Railroad workers don’t qualify for workers’ compensation insurance, so when they are injured on the job, they must turn elsewhere to get coverage for their medical bills, lost income, and other damages.
The primary law that supports injured railroad workers and their right to compensation is the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). Our Shreveport FELA railroad accident lawyers are here to help and guide you with your your FELA case so you can focus on recovery.
At Poolson | Oden, our Shreveport railroad injury lawyers have 80+ years of combined experience. We will fight for your rights to fair compensation and ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve. To learn more during a free consultation, contact us today.
Our Shreveport Attorneys Have Extensive Experience in FELA Railroad Accident Cases
Working on the railroad is dangerous. With so much heavy machinery and challenging physical labor involved, accidents and injuries are bound to happen.
And when they do, injured workers deserve to have compassionate and comprehensive legal representation to fight for their rights to compensation.
At Poolson | Oden, we are a top legal resource for railroaders because we have significantly more experience in railroad injury cases than most other personal injury law firms.
When you turn to us for help with your FELA lawsuit, we will personalize your case to your unique needs by:
- Traveling to you for a consultation, if necessary
- Focusing on your health and recovery before concentrating on your legal case
- Ensuring you receive high-quality medical care from the best doctors
- Gathering evidence to prove your employer’s negligence and your damages
- Completing all necessary paperwork and filing a lawsuit on your behalf
- Representing you in negotiations and fighting for a fair settlement
- Seeking out the correct venue and jurisdiction to file your case
- Researching and conducting jury research projects and focus groups locally to where your case is pending to learn more about what prospective jurors think about your case
- Providing legal services on a contingency fee basis, so you never come out of pocket to pay us, and we get paid only from what we recover financially for you
You deserve a firm that cares about you and your needs and will prioritize you in the fight against the railroad carrier.
Our Firm Delivers Results to People Just Like You
In addition to our personalized and caring legal service, we also have a strong track record of results. Our Shreveport personal injury lawyers have recovered over $30 million for our clients in the last five (5) years alone, including:
- $5.75 million for the family of a railroad worker who suffered fatal burns
- $2.2 million settlement for a railroad engineer/conductor with a lower back injury
- $1.525 million recovered for a railroad conductor with a brain injury
- $1.515 million verdict for an injured railroad bridge worker
- $1.5 million recovered for a railroad track laborer with a back injury
- $1.5 million recovered for a railroad maintenance of way worker with a shoulder injury and carpal tunnel syndrome
- $1.3 million recovered for a railroad carman with a shoulder and back injury
- $1.26 million recovered for a Union Pacific railroad conductor with a neck and back injury
- $818,000 settlement for an injured on-board-service railroad worker for back injuries after slipping and falling on the train
- $800,000 recovered for a Union Pacific railroad mechanic with a low back injury
- $675,000 recovered for a railroad worker who suffered a shoulder injury
- $600,000 recovered for a railroad conductor with an elbow and bicep injury
You can’t go wrong by turning to our Shreveport FELA railroad injury lawyers for assistance. To learn more about how Poolson | Oden can help you, contact us today.
Don’t Get Railroaded ®
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today to Get Back On The Right Track.
What Is the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA)?
The FELA is a federal law passed in 1908 designed to increase safety for railroad workers and give them options for seeking compensation after on-the-job injuries.
This law gives railroad employees the right to file lawsuits against their employers for negligence, encouraging railroad companies to do everything possible to ensure their employees’ health and safety.
Common Railroad Injuries Covered By FELA
Railroad workers may suffer a wide range of serious injuries on the job, such as:
- Amputations
- Orthopedic Injuries to shoulders, elbows, hands, hips, legs, knees, ankles
- Spine injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns caused by chemicals, fires, or explosions
- Electrocutions
- Cancer or other illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals or asbestos exposure
- Wrongful death
These and any other injuries suffered on-duty are generally covered by the FELA, giving you the right to sue the railroad carrier iif your employer was negligent.
What Damages Can You Recover in a FELA Railroad Injury Claim?
Unlike workers’ compensation, injured railroad workers can recover the full value of their damages under the FELA, with no monetary cap on the amount of money you can claim. The economic and non-economic damages you may qualify for include:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future losses of income
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement
- Mental and emotional harm
- Loss of quality of life
If you lost a loved one due to a railroad accident or illness, your family may be able to recover wrongful death damages such as:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Loss of household services
- Loss of companionship
- Pain and suffering of the decedent
- Emotional distress of survivors
A Shreveport railroad wrongful death attorney from our law firm can assist with your claim while you spend time with your loved ones and take time to grieve.
What if You Were Partly At Fault for Your Injuries?
Being partially (or even largely) responsible for your injuries does not bar you from recovering compensation under the FELA. The FELA works under a pure comparative negligence rule.
If your negligence contributed to the accident, your compensation amount will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you still have a path to recovery for your financial losses and pain and suffering.
Your employer may try to unfairly blame you in order to reduce your payout, but our team will fight for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Listen To The Stay On Track Podcast
The Deadline for Filing a FELA Railroad Injury Lawsuit
You generally have three years from the date of your injury to file your FELA lawsuit per 45 U.S.C. § 56. However, determining the precise deadline in your case can be difficult, especially if your injury or illness occurred gradually overtime, which is often the case for repetitive stress injuries or occupational illnesses.
The best way to ensure you file your lawsuit on time is to work with a Shreveport FELA railroad injury attorney from our team.
We can handle all the hard work of your claim and ensure we take legal action on your behalf before the applicable statute of limitations expires. Let us help you Stay on Track so you Don’t Get Railroaded™ by your railroad.
Let’s Get You back On Track.
SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY TODAY
Don’t Get Railroaded™. Let Our Shreveport Lawyers Help You Today.
If your employer failed to provide a safe work environment and you were injured as a result, you may have the right to file a lawsuit against them to recover your losses.
To connect with a Shreveport FELA railroad accident attorneys, contact Poolson | Oden today. We offer free initial consultations, so you have nothing to lose by giving us a call.