Union Pacific Railroad & FELA Claims

Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) consists of a massive network of routes that service much of the western and central U.S. (particularly west of Chicago and New Orleans).

UPRR was founded in 1862 and is the largest and oldest railroad network operating in the U.S.

Despite its legacy of providing employment and transportation to Americans for over a century, however, the Union Pacific Railroad Company has and continues to uniquely endanger its workforce, as UPRR employees (or any railroad employees, for that matter) regularly face dangers including (but not limited to):

  • equipment failure
  • exposure to toxins
  • heavy cargo loads (that can increase the time a train needs to properly brake)
  • track defects
  • use of heavy machinery

Given such specific threats (that don't generally affect workers in other industries), a distinct law – known as the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) – protects UPRR employees should they be:

  • injured on the job
  • able to prove their injuries were caused or worsened by an employer's, co-worker's or equipment manufacturer's negligence or recklessness

Injured Union Pacific Railroad workers can learn more about their legal rights and find out if they are entitled to a settlement for their injuries and losses by meeting with an experienced FELA lawyer for a free initial consultation.

Types of Union Pacific Railroad Accidents

The following are just some of the factors that can contribute to railroad accidents and entitle railroads to Union Pacific Railroad claims:

  • 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

Some of the most common injuries sustaining after such Union Pacific Railroad accidents include (but aren't limited to):

  • back and neck injuries
  • burns
  • crushing injuries
  • disfigurement
  • electrocutions
  • fractures
  • loss of limbs
  • permanent disabilities
  • traumatic brain injury
  • shoulder injuries
  • knee injuries
  • death

It's vital that injured Union Pacific Railroad employees seek emergency medical care, following a railroad accident, to prevent further damage to their health and in more severe cases, death.

Meeting with a Union Pacific Railroad Accident Injury Lawyer

Once an injured UPRR employee has stabilized his health, it's also essential that he meet with an experienced FELA lawyer to:

  • Learn more about his/her legal rights
  • Get a thorough evaluation of his/her case
  • Find out if he/she is entitled to a settlement via a FELA lawsuit
  • Learn more about the process associated with securing a FELA settlement
  • Obtain expert advice regarding the best manner in which to pursue his/her claim
  • Secure aggressive, professional representation for future legal proceedings

In most cases, FELA settlements will be greater than compensation provided via traditional workers' compensation laws.

Have you or a loved one been injured while working for the Union Pacific Railroad Company? If so, contact a FELA attorney who will evaluate your case and help you recover the compensation you deserve.