The railroad industry is an inherently dangerous place to work. Speeding trains, heavy equipment, toxic chemicals, and loud noises can all injure railroad workers in a sudden accident or over the course of time. For more than 50 years, the dedicated FELA accident attorneys at our firm in Phoenix have been helping those injured, including rail workers and their families, recover full and fair compensation.
FELA Benefits for Injured Train and Railroad Workers
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) was enacted in recognition of the dangers inherent in the railroad industry. It is designed to protect and compensate railroad workers injured on the job.
FELA provides the same kind of insurance protection for railroad workers that workers compensation does for workers in other industries. FELA benefits are generally much higher than workers compensation benefits, but they are harder to obtain. Injured workers must prove that the employing railroad company or its agents, contractors, or other employees were at least partly negligent in causing the injury. Railroad workers may also be compensated by FELA benefits if they are injured by defective, poorly maintained, or negligently operated equipment.
What Happens when a Railroad Worker is Partly at Fault?
FELA uses a system of pure comparative negligence to determine whether an injured railroad worker was partly negligent and whether the worker should receive benefits. Under this system, a jury determines the proportion of fault of each responsible party, and the amount of compensation is awarded based on the percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $10,000 in damages from a train accident, but the jury determines you were 40% at fault in causing your injuries, your damages are reduced by 40% to $6,000.
Injuries from Railroad Accidents
As AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® attorneys, and having a Senior Partner who is a Certified Specialist by the State Bar of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization in personal injury and wrongful death litigation, we have the experience to successful advance the cases of our clients, including those matters that are highly complex such as those involving FELA law. Our injury lawyers in Phoenix represent injured railroad workers in seeking full compensation for a broad range of injuries including:
- Bodily injuries from working on trains or in the railroad yard, including brain injuries, spinal cord and back injuries, amputations and burn injuries
- Toxic exposure injuries, including mesothelioma, asbestos-related diseases and brain injuries caused by chemical exposure
- Repetitive stress injuries, including neck and back injuries
- Hearing loss
Learn How We Can Help You and Your Family
To learn more about the compensation opportunities available, please contact us online today or call (602) 254-6071 for a free, no-obligation initial consultation. There is no fee to us unless you receive compensation.