The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) allows railroad workers to seek compensation for injuries if they are injured on the job. Railroad workers do not have Workers Compensation protections.
If you or a loved one are hurt, our attorneys can help seek justice. A FELA on-duty railroad accident lawyer in Alexandria can investigate what happened, build a case, and show how the railroad employer’s negligence led to on-the-job injuries.
If this happened to you or a loved one, our Alexandria FELA railroad accident lawyers are here to help you Stay on Track™. We have secured over $30 million for our clients in the last five years, alone, so you can count on Poolson | Oden to handle your case while you recover. Contact us today for a free consultation.
What Damages Can an Alexandria FELA On-Duty Railroad Accident Attorney Pursue for Me?
The damages recoverable through the FELA exceed those typically available to workers in other industries through workers’ compensation.
However, the FELA requires proving negligence occurred, and allows railroaders to take actions against their employer – the railroad carrier. Under the FELA, a railroad worker injured while on duty may recover damages for:
- Medical expenses, including past and future treatment and care needs
- Past and future lost pay and benefits, including loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If the railroad worker passes away, their surviving family members may be eligible to recover wrongful death damages. Contact us today to learn how our Alexandria railroad accident lawyers can assist you.
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Poolson | Oden: A Resource for Injured Railroaders
At Poolson | Oden, our Alexandria personal injury lawyers have more than 80 years of combined experience fighting for compensation for clients. We have been appointed Designated Legal Counsel for SMART TD and Transportation Communications Union/IAM (“TCU”).
We know what it takes to build a case, fight for fair compensation, and recover the money victims need to pay for their care and other damages. Call us today to get started.
As you can see in “Our Promise to You,” we will always put your well-being first. Legal always follows medical with our team. We want to ensure you reach your maximum medical improvement from your injuries before we evaluate your expenses and losses and work toward the payout and closure you deserve.
Our case results demonstrate the lengths we take to ensure our clients get the support of our full team behind them. We will push back against anything the defendant brings to the table, even if that requires us to go the extra mile.
We know how important winning your case is to you. We are a contingency fee firm. You will never pay us up front. We only get paid when we win for you.
How Do FELA Injury Cases Work for Workers Hurt in an On-Duty Railroad Accident?
When an on-duty worker is hurt while working for a railroad, they typically do not have access to workers’ compensation. Instead, railroad employees are covered by a federal law, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).
FELA claims require workers to prove another party caused their injuries. This is often an employer, a co-worker, or another party. If the Railroad refuses to accept responsibility for your injuries, the FELA allows us to file a lawsuit on your behalf to hold the employer or another party liable for your injuries.
Since FELA applies only to railroad workers, these cases are not common for all lawyers. We know how different these cases are from ordinary workplace injury claims.
In fact, most lawyers will not handle them because they are not familiar with FELA rules. Other lawyers often consult with our firm and bring us in to assist with their clients’ cases under the FELA.
Our Alexandria FELA on-duty railroad accident attorneys know how the process works and what we must prove to secure the compensation you deserve. If you were hurt in an on-duty railroad accident in Alexandria, our team can help.
How Do On-Duty Railroad Accidents and Injuries Occur?
If a railroad worker is injured while carrying out work duties in a rail yard, on the train, on the tracks, or even in transport in an automobile being driven by a third party, it is considered an on-duty accident.
Working for the railroad comes with the risk of serious injury. This is especially true when the employer supports a culture that does not strictly follow all safety protocols or takes a casual approach to safety.
Some common on-the-job hazards that lead to FELA claims for railroad workers include:
- Train and equipment accidents, such as derailments or collisions
- Defective or poorly maintained equipment, whether on the train, tools for working, or safety devices
- Getting on and off moving equipment (“GOOME”)
- Train length, slack action, rushing during operations
- Falls and slips on uneven surfaces, wet platforms, or when climbing in or out of rail cars
- Exposure to fumes, dust, chemicals, or other substances
- Repetitive stress injuries
- Electrocution or burns
- Inadequate training or staffing, causing preventable mistakes and unsafe conditions
- Environmental issues, such as poor lighting, excessive noise, or a lack of proper safety equipment
When you trust our team with your case, we will investigate your accident to uncover exactly how and why it happened. We carefully document the railroad’s negligence and gather strong evidence to support your allegations and FELA court case.
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When Should I Discuss My FELA On-Duty Railroad Accident Case With a Lawyer?
A federal statute of limitations creates a deadline for filing a FELA claim. Generally, you have up to three years from the date of your injury to file a claim, per 45 U.S.C. § 56. If you have chronic injuries or an illness from toxic exposure, you may have three years from the discovery of your work-related issue.
Missing this deadline could harm your case or even prevent you from holding your employer responsible and receiving compensation. Speaking with a lawyer early can also preserve valuable evidence, such as photographs of the scene or statements from co-workers.
Our attorneys can help you document your injuries, protect your rights during company investigations, and make sure deadlines don’t jeopardize your claim.
Act quickly to contact our team while you undergo treatment, rehabilitation, and are healing. We can protect your rights and begin our investigation.
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Don’t Get Railroaded®–Talk to Our Alexandria, LA, FELA On-Duty Railroad Accident Case for Free
Poolson | Oden provides a free consultation for victims hurt in these accidents. We can assess your options, ensure you get the medical treatment you need, and begin building your case.
Our FELA on-duty railroad accident lawyer in Alexandria is here for you. Contact us today to get started.