Railroaders have very demanding and dangerous jobs that can lead to acute injuries, such as a broken leg from a fall or tearing a rotator cuff from handling a defective hand brake.
However, railroaders are also vulnerable to injuries that can occur over time. These railroad injuries are cumulative trauma, repetitive stress, or whole-body vibration injuries. Working on the railroad often means exposing your body to frequent vibration from the movement of trains and the tools you must use as part of your job. These constant vibrations can, over time, cause serious injuries. Our FELA lawyer serving Metairie can help you recover compensation for such injuries.
A Metairie FELA railroad accident lawyer from Poolson | Oden Injury Lawyers can take on your employer to protect your right to a safe work environment and a fair settlement. Call today so we can evaluate your case and discuss your legal options during a free consultation.
Rights Granted to Railroad Workers by the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) stipulates that employees of interstate or international railways have the right to collect compensation if they are injured on the job. The Act states that employers have a responsibility to protect employees and should pay financial damages if they fail in that duty.
Under the terms of FELA, you as a railroader have the following rights:
- To file a personal injury claim within three years of the day you were injured
- To file a wrongful death claim after the work-related passing of a close relative
- To recover damages that are commensurate with the injuries and losses you sustained
Types of Compensation Available Under FELA
Your compensation should reflect the different kinds of losses you suffered because of your injury(ies). Our FELA railroad body vibration attorneys serving Metairie can ask for compensation to cover:
- Your medical expenses for seeing a doctor (or multiple doctors) to treat your injury
- Wages or job benefits lost because of the injury
- Wages, job benefits, or jobs likely lost in the future due to the injury
- The physical pain and emotional distress of dealing with a vibration-related injury
- Injury-related disability, e.g., if you are no longer able to move as freely or use certain parts of your body in all the ways you once did
Railroad Injury Claims and Retaliation
Again, you have every right to file a FELA claim. Under the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA), your employer cannot fire you or otherwise try to punish or threaten you for seeking compensation for your workplace injury.
If you believe your employer has retaliated against you due to your FELA claim, a railroad retaliation FRSA lawyer from our law firm can protect your rights.
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Your Right to Hire a FELA Railroad Body Vibration Attorney Serving Metairie
In addition to the rights outlined above, you also have the right to consult and retain the services of a legal professional who can represent you in your case. Hiring Designated Legal Counsel FELA railroad body vibration lawyer serving Metairie offers several advantages:
- You can focus on getting medical care and looking after your family while we do the legal work.
- You do not have to face the railroad carrier by yourself.
- You always have someone to turn to for support, advice, information, and suggestions.
What Do Designated Legal Counsel Metairie Railroad Injury Lawyers Do?
Even attorneys who deal extensively with workplace accident cases do not always have experience with FELA. This is a very unique law that requires a specific set of experience—experience that Poolson | Oden Injury Lawyers possess. We can:
- Investigate the cause of your injury and determine which party or parties are at fault
- Provide documentation on the total value of your injury, from past losses to projected future impacts on your life
- Write and send a demand letter to the liable party, explaining the purpose of your lawsuit and submit information of your right to compensation
- Negotiate with the carrier and its claims department until they agree to offer you a fair settlement that will support you and your family
- Prepare for trial as necessary, ensuring your case ends up in the right venue for your case
- Represent you at the trial by delivering arguments, questioning witnesses, and submitting trial exhibits
Our Railroad Injury Lawyers Work Hard for Metairie Clients
Our law firm has a full team that includes an intake specialist, consultation team, trial attorneys, case managers, and field representative(s) to work on every aspect of your case. We have recovered more than $25 million in the past five years, so you can depend on us to accurately assess your case’s value and demand the railroad carrier reimburse you for the right amount.
Poolson | Oden Injury Lawyers also make a point of staying in touch with clients from start to finish. Clients can expect to receive regular case updates and legal advice from us.
Contact our office to learn more about the legal services we provide to injured workers and how we can help you.
The Effects of Exposure to Body Vibration on Railroad Workers
It is inevitable that railroad workers will be exposed to vibrations at some point. However, chronic exposure—especially without adequate protection or training—can lead to debilitating injuries.
Whole-Body Vibration and Railroad Work
A 2021 study from Animal Models and Experimental Medicine reported that whole-body vibration exposure is linked to several health problems, including back pain and spinal issues. Such problems can make it very difficult for you to do your job and may even lead to further deterioration in your health over time.
Tool-Related Vibration and Railroad Work
In addition to whole-body vibration, hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) can affect those who frequently use power tools. HAVS causes symptoms like tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands or fingers.
The risk of HAVS increases if the employee’s tools are not well maintained or if the employee is not trained in the correct use of the tool. Our railroad injury lawyers can help you get the compensation you need for both HAVS and whole-body vibration exposure.
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Hear from other clients who have been through this journey you are on:
“Never thought I’d need a lawyer. I was wrong. I’ve never heard much good about lawyers. I was very nervous about the whole process but Carisa and the rest of the team were very professional. They actually seemed to care about me as well as my case. I definitely would and have recommended them to others. They made a miserable experience a little more bearable.” Travis Lee, Google Review
“These guys are the real deal. I had hired a different firm to handle my FELA case originally and was extremely disappointed. I fired that firm and hired Poolson and Oden. It was a night and day difference; a immediate difference. These guys are just flat out good at what they do!” John McBride, Google Review
At Poolson | Oden Injury Lawyers, protecting others is our top priority. Our Metairie FELA railroad body vibration lawyer will do everything possible to protect your rights throughout your railroad injury claim.
Call today so we can provide you with a free consultation and get to work on your case without charging any upfront attorney’s fees.