An amputation can upend your entire way of life. When that loss is the result of unsafe conditions on the railroad, you may have legal rights under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). Our Lafayette FELA railroad accident amputation lawyers represent workers whose lives have been permanently altered by preventable injuries on the job. Whether the cause was defective equipment, poor supervision, or ignored safety protocols, we build cases that clearly connect negligence to the harm you’ve suffered.
At Poolson | Oden, we don’t just file claims. We coordinate with your doctors, dig into railroad records, and assemble the facts that drive serious compensation for serious injuries. You get a full team behind you, all focused on helping you move forward with stability and dignity. Call for a free consultation to see how our Lafayette FELA railroad accident lawyers can help you now.
Working Conditions Are Especially Dangerous When an Employer Is Negligent
Lafayette plays a key role in Louisiana’s rail network, connecting workers to major freight corridors, switching yards, and maintenance zones. But in an industry built on heavy equipment, tight schedules, and constant movement, the margin for error is thin—and when safety takes a back seat, the consequences are permanent.
Our Lafayette railroad injury lawyers have seen how preventable hazards lead to amputations: uninspected machinery, outdated equipment, improperly trained crews, or shortcuts taken during high-pressure operations. These aren’t isolated events; they’re warning signs that were ignored until someone got hurt.
The FELA gives railroaders the right to seek compensation when the railroad’s negligence contributes to an injury. That includes not just what happened in the moment, but what should have been done to prevent it: enforcing safety protocols, maintaining equipment, staffing jobs properly, and responding to known risks. When railroads fail to protect their workers, the results aren’t just serious—they’re life-changing.
How We Build FELA Cases That Stand Up in Court
As our Lafayette personal injury lawyers well know, not all injury claims are created equal. If you lost a limb working on the railroad, your case doesn’t fall under traditional workers’ compensation—it’s governed by the FELA, a federal law that requires you to prove the railroad was at least partly at fault. That means your legal team must do more than just show you were hurt; they have to show why it happened and how the railroad could have prevented it.
FELA cases often involve complex fact patterns, competing narratives, and railroad companies with deep resources pushing back hard. These aren’t situations where paperwork alone leads to fair compensation. They demand investigation, strategy, and the ability to build a clear story for judges and juries.
Poolson | Oden prepares every case for court from the start. We work with liability experts and extensively investigate and research the accident to uncover negligence and connect the dots between what went wrong and what you lost. That approach gives our clients the leverage they need to Stay on Track™.
Don’t Get Railroaded ®
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today to Get Back On The Right Track.
What Compensation Looks Like After a Railroad Amputation
Railroad work is physical by nature. When you lose a hand, foot, arm, or leg, it’s not just a medical crisis; it’s a disruption of everything that makes your job, your income, and your daily routine possible. The FELA allows injured workers to recover compensation that reflects the scale of that disruption, not just the immediate medical costs. In these cases, damages often include:
- Medical expenses related to emergency care, prosthetics, rehabilitation, and long-term treatment
- Lost wages, including time off during recovery and periods of restricted duty
- Diminished earning potential, especially when a return to rail work isn’t realistic
- Pain and suffering, based on the physical toll and lasting trauma
- Loss of quality of life, from reduced independence to emotional strain
Our Lafayette FELA railroad accident amputation attorneys don’t rely on formulas or guesswork. We build damages around what recovery actually means for you based on what’s changed, what’s no longer possible, and what it will take to regain stability.
Under 45 U.S.C. § 56, you generally have three years from the date of injury to take legal action for FELA cases. That window closes faster than most realize, especially when you’re focused on healing.
What Railroaders Should Know About Amputations and Legal Action
No two injuries are exactly alike, but many amputations in rail work share a common thread: they were preventable. These life-altering injuries are often the result of unsafe decisions, overlooked maintenance, or violations of established safety rules.
Common causes include:
- Crush injuries during switching or coupling operations
- Falls between railcars due to missing or faulty safety equipment
- Malfunctioning tools or heavy machinery with no inspection history
- Improper staffing or supervision during hazardous tasks
- Lack of training for new or reassigned crew members
- Getting On Off Moving Equipment (“GOOME”) incidents happen when workers are caught, crushed, or trapped by moving rail equipment, leading to the loss of fingers, arms, legs, or other body parts
When a railroad fails to take basic steps to keep its workers safe, the results can be catastrophic. But in the aftermath, many injured workers don’t know where to turn or what to avoid. Here’s what to do if you’ve suffered a railroad injury on the job:
- Seek medical care immediately and follow all treatment recommendations
- Don’t give recorded statements to the railroad or its insurance representatives without guidance from a lawyer or union representative
- Write down what happened as soon as possible, while the details are fresh
- Gather any witness names and note the equipment or location involved
- Contact our Lafayette FELA railroad accident amputation attorneys early—before evidence disappears or deadlines start to close in
Poolson | Oden can take over the investigation, help protect your rights, and guide you through every step of the recovery process.
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Don’t Get Railroaded®. – Our Lafayette FELA Railroad Accident Amputation Lawyers Are Here to Help You
If you’re dealing with the aftermath of an amputation caused by unsafe conditions on the railroad, you don’t have to carry the burden alone. Our Lafayette FELA railroad accident amputation attorneys are here to help you understand your rights, build a strong claim, and fight for the compensation you need to move forward.
At Poolson | Oden, we represent railroad workers across Lafayette and beyond whose lives have been changed by preventable injuries. We’re ready to investigate your case and help you pursue real accountability. Call us today for a 100% free confidential consultation. There’s no obligation and no fee unless we win for you.