Workplace hazards have always been par for the course for railroad workers in California and across the country. This is underscored by the numbers of Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) injury claims that are filed each year. Although improving the safety of...
Image from an actual HMN case, reproduced with permission
Fela Injury Claims
FELA injury claims: Hit-and-run driver injures railroad worker
Railroad construction workers in California and across the country face multiple work-related hazards. The risks increase when construction on railroad tracks occurs where the workers are also threatened by vehicular traffic. The threat was underscored by an incident...
Railroad workers might need help to navigate FELA injury claims
When railroad workers in California and other states suffer work-related injuries, they are typically eligible for financial assistance under the Federal Employers Liability Act. However, navigating the claims process could be challenging, and a worker's case can be...
Long derailment investigation comes to a close
Injuries that railroad workers suffer in California or other states fall under a law called the Federal Employers' Liability Act, or "FELA." This law permits workers to recover compensation for financial as well as non-economic losses. However, full recovery...
What role does negligence play in a FELA claim?
Railroad workers in California cannot make claims under workers' compensation when injured on the job. Instead, they make a claim under the Federal Employers' Liability Act. FELA provides far greater remedies and benefits than workers' compensation law. However, in an...
Holding big railroad businesses responsible
Both the implementation of the railways in California and the maintenance of their daily operations rank among the greatest feats of human engineering and ingenuity. If you have ever worked in the railroad industry, then you probably know that the immense forces...
What is the biggest danger to rail workers?
While there are many dangerous things about working for a railroad, the biggest danger may surprise you. It is not any of the equipment or the actual travel along the rails. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the biggest danger for rail...
What are your employer’s responsibilities under FELA?
Railroad employees face a greater risk of injury than workers in most other professions. This is why Congress enacted the Federal Employers Liability Act in 1908. The government provides this coverage to all railroad employees around the country...
Are one-man crews dangerous?
The freight railroads would have the public believe that operating massive freight trains with a "one-man crew" is perfectly safe.According to NBC News, the railroads want to operate their trains with a one-person crew. They want only the engineer to have to be aboard...
What is the law about railroad crews using mobile devices?
Everyone is aware of the laws regarding using mobile devices when driving a vehicle on California roadways. However, are there any rules for workers on trains? These are also vehicles, but traditional road laws do not apply because they are not traveling on roadways....