Baton Rouge FRSA Railroad Retaliation Lawyer

If you’ve been disciplined, demoted, or fired after reporting a safety concern on the job, you may be protected under the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA). A Baton Rouge FRSA railroad retaliation lawyer can help you assert your rights and hold your railroad carrier accountable. At Poolson | Oden, we serve railroaders across Louisiana and nationwide with the skill and focus these cases demand.

With over 80 years of combined experience and more than $30 million recovered for our clients within the last five years alone, our team understands what it takes to build strong claims rooted in law, medicine, and fact. As trusted Baton Rouge personal injury lawyers, we go beyond the basics—traveling to clients, working with top doctors, and preparing every case as if it’s going to trial. When the railroad pushes back, we push harder. Stay on Track™ with a legal team built to fight for you. Call now for a free 100% confidential consultation.

What Is the FRSA and Who Does It Protect?

This federal law is designed to protect railroad workers who speak up about safety issues, report injuries, or refuse to perform tasks under dangerous conditions. It ensures that railroaders can raise concerns without fear of retaliation, whether from supervisors, managers, or the railroad companies themselves.

This protection applies to the entire range of railroad employees, including engineers, conductors, track inspectors, signal maintainers, carmen, maintenance of way workers, mechanics, and others involved in rail operations. The law also covers workers employed by contractors or subsidiaries performing work on or near railroad property.

A Baton Rouge FRSA railroad retaliation attorney understands how this law fits into the unique environment of the railroad industry. At Poolson | Oden, we help railroad workers navigate these protections and take legal action when those rights are violated. Whether you’re facing termination, demotion, or subtle forms of punishment, you don’t have to deal with it alone.

Examples of Protected Activities Under the FRSA

Railroad workers are entitled to speak up about safety without risking their jobs. The Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) outlines several specific actions that are protected under the law—meaning your employer cannot legally retaliate if you engage in them.

Examples of protected activities include:

• Reporting unsafe conditions on the job or dangerous practices by coworkers or supervisors
• Reporting a work-related injury or illness, whether immediately or after symptoms appear
• Refusing to work in conditions you reasonably believe are unsafe
• Requesting medical treatment after an on-the-job injury
• Filing a complaint with the Federal Railroad Administration, OSHA, or another oversight agency
• Participating in an official investigation or legal proceeding related to safety or injury reports

Unfortunately, some employers respond to these actions with discipline, reassignment, or termination. If that’s happened to you, a knowledgeable Baton Rouge FRSA railroad retaliation attorney can help protect your rights and hold your employer accountable.

Common Forms of Retaliation Against Railroad Workers

Retaliation isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it’s a sudden schedule change, a new assignment meant to isolate, or a performance review that doesn’t match your work history. If you’ve recently engaged in a protected activity, like reporting unsafe conditions or an injury, and things suddenly shift at work, it’s worth paying attention.

Common forms of retaliation that railroad workers may experience include:

• Termination or suspension shortly after raising a concern
• Demotion or reassignment to less desirable routes, shifts, or duties
• Unjustified disciplinary actions, such as write-ups or warnings for minor infractions
• Harassment or intimidation by supervisors or coworkers
• Reduced hours or changes in job responsibilities meant to discourage or punish
• Negative performance evaluations that appear retaliatory rather than performance-based
• Blacklisting or career roadblocks when trying to transfer or advance

A Baton Rouge FRSA railroad retaliation lawyer can help you identify patterns of retaliation and build a case that connects the dots between your protected activity and your railroad employer’s response.

Why Hire a Baton Rouge FRSA Retaliation Lawyer

Retaliation cases under the Federal Railroad Safety Act aren’t like ordinary workplace disputes. They involve complex laws, tight deadlines, and employers who are often well-prepared to defend their actions. That’s why working with a skilled Baton Rouge FRSA retaliation lawyer can make all the difference.

At Poolson | Oden, we’ve built our practice around serving railroad workers and other clients whose cases don’t fit the typical personal injury mold. Our attorneys understand how to challenge retaliatory actions with precision—backed by more than 80 years of combined experience, a dedicated field team, and a coordinated in-house approach that includes field representatives, intake specialists, medical records coordinators, case managers, and trial attorneys including Designated Legal Counsel for SMART TD and Transportation Communications Union/IAM.

We don’t just prepare paperwork; we prepare for trial. That means identifying the correct venues, working with trusted medical providers, and using visual tools to clarify the story behind your case. If your employer is pushing back, you deserve a team built to push harder.

What to Expect in an FRSA Retaliation Claim

If you believe you’ve experienced retaliation after speaking up about safety or reporting an injury, time matters—and so does the process you follow. Here’s what you can generally expect when pursuing a claim under the Federal Railroad Safety Act:

1. File a complaint with OSHA: You have just 180 days from the date of the retaliatory act to file. This step is mandatory before pursuing a lawsuit, and OSHA will open an investigation to evaluate your claim.
2. OSHA investigates: Investigators may request documents, interview witnesses, and review timelines to determine whether your employer broke the law.
3. OSHA decision or delay: If OSHA doesn’t issue a final decision within 210 days—or if its findings are unsatisfactory—you have the right to take your case to federal court.
4. Litigation or settlement: From this point, your attorneys can push for a fair settlement or take your case to trial, seeking remedies like back pay, reinstatement, and damages.

Throughout each phase, the team at Poolson | Oden is fully engaged—from filing the initial complaint to preparing for trial, if needed. We coordinate the details, gather strong evidence, and work closely with you to make sure your case is positioned for the best possible outcome. Our focus is on clarity, preparation, and pushing back hard when your rights have been violated.

Our Baton Rouge FRSA Attorneys Are Here to Represent Your Retaliation Case

If you’ve faced discipline, termination, or intimidation after speaking up about safety, you don’t have to handle it alone. The law protects you—and so do we. At Poolson | Oden, we represent railroad workers who’ve been pushed out for doing the right thing. With decades of experience, a full legal support team, and a deep understanding of FRSA retaliation claims, we’re ready to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

Don’t Get Railroaded®. Let our Baton Rouge FRSA railroad retaliation lawyers help you today. Your consultation is free, your story matters, and we’re ready to help you take the next step.