After a railroad injury, many workers are trying to keep up with medical appointments, missed time at work, and questions from the railroad before they have had time to understand their rights and protections under the FELA.
At Poolson | Oden, we represent injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). As your Wyoming FELA railroad injury lawyer, we will explain your rights under federal law and pursue the damages available in your case.
We bring more than 80+ years of combined legal experience to these complex claims. We have recovered more than $32 million during the past five years, alone, travel for consultations when needed, and prepare cases with one goal in mind: Don’t Get Railroaded®. Stay on Track with Poolson Oden Law Firm and call for a free consultation to discuss your legal options.
How Our Wyoming FELA Railroad Injury Attorneys Can Help
FELA claims work differently from workers’ compensation claims. Our lawyers understand this and know the unique rules and legal issues involved.
Railroad companies can begin investigating an accident or injury right away, and they usually have experienced claims representatives and lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve to have someone looking out for you.
At Poolson | Oden, we prepare every case with the goal of putting injured railroad workers on equal footing. We:
- Explain how the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) applies to your case.
- Review and obtain personal injury reports, accident reports, safety records, and railroad policies.
- Investigate how the accident occurred and what caused your injuries.
- Preserve photographs, videos, and other evidence.
- Work with qualified experts when needed.
- Identify every party that may be legally responsible.
- Calculate current and future damages.
- Represent you in settlement negotiations with the railroad carrier and any potential insurance company(ies).
- Prepare your case for trial if necessary.
- Explain whether filing in state court or federal court may benefit your case.
- Keep you informed throughout your claim with support from our legal team.
Our approach reflects our commitment to Protecting Others. Call us today to discuss your accident and injury during a free consultation.
Don’t Get Railroaded ®
Contact Our Experienced Attorneys Today to Get Back On The Right Track.
Types of FELA Injury Claims Poolson | Oden Handles in Wyoming
Our firm represents railroad employees and their families in a wide range of FELA claims, including the following:
- Wyoming FELA amputations lawyer: Injured workers may require ongoing medical care and have other needs after losing a limb. We seek the full damages available.
- Wyoming FELA railroad body and extremities injury lawyer: Shoulder, arm, hand, hip, leg, knee, and foot injuries can make returning to railroad work difficult. We investigate the cause and pursue claims on behalf of injured workers.
- Wyoming FELA railroad chemical exposure and cancer lawyer: Exposure to asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other hazardous substances can lead to serious illnesses. We file claims when workplace exposure caused or contributed to the diagnosis.
- Wyoming FELA railroad burn and explosion injury lawyer: We pursue claims against negligent railroad employers for extensive treatment for burns from fires, explosions, electrical accidents, or fuel-related incidents.
- Wyoming FELA railroad spine injury lawyer: Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries may affect a worker’s health and earnings. We seek damages that reflect the full extent of those losses.
- Wyoming FELA railroad traumatic brain injury lawyer: We prepare claims that document the lasting effects of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that affect a person’s memory, thinking, balance, and daily life.
- Wyoming FELA PTSD and emotional injury lawyer: Post-traumatic stress disorder and other emotional injuries may be recoverable under FELA in some cases. We build the evidence needed to support your claim.
- Wyoming FELA railroad wrongful death lawyer: We represent families seeking damages after a fatal railroad accident caused by an employer’s negligence.
Some FELA cases involve complex facts that are easier to understand with visual evidence. We prepare case-specific timelines, diagrams, photographs, and other exhibits that help explain the accident, the medical evidence, and the losses that you have experienced.
What Does a FELA Railroad Injury Claim Mean?
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) is a law that protects railroad employees who suffer work-related injuries because of their employer’s negligence. FELA is not the same as traditional workers’ compensation.
Instead of receiving automatic benefits, an injured worker must prove the railroad’s negligence played some part in causing the injury. Even a small amount of employer negligence may support a claim.
Because these cases involve federal law, detailed investigations, and different legal standards, injured workers turn to Poolson | Oden to work with lawyers who handle FELA claims rather than attorneys who mainly handle ordinary workplace injuries. We explain how federal law and any Wyoming laws affect your case before recommending the next steps.
Common Liability Issues in Wyoming FELA Cases
One of the biggest questions in a FELA claim is whether the railroad failed to provide a reasonably safe workplace. The railroad company may be responsible if unsafe work conditions contributed to an employee’s injury.
These conditions can be:
- Unsafe equipment
- Defective locomotives or railcars
- Poor railroad track maintenance
- Inadequate training or supervision
- Failure to enforce safety rules
- Exposure to dangerous chemicals or toxic substances
Shared Fault Does Not Automatically End a FELA Claim
FELA follows a comparative negligence system. This means that more than one person or company may share responsibility for an accident.
The railroad may argue that the injured worker is partly at fault for the accident. Even if that happens, the worker may still be able to recover damages if they can show that the railroad’s negligence contributed to their injury.
Let’s Get You back On Track.
SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY TODAYDoes Insurance Cover a FELA Claim?
Many railroad companies have insurance that may help pay a FELA claim. Even so, the claim is still filed against the railroad employer. A FELA railroad injury lawyer in Wyoming from Poolson | Oden explains how insurance may affect your case. We also review what damages may be available and the evidence that can support your claim.
Other Parties May Also Be Liable for a Wyoming Railroad Injury
In many cases, the railroad employer is the primary defendant in a FELA claim. Still, some accidents may involve other companies or individuals whose negligence contributed to the injury.
As our trial attorneys investigate, we may find that your claim involves:
- Equipment manufacturers
- Contractors
- Maintenance companies
- Property owners
- Construction companies
- Vehicle drivers involved in railroad crossings
- Other businesses responsible for unsafe conditions
Some situations involve separate lawsuits that are filed against parties other than the railroad in addition to the FELA claim. Our Wyoming FELA railroad injury attorneys will work to identify every available source of recovery.
What Damages May Be Available Under a FELA Claim?
A successful FELA claim may cover payment for medical expenses, lost income, reduced earning ability, rehabilitation, and the physical and emotional effects of the injury.
In some cases, damages may also cover permanent impairment or other accident-related losses. Poolson | Oden reviews current and future losses when preparing FELA claims for clients because the full cost of an injury is not always clear right away.
As your medical treatment continues, we gather your records and other evidence to show how the injury has affected your life and how it could affect you going forward.
Wrongful Death Claims Under FELA
If you and your family are grieving the loss of your family member, we are sorry for your loss and what you are going through. We understand that along with the emotional loss, families may suddenly face lost income and unexpected expenses. We handle the legal process so that families can focus on one another and begin rebuilding their lives.
What Families May Recover Under FELA
FELA allows certain surviving family members to seek damages after a fatal railroad accident caused by the employer’s negligence. Depending on what happened, damages may include the loss of financial support, employment benefits, and other losses recognized under federal law.
The team at Poolson | Oden approaches wrongful death cases with compassion, care, and respect while working to hold the railroad accountable for the loss your family has suffered. Call our office today to discuss the accident and learn how we can help you.
Speak With Our Wyoming FELA Railroad Injury Lawyer About Your Situation
After a railroad injury, questions from railroad representatives may come quickly before you have had time to recover. While you focus on your health, Poolson | Oden will handle your FELA claim. We are Lawyers Who Serve, representing railroad workers across the country.
We believe injured workers deserve representation from attorneys who focus on these cases every day. Our firm is ready to discuss your case. Call today to learn how our Wyoming FELA railroad injury lawyer can help you move forward. Your consultation is free.