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Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) / Railroad Injury Lawyers Lawyers Near Me
Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) / Railroad Injury Lawyers Albany NY
If you work for a railroad transportation company and were injured on the job, you may be entitled to compensation under a special federal law known as the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). Our experienced FELA railroad injury lawyers help injured railroad workers understand their rights and recover the compensation they deserve. FELA was created to provide important legal protections for employees who are hurt while working on the railroad, ensuring that they receive fair treatment and financial support after an accident.
FELA provides injured railroad employees the right to bring a claim against their employer when negligence contributes to an injury. This means an employee may be entitled to recover compensation not only for lost wages and medical expenses but also for pain and suffering and the loss of future earning capacity.
Experienced FELA Railroad Injury Lawyers
At LaMarche Safranko Law, our attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in railroad injury and FELA cases throughout New York State. We understand the risks railroad workers face and the complex legal process involved in pursuing a FELA claim. Whether your injury was caused by unsafe working conditions, inadequate training, or defective equipment, our team will thoroughly investigate your case and fight to secure the full compensation you deserve.
FAQs about Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) / Railroad Accidents
If you have been hurt while working on the railroad, it is important that you notify your supervisor of the nature and extent of your injuries and to seek medical attention as soon as possible. You should also contact your union representative immediately. It is always best to contact an experienced railroad injury lawyer before making any statements or providing information to a claims representative.
Yes. Even if you are found to be partly at fault, so long as you are not 100% at fault for your injury, FELA allows for an employee to sue their employer.
While you are not required to have an attorney handle your case, it is always better to contact an experienced railroad injury attorney as they will have the knowledge and skill to help obtain the best verdict or resolution for you.
The length of a case for a person injured while working on the railroad varies. For information on the general time frame of a personal injury, see the timeline below. The amount of time a case takes depends on many factors including the extent of the injuries, whether the case will be litigated or settled, how the injury occurred, and whether you are able to return to work. Often, you need to wait some time to determine the answers to these questions. An experienced railroad injury attorney will be able to help guide you through the process.
The value of an injury to an injured railroad worker depends on the severity of the injury, the amount of time lost from work, whether the railroad employee can return to work, and the permanency of the injury. It is important to work with an experienced personal injury attorney who has handled FELA and railroad worker injuries to help obtain the best outcome for you.
In a FELA case, you can seek past and future wage loss; out of pocket expenses; past and future pain and suffering; psychological treatment; past and future medical expenses. In a wrongful death case, dependents can seek economic loss for the death of a family member.
FELA applies to injuries on the railroad that can range from falls from heights, defective equipment, asbestos exposure, repetitive stress, and cumulative trauma injuries.
You may be entitled to benefits under the Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits or supplemental disability benefits. You should contact your union representative to see what benefits are available for you.
Yes. Like many other personal injury cases, FELA cases use the comparative negligence standard. This means a percentage of fault will be assessed against the injured railroad worker and the railroad. Any award would then be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered a severe injury and were awarded 1 million dollars, and a judge or jury determined the fault responsibility to be 25% for the injured worker and 75% for the railroad, the 1 million dollar verdict would be reduced by 25% to $750,000.
FELA lawsuits can be brought in either State or Federal Courts. It is important to work with a railroad injury attorney with knowledge and experience in FELA lawsuits who can explain the pros and cons to appropriately choose the jurisdiction right for you and your case.
An injured railroad worker must prove that injury was caused by the negligence of the railroad company, other employees, agents, or contractors, or from a defective or faulty product or piece of equipment provided by the Railroad. Strict or absolute liability against the railroad may be imposed if the railroad violated a safety statute or regulation.
No. While you may have to be examined by a railroad doctor, you have the right to treat with any doctor or physician of your choice for your injuries. You should make sure the doctor that you treat with accepts your insurance or you may otherwise be responsible for the costs associated with seeing the physician.
