Railroad work in Shreveport is demanding and dangerous, and when you’re injured on the job, the stakes are high. At Poolson | Oden, our team stands with railroad workers who need experienced representation under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). Unlike typical workplace injuries, FELA claims require proof of fault—and the railroad companies come prepared to fight.
If you need a Shreveport FELA railroad accident lawyer, we’re ready to push back with the law, the facts, and the right team behind you.
Our Shreveport FELA on-duty railroad accident lawyers have helped injured rail workers across Louisiana, the Gulf South, and the entire country protect their rights and recover the compensation they deserve. Call today for a free consultation.
Common On-Duty Railroad Accidents in Shreveport
Working for the railroad in Shreveport means long hours, dangerous conditions, and heavy equipment, all of which increase the risk of serious injury.
Whether you’re a conductor, engineer, signal maintainer, carman, laborer or yard worker, you face hazards that most people never encounter on the job.
Under the FELA, you have the right to hold the railroad carrier as your employer accountable if their negligence contributed to your injury.
At Poolson | Oden, our Shreveport railroad injury lawyers have helped rail workers injured in a wide range of on-duty accidents, including:
- Switching and coupling accidents: Crushing injuries and limb trauma often result when railcars are moved without proper warning or equipment checks.
- Falls from trains or elevated surfaces: Inadequate lighting, lack of handrails, or slippery surfaces can lead to serious head, spine, and orthopedic injuries.
- Equipment and machinery failures: Faulty brakes, worn-out tools, or poorly maintained locomotives often point to employer neglect.
- Crossing accident: Railroad failing to maintain safe crossings, provide adequate warnings, or address known hazards that directly contribute to the injuries. Railroads have a legal duty to ensure that crossings are properly maintained and safe for railroad workers performing their duties.
- Track defects and unsafe yard conditions: Debris, gaps, and unstable walking areas can cause preventable slip, trip, and fall injuries.
- Exposure to toxic substances: Long-term exposure to diesel exhaust, solvents, and asbestos can lead to respiratory issues or occupational disease.
- Repetitive motion and overexertion injuries: Shoulder, back, and joint damage often develop over time but are still covered under FELA if caused by unsafe practices or tools.
These incidents are not just part of the job; they are often the result of employer negligence. If you were injured while working in or around the Shreveport rail yards, our firm is here to help you pursue full compensation under the law.
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Proving Liability Under the FELA
Unlike traditional workers’ compensation, the FELA is not automatic; you must prove that the railroad’s negligence played a role in your injury.
That’s where our legal team comes in. At Poolson | Oden, our Shreveport personal injury lawyers build every case around the law, the medical facts, and proof that shows exactly how your employer failed to protect you.
Under the FELA, a railroad company can be held liable for a wide range of failures, including:
- Unsafe work conditions (e.g., debris in walkways, faulty track equipment)
- Lack of proper training or supervision
- Failure to enforce safety protocols
- Inadequate inspection or maintenance of tools, trains, or infrastructure
- Failure to provide appropriate equipment for the task
Our legal team uses visual tools, expert analysis, and detailed case preparation to show the full picture of your case and your injuries.
We investigate incident reports, examine maintenance logs, consult with liability and medical professionals, and take statements from witnesses and coworkers, and investigate the scene to best prepare your case for compensation.
This prep work allows us to push hard against the company’s defense and pursue top-dollar outcomes at trial or in settlement. Call our firm now to get started with our team.
How Our FELA Lawyers Support Injured Railroad Workers in Shreveport
At Poolson | Oden, we don’t just take on your case; we build a team around you. Injured railroad workers deserve more than just legal representation.
You deserve guidance, medical support, strategic insight, and constant communication. That’s exactly what we provide.
Every client is backed by a coordinated group of professionals who work together to deliver results:
- Welcome Specialist: Your first point of contact, ensuring prompt response and clear communication from the start, even when they’re away from the desk, thanks to our smartphone messaging system.
- Medical Records Coordinator: Because “Legal Follows Medical,” we want you to focus on healing first. Once you’re stabilized, we use your medical records to build the strongest case possible.
- Case Manager: Your day-to-day contact will keep everything organized and moving forward.
- Trial Attorneys: We prepare every case as if it’s going to trial. That preparation puts pressure on the railroad companies and helps us recover top-dollar results.
- Field Representative: Our field team gets boots on the ground to meet with you, gather evidence, and make sure your needs are being met.
We go where the best chances of success are, selecting the right venue and jurisdiction, and implementing jury panel research and focus groups to learn more about juries local to your court.
This level of preparation allows us to give our clients the best chance against big railroad companies.
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What Damages Can You Recover Under FELA?
Under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, injured railroad workers are entitled to far more than just basic medical coverage.
Unlike workers’ compensation, the FELA allows you to pursue full compensation for the harm you’ve suffered, including your long-term physical, emotional, and financial losses. These may include:
- Medical Expenses: This includes emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and any future medical treatment you may need.
- Lost Wages: You can recover income lost while you’re unable to work as a result of your injury.
- Loss of Future Earning Capacity: If your injury prevents you from returning to full-duty work or leads to early retirement, you may be compensated for the long-term impact on your earning potential.
- Pain and Suffering: You may be entitled to compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident and your recovery.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: If your injury interferes with your ability to enjoy hobbies, relationships, or daily activities, you can pursue damages for that loss.
- Permanent Disability or Disfigurement: Compensation may be available for life-altering conditions such as amputations, spinal injuries, or visible disfigurement.
The FELA does not cap the amount of damages you can recover. If we prove that the railroad’s negligence contributed to your injury, even in the smallest way, you have the right to seek full compensation.
At our firm, we don’t settle for less than you deserve. Our Shreveport team fights for every dollar the law allows—and we’re prepared to go to trial to get it.
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Don’t Get Railroaded®. – Call Now to Protect Your Rights
If you were hurt while working for the railroad in Shreveport, you don’t have time to wait. Under 45 U.S.C. § 56, you have just three years from the date of your injury (or the date you discovered it) to file a claim. If you miss that deadline, you may lose your right to recover compensation forever.
At Poolson | Oden, we’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. Our Shreveport FELA on-duty railroad accident lawyers understand what’s at stake, and we build each case with one goal: to protect you and pursue every dollar the law allows.
You’ve done your job. Now let us do ours. Call today for a free consultation.