When a safety violation or hazard presents itself in the workplace or on the railroad, railroad workers shouldn’t have to worry about reporting it because they are afraid they will be punished. The Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) (49 U.S.C. §20109) protects whistleblowers in the railroad industry from illegal retaliation. If you believe your railroad carrier violated your rights, our Shreveport FRSA railroad retaliation lawyers are here to help you.
Our Shreveport personal injury lawyers at Poolson | Oden help both railroad injury and whistleblowing retaliation victims get the compensation they deserve. When you turn to our law firm, you’ll benefit from our 80+ years of combined experience in FRSA claims. To get started on your case with a free, confidential initial consultation, contact us today.
Our Shreveport FRSA Railroad Retaliation Attorneys Are Dedicated to Your Success
You shouldn’t have to spend each day at work worrying about getting injured or being fired for reporting a safety hazard. You should be able to do all you can to protect yourself and your co-workers without fear of retaliation. If you don’t enjoy these rights in the work you do for the railroad, our team at Poolson | Oden can listen to your concerns for free and explain your legal options.
When you hire our law firm to assist you, you won’t just get one Shreveport FRSA railroad whistleblowing retaliation lawyer to assist you—a large team of professionals will have your back. From our field representatives to welcome specialists and case managers to trial attorneys, we have the manpower and experience to combat and deflect any excuse or unfounded accusation the defendant carrier throws at us.
Our impressive case results include multiple six-figure punitive damages recoveries, one for Jonette N., a locomotive engineer who was wrongfully terminated for filing a claim for damages under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) after suffering serious injuries in a train accident. Here’s what she said about her experience working with us and our Designated Legal Counsel:
- “The company that I worked for basically railroaded me. I was basically disposable. They threw me away… [Carisa] advised me regularly. I never worried about being in contact with her. She’s different than the lawyers that I’ve come in contact with before… She stayed on task, stayed focused, and she had a plan… She came there to win, and she did. I was off work four years, eight months before I finally got my job back, and it was because she didn’t quit fighting for me. A lot of lawyers would have thrown me away… She didn’t. She never quit.”
Don’t Get Railroaded®. At our law firm, “P | O” doesn’t just stand for “Poolson | Oden.” It also stands for “Protecting Others.” We are dedicated to protecting railroaders from illegal whistleblowing retaliation and helping them fight for their rights. If you’re unsure where to turn for help after losing your job or facing other unfair punishments, contact Poolson | Oden today.
Don’t Get Railroaded ®
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today to Get Back On The Right Track.
What Is the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA)?
The FRSA is a federal law that protects railroaders from unfair retaliation when they exercise their legal rights. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), protected whistleblowing actions include:
- Filing a complaint about workplace safety violations
- Reporting hazardous working conditions
- Reporting on-the-job injuries
- Providing information to assist in a safety violation investigation
- Refusing to break safety rules or work in unsafe conditions
- Seeking medical treatment following an injury
- Filing a FELA lawsuit
- Reporting forced hours of service violations under 49 CFR § 228
You may qualify for an FRSA claim if your employer punished you in any way for taking any of the actions listed above. Examples of illegal retaliation include:
- Job termination or demotion
- Denied promotions or benefits
- Reduced hours or wages
- Intimidation or threats
- Delayed or denied medical treatment for injuries
Damages Available Under the FRSA
You may qualify to recover various economic and non-economic damages in an FRSA lawsuit. Examples include:
- Reinstatement to your previous job, if applicable
- Loss of income and benefits
- Mental and emotional pain and suffering
- Attorney fees
- Limited punitive damages
Your Shreveport FRSA railroad whistleblowing retaliation attorney will ensure they account for all your damages when pursuing a settlement on your behalf. If we cannot obtain a fair agreement out of court, we will take your case to trial and fight for your rights in front of a judge and/or that we have meticulously researched with your best interests at heart.
The Statute of Limitations for Filing an FRSA Complaint
When your employer commits a FRSA violation, you generally only have 180 days to file a complaint with OSHA. If you recently lost your job or have been dealing with other threats from your employer such as charge letters or rule violations, you likely aren’t in the best state of mind to try to tackle such an important legal process on your own, especially with such a tight deadline.
Thankfully, when you work with Poolson | Oden, you can take care of your family and your other needs while we handle your FRSA claim for you. We’ll ensure you file your complaint on time and maintain your legal right to pursue compensation.
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How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Shreveport Railroad Retaliation Attorney?
At Poolson | Oden, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you won’t have to pay us anything upfront or out of pocket to start working on your case. We will cover all the costs involved, and we only get paid out of the settlement or court award we recover for you at the end of the case. If we don’t get money for you, you’ll owe us nothing.
Because legal fees are generally part of the compensation available in an FRSA claim, you won’t have to pay us anything out of your pocket. You have nothing to lose by giving us a call.
Let’s Get You back On Track.
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Don’t Get Railroaded®. Contact Our Shreveport FRSA Railroad Retaliation Lawyers Today.
At Poolson | Oden, we pride ourselves on being a valuable resource for railroaders who suffer undue physical, emotional, or financial harm because of their railroad employers. To learn more about how our Shreveport FRSA railroad retaliation attorneys can help you, contact us today. We offer free, no-obligation 100% confidential consultations to help you Stay on Track™. So give us a call!