Railroad Accidents

According to the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Safety Analysis, there were nearly 2,500 railroad accidents in the first quarter of 2009 in the U.S. These incidents caused 150 deaths and over 1,600 injuries.

While a variety of factors can result in railroad injuries, commonly, causes of train accidents include:

  • 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
  • signal and/or equipment defects
  • track defects
  • trespassing

Following any railroad accident, it's crucial that injured parties meet with a FELA lawyer who has extensive experience in representing injured railroad workers.

What is FELA?

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a legal statute that entitles railroad employees to compensation if:

  • They are injured on the job
  • They can prove their injuries resulted from the negligence or recklessness of an employer, co-worker or equipment manufacturer

FELA was first established in 1908 when President Benjamin Harrison likened the harsh conditions of the railroad industry to those of war. In modern times, FELA typically awards injured railroad employees with settlements greater than those awarded via traditional workers' compensation laws. FELA settlements and awards are designed to help injured and disabled railroad workers pay for their medical costs, long-term treatment costs and other losses incurred as a result of a railroad accident.

Railroad Injuries Following Train Accidents

Once a railroad accident occurs, workers may sustain a broad range of injuries, including (but not limited to):

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

How a Railroad Accident Attorney Can Help

Railroad accident attorneys devote much of their practice to helping injured railroad workers and their families recover the compensation they need to get their lives back on track after sustaining an injury in a work-related accident. In cases involving death, railroad accident attorneys can help the surviving family members recover compensation as well.

If you or a loved one has suffered a railroad accident injury or death, it is important to know you have rights. To explore your legal options, please contact us . We provide free consultations and will not charge a fee unless a court award or settlement is reached.

Learn more about other types of railroad injuries and dangers: