At Poolson | Oden, our FELA railroad explosion injury lawyers in Baton Rouge understand how hazardous working on the railroad can be. One of the most dangerous things that can occur during a work shift is an explosion. Anyone nearby when an explosion occurs may experience severe burns, penetrating wounds, lacerations, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, amputations, and other serious harm.
If you were injured in an explosion while working on the railroad, our Designated Baton Rouge FELA railroad accident lawyers will ensure you Don’t Get Railroaded®.
We protect our clients from dishonest railroad employers who try to get away with negligent behavior. We will fight for you and ensure you don’t settle for less money than you deserve. To learn more during a free consultation, contact Poolson | Oden today.
Our FELA Railroad Explosion Injury Attorneys in Baton Rouge Have the Experience You Need
Many people don’t like the thought of suing their employer for negligence. However, because railroad workers are not covered by workers’ compensation, filing a lawsuit may be their only option for recovering money to pay their medical bills, cover lost income while they recover, and compensate them for their pain and suffering.
When you turn to Poolson | Oden, you won’t have to worry about facing your employer alone. We’ll be by your side every step of the way and complete all the necessary legal tasks for you to help you Stay on Track™.
Your Baton Rouge railroad injury lawyer won’t let you fall victim to deception or intimidation—we will fight for your fair treatment and demand a settlement that includes every penny you deserve.
Our FELA case results include a $5.75 million recovery for the family of a railroad worker who passed away after suffering severe burn injuries in a train explosion.
We have also helped many other injured railroad workers recover significant settlements and court awards. Don’t leave your FELA case to just any personal injury lawyer—at Poolson | Oden, we’ll put our 80+ years of combined experience to work for you.
Don’t Get Railroaded ®
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today to Get Back On The Right Track.
Dangers, Causes, and Consequences of Railroad Explosions in Baton Rouge
Railroad explosions often occur after a train crash or derailment, especially if the train is carrying explosives or one or more hazardous chemicals like gasoline, crude oil, ethanol, liquefied natural gas, ammonia, chlorine, or radioactive waste.
Common causes of derailments or crashes that can lead to an explosion include:
- Mechanical failures
- Defective train tracks, such as broken or misaligned rails
- Defective train parts, such as faulty wheels or brakes
- Mistakes made by train operators or maintenance crews
- Improper or incomplete inspections
- Debris on the tracks
- Collisions with other vehicles at railroad crossings
When a train explosion occurs, the damage can be catastrophic. In addition to severe or life-threatening injuries to railroad workers, explosions can also result in:
- Health problems resulting from toxic chemical exposure
- Contamination of nearby soil, water, and/or air
- Severe damage to nearby structures
- Business disruption
- Evacuations or displacement of local property owners
Railroad companies and their employees must do everything possible to avoid train explosions caused by negligence. If your employer failed in their duty to protect you, we want to hear from you.
Contact our Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers at Poolson | Oden today.
Proving Negligence in Your FELA Railroad Explosion Case
To recover damages under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), you must be able to prove your employer’s negligence caused an explosion that injured you.
To that end, your Baton Rouge FELA railroad explosion injury lawyer will gather evidence of the four legal elements of negligence, which are:
- Duty of care: Your employer had a legal responsibility to protect you from harm by providing adequate safety gear, properly training employees, and ensuring equipment is in good working order.
- Breach of duty: Your employer breached their duty by failing to provide a safe work environment for you.
- Causation: Your employer’s breach of duty caused an explosion that injured you.
- Damages: You experienced financial and/or non-financial losses because of your explosion-related injuries.
Examples of evidence that may help your lawyer prove negligence include:
- Debris or wreckage from the explosion
- Video footage of the explosion
- Eyewitness and emergency responder accounts
- Defective train parts
- Train maintenance and inspection logs
Your Baton Rouge FELA railroad explosion injury attorney will gather all evidence necessary to prove another party’s negligence and your right to compensation. We’ll take care of this challenging task for you while you focus on recovering.
Damages You May Recover After a Train Explosion in Baton Rouge
One of the advantages of filing a negligence-based lawsuit is that railroad workers qualify for more damages than other employees who are limited to pursuing workers’ compensation benefits.
Workers’ comp generally only offers limited coverage to employees. On the other hand, with a lawsuit, you can seek the full value of your medical expenses and lost income, as well as non-economic damages, such as:
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Lost quality of life
- Lost enjoyment of life
- Lost independence
There are no limits on the amount of compensation you can pursue in a FELA claim, so you may be able to recover a substantial sum. Your Baton Rouge FELA on-duty railroad accident lawyer will explain what to expect in your unique circumstances.
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Our Experienced FELA Railroad Explosion Injury Lawyers in Baton Rouge Are Ready to Fight for You
Our FELA railroad explosion injury attorneys in Baton Rouge provide personalized service for every railroad injury victim we represent. We will not only ensure your legal case stays on track, but we’ll also ensure you get the best medical care possible for your injuries. You don’t have to suffer through this difficult challenge alone—we are here for you and ready to fight on your behalf.
We are proud that our attorneys have been selected as Designated Legal Counsel for SMART TD and Transportation Communications Union/IAM (“TCU”), and are ready and able to assist you with your FELA claim as designated legal counsel.
We handle FELA claims on contingency, so you won’t have to pay us anything upfront or out of your pocket. We only get paid if we win your case. To get our team working on your FELA claim, contact Poolson | Oden today. We provide free initial consultations.