All employees, including those working for the railroad in Lafayette, Louisiana, have a right to work in an environment that is as free from safety rule violations and hazards as possible. The Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) protects railroad workers from retaliation by their railroad employers for reporting safety violations in the workplace. If a railroader is demoted, fired, or otherwise punished for whistleblowing activity, they can file a complaint and seek financial restitution.
At Poolson | Oden, our Lafayette personal injury lawyers do more than represent injury victims—we also help railroad workers who are unsure what to do when their railroad employers punish them for exercising their legal rights. Our Lafayette FRSA railroad retaliation lawyers have extensive experience in helping mistreated railroad employees, and we want to put this experience to work for you. Stay on Track™ Contact us now for a free confidential consultation.
Our Lafayette FRSA Railroad Retaliation Attorneys Won’t Let Your Railroad Employer Get Away With Illegal Practices
Railroad workers shouldn’t have to live every day in fear of having to choose between their safety and their livelihood. If you notice a safety rule violation or another hazard, you have a right (and a duty) to report it so you can protect yourself and others from harm. Railroad workers shouldn’t have to worry about losing their jobs or facing other punishments for doing so.
However, some railroad companies don’t want everyone to know about their lack of safety standards, and they may fire or otherwise punish workers who engage in whistleblowing. If this has happened to you, our Lafayette FRSA railroad whistleblowing retaliation lawyers are here to help you fight for your rights.
We have received many positive testimonials from railroad whistleblowers we’ve helped in the past, including Mike Berry, who was wrongfully terminated from his job with the railroad because he filed grievances with his union about safety violations. Here’s what he had to say about his experience:
- “..I was…pinpointed because I stood up for what was right, and it led to me being terminated… I wasn’t going to go down without a fight… We wanted to seek legal advice, and that’s what turned us to Danny and Carisa… My experience working with them has been phenomenal… They stood up for me and my family when no one else would… I couldn’t ask for better service…”
The team of lawyers at Poolson | Oden have 80+ years of combined experience in railroad injury and retaliation claims, and have undergone rigorous and mutli-faceted review to be selected as Designated Legal Counsel for SMART TD and Transportation Communications Union/IAM. We promise to fight for a financial award on your behalf that fairly compensates you for the harm you’ve experienced.
If we cannot secure a fair settlement during pre-trial negotiations, we will meticulously prepare your case for court. Our extensive prep work will include investigating your claim to deposing all workers and supervisors to best prepare for your trial. We will be with you every step of the way and ensure you don’t settle for less money than you deserve. Contact Poolson | Oden today to learn more.
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What Whistleblowing Activities Does FRSA Protect?
FRSA gives railroad workers the right to perform several whistleblowing activities without fear of retaliation, including:
- Reporting violations of federal, state, or local safety laws, rules, or regulations
- Reporting hazardous conditions
- Assisting in a safety violation investigation
- Reporting fraud or abuse of public funds intended to be used for improving safety
- Refusing to violate safety rules or work in unsafe conditions
- Reporting an on-duty injury
- Accurately reporting working hours, evidencing hours of service violations, per 49 CFR § 228
You may also be eligible for an FRSA claim if you were denied prompt medical treatment after suffering an on-duty injury because your employer wanted to keep the accident a secret. If this happened to you, our Lafayette railroad injury lawyers may be able to help you pursue compensation for your injuries under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) in addition to a potential FRSA claim.
What Damages Can a Lafayette FRSA Railroad Retaliation Lawyer Help You Recover?
When your Lafayette FRSA railroad whistleblower retaliation attorney files your claim, they can help you seek multiple types of damages, including:
- Reinstatement of your job at the same level of seniority you previously held, if applicable
- Lost wages and backpay, with interest
- Emotional distress
- Punitive damages of up to $250,000, if warranted
- Reimbursement of any legal or expert witness fees
You may qualify for additional damages not listed here. When you turn to Poolson | Oden, you can rest assured that your lawyer will account for all the economic and non-economic damages you qualify to recover and fight for a fair settlement on your behalf.
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You Have a Very Short Time Window to Report FRSA Violations
You must generally file your whistleblower complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within 180 days of your employer’s FRSA violation. This short deadline makes it imperative that you seek legal representation as soon as possible.
When you reach out to Poolson | Oden, a Lafayette FRSA railroad retaliation lawyer from our team will start working for you immediately, collecting evidence and building a solid FRSA case on your behalf. We will complete all required paperwork and file your claim on time, so you retain the right to pursue damages.
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Don’t Get Railroaded® – Get Started On Your FRSA Claim With a Free Consultation
At Poolson | Oden, we have served hundreds of clients and recovered over $30 million on their behalf in the last five years alone. We are a valuable resource for railroaders who have suffered mistreatment or injuries due to their employers’ negligence.
If you believe you are a victim of wrongful termination or another illegal practice, contact us today for a free initial confidential consultation. We will explain your legal rights and discuss how we can help. Our Lafayette FRSA railroad retaliation attorneys are vested in your success and dedicated to getting the best possible results for you.