FELA

Railroad workers may have additional rights and benefits as outlined by the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), a series of federal laws passed by Congress in 1908 to improve railroad safety and provide substantial compensation for injured railroad workers and their families. FELA allows recovery for injury or death caused by:

• whole or partial negligence of the railroad, its officers, or employees
• failure of the railroad to provide safe tools, equipment, appliances, or a safe place to work
• violations of the Safety Appliance Act, the Boiler Inspection Act, the Power Brake Law, hours of service, and OSHA regulations

In addition to our work with other occupational hazards, Motley Rice attorneys have experience representing railroad employees injured during the course of their employment under FELA laws. Our attorneys litigate personal injury and wrongful death FELA claims, including cases of mesothelioma, asbestosis, silicosis, welding fume or Parkinson’s injury, lung cancer and other illnesses as well as catastrophic injury.

FELA allows a former railroad employee to recover for damages for loss of wages, pain and suffering, mental anxiety, and past and future medical expenses related to the injury stated in the claim. In the case of wrongful death, recovery can be sought by the legal spouse, children, parents or other dependant beneficiaries.

If you or someone you know has been injured while employed by a railroad, contact attorney John Herrick or Rett Guerry, by email or call +1 800.768.4026.