking compensation for their injuries and losses. Since 1908, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) has entitled injured railroad workers to monetary compensation for their injuries as long as they can prove:

  • Their injuries occurred while working for Canadian Pacific Railway (or any other railroad company)
  • Their injuries resulted from the negligence or recklessness of an employer, co-worker or equipment manufacturer

Types of Railroad Accidents & Associated Injuries

Railroad accidents can result from a variety of different circumstances, including (not limited to):

  • heavy cargo loads
  • speeding trains
  • equipment malfunctions, such as brake or engine failure
  • track defects
  • collisions
  • derailments
  • highway-rail incidents (which between trains and any other entity at train crossings)
  • human error, including carelessness, recklessness or lack of experience

From January to July of 2009 alone, there were roughly 31 accidents among CPR employees, totaling more than $2 million in equipment damage. Injuries sustained in such incidents can range in severity and may include:

  • bone fractures
  • concussions
  • electrocutions
  • loss of limb
  • loss of vision and/or hearing
  • para- or quadriplegia
  • traumatic brain injury
  • spinal cord injury
  • wrongful death

FELA Settlements and CPR Workers

Those injured while working for CPR or any other railway company should consult an experienced FELA attorney once their health is stable. During this meeting, injured parties can:

  • Learn more about their legal rights and entitlements
  • Get answers to their questions about FELA and the upcoming legal process
  • Get expert advice regarding how to proceed with their case

At Gordon & Elias, our experienced FELA lawyers represent CPR employees and railroad workers across the nation. We have the experience and knowledge it takes to conduct a thorough analysis of your accident claim and will fight aggressively to ensure you recover the maximum compensation you are entitled to under FELA law.

For information about your specific claim, contact a FELA attorney at Gordon & Elias today.