When you are hurt on the railroad in Louisiana, you have rights. This is true for workers, passengers, and others involved in the industry. One of our Shreveport railroad injury lawyers can help you understand these rights and navigate the process to recover fair compensation based on them.
A Shreveport personal injury lawyer from our team at Poolson | Oden Injury Lawyers can help you fight for fair compensation for your injuries. We have recovered more than $30million in the last five years alone for injured clients. Contact us today to learn more during a free consultation with our team.
Call on Our Shreveport Railroad Injury Lawyers to Manage Your Case
At Poolson | Oden, our team has over 80 years of combined experience representing workers and victims in injury cases. We handle a wide range of cases that other workplace injury attorneys cannot. This includes cases for injured railroad workers. As you can see from our case results, we know how to navigate these claims. We have recovered for our railroad clients:
- $5.75 million in a wrongful death case for the family of a railroad worker
- $2.2 million payout for a railroad worker with a back injury
- $1.525 million secured for a railroad conductor living with a traumatic brain injury
- $1.515 million verdict for a railroad bridge worker hurt on the job
- $1.5 million settlement for a railroad worker who suffered shoulder injuries
- $1.5 million settlement for a railroad track laborer who suffered back injuries
- $1.3 million settlement for a railroad worker with spine injuries
- $1.26 million for a railroad conductor who suffered neck and back injuries
- Numerous 6-figure payouts for railroad engineers, conductors, laborers, and on-board attendants
We always put our clients’ health first. This is central to Our Promise to You. Legal follows medical, meaning we will ensure you receive the treatment and care you need and reach maximum medical improvement before we demand fair compensation in your case. We want to ensure you recover the compensation you need to cover your care and future support needs.
We are also a contingency fee law firm. We represent clients based on contingent fees. We only get paid when we win your case and recover compensation. You owe us nothing unless we recover money for you, and you never have to come out-of-pocket to pay for our legal services.
How Do Shreveport Railroad Injuries Occur?
Railroad injuries can include a wide range of injury types and severities. We have lawyers who can help those with amputations, spinal cord injuries, serious burns, and much more. Our Shreveport traumatic brain injury railroad accident lawyer can help workers who suffered serious head injuries on the job. We can also help those with fall injuries or chronic use injuries.
Employees, contractors, and passengers tend to get hurt in different ways in these cases, but the common cause is the railroad’s negligence. Inadequate maintenance, lack of communication, human error, and failure to uphold safety regulations are common ways the railroad causes and fails to prevent accidents.
Here are some ways each of these groups may get hurt on a train or in the railyard:
Railroad Workers
- Heavy equipment accidents
- Lifting heavy materials or working in awkward positions
- Unsafe working conditions
- Inadequate safety procedures
- Burns from fire, steam, or solvents
- Exposure to chemicals
Contractors and Non-Railroad Employees
- Insufficient safety training
- Unfamiliar with railroad operations
- Surveyors, utility workers, or construction crews may need to work on or near tracks
- Risks from ladders, scaffolding, and tools
Passengers
Passengers generally suffer less serious injuries than workers. Their risks of serious injury are significantly less. Still, slips, trips, or falls are common, especially if the car is stopping or starting. Though rare, major accidents can lead to serious or fatal injuries for anyone on board.
What Types of Damages Will a Shreveport Railroad Injury Attorney Pursue for Me?
If you’re a railroad worker injured on the job, understanding what compensation you can recover under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) is critical. Unlike standard workers’ compensation systems, FELA allows for a broader, more complete recovery—but it does require proving negligence by the employer, railroad, or a co-worker.
Types of Damages Under FELA
- Economic Damages
These are losses that can be directly measured in dollars, including:
- Past and Future Medical Expenses:
All necessary medical bills, including hospital stays, doctor visits, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, specialized treatments, and ongoing care. - Lost Wages:
Compensation for income missed while recovering from your injury, including lost overtime, bonuses, and other pay you would have earned. - Future Loss of Earning Capacity:
If your injury impacts your ability to work into the future—whether through reduced hours, loss of promotions, or a forced career change—FELA covers your projected lost earnings. - Loss of Benefits:
The value of lost fringe benefits such as health insurance, retirement contributions, and other job-related benefits.
- Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for the personal and emotional impact of your injury:
- Pain and Suffering:
Physical pain and discomfort experienced from the injury—covering both past and likely future suffering. - Mental Anguish and Emotional Distress:
Compensation for the psychological effects of a work injury, such as anxiety, depression, insomnia, PTSD, or loss of enjoyment of life. - Disability and Disfigurement:
If your injury results in permanent or partial disability, or physical scarring, you may be compensated for the loss of quality of life or self-esteem. - Loss of Enjoyment of Life:
If you can no longer enjoy activities or hobbies as you did before your accident, this loss is a recognized component of damages.
- Wrongful Death Damages (for Families)
If a railroad worker dies as a result of a work-related injury or illness, close family members may recover:
- Lost financial support and expected future earnings
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of companionship, care, and guidance
- Loss of household services or nurture provided by the deceased.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a cap on damages under FELA?
No. FELA does not set a maximum limit for damages; the amounts are determined based on the severity and impact of the injury, proven with evidence.
Are punitive damages allowed?
Punitive damages are almost never awarded under FELA. Compensation focuses on what the worker has lost, not on punishing the railroad.
Table: FELA Compensation Overview
| Category | Examples | Notes |
| Medical Expenses | Hospital, surgery, rehab | Past and future costs |
| Lost Wages | Missed pay, lost overtime | Based on normal earning records |
| Future Earning Capacity | Reduced ability to work | Requires expert evaluation |
| Pain and Suffering | Physical/mental impacts | Subjective, expert testimony used |
| Loss of Enjoyment of Life | Inability to enjoy activities | Hobbies, family participation |
| Death Damages | Support, services, nurture | For close family dependents |
Why Legal Guidance Matters
Successfully claiming FELA damages can be complex—railroads and insurers often fight to limit payouts. Collecting detailed evidence of lost wages, medical costs, and life impacts is vital, and expert legal help can make a significant difference in maximizing your recovery.
Bottom line:
FELA is intended to make you whole after a railroad injury by covering both your out-of-pocket losses and the wider personal consequences—often far more than state workers’ compensation alone would provide. If you’ve suffered an injury or loss, consult our experienced Shreveport Designated Legal FELA Counsel to evaluate and pursue your full rights.
Talk to Our Team About Your Shreveport Railroad Injury Accident Today
Poolson | Oden will review your case with you for free. We provide these consultations so you can learn more about your rights and options for seeking compensation. We can describe how a Shreveport railroad injury lawyer from our team might approach your case and pursue compensation for you. Stay on Track. Call us today.