Must-know information about FELA cases
Posted on Friday, January 3rd, 2020 at 12:24 pm
What is FELA?
The Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA, is a federal law that specifically protects railroad workers who are injured on the job. It is separate from worker’s compensation, where the employee surrenders their right to sue their employer in exchange for wage replacement and medical benefits. FELA also differs from workman’s compensation in terms of filing a claim when you get injured. In the case of workman’s compensation, the injured worker does not need to prove any fault on the part of the employer. But in a FELA case, the worker must prove that the employer failed to ensure the safety of their employees and the work environment.
We represent workers employed by:
- Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
- Amtrak
- Metro North
- Chessie Seaboard Expanded (CSX)
- New Jersey Transit
- Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail)
How is a railroad injury claim different from a standard injury claim?
The standard for proving negligence in a FELA, or railroad case is much lower than what it would be in a regular injury claim. If the railroad worker can establish that they were injured directly because of an unsafe condition on the job, then they have a case that can be proven.
Some of the many FELA cases we take on:
- Derailment
- Boiler explosions
- Burns
- Electrocutions
- Brain injuries
- Wrongful death
- Platform gaps
- Improper line switching
- Excessive train speed
If you are a railroad worker who has been injured on the job, know that you have the right to claim damages under the FELA law. A personal injury attorney can help you build your case to prove negligence on the part of the employer or another employee. Hach & Rose, LLP, has a proven track record of winning compensation for railroad workers. We won $925,000 for an Amtrak electric line employee who fell off a ladder, and $1,400,000 for a mechanic who needed neck surgery after a shuttle wagon failed.
What compensation you could receive in a prevailing personal injury claim:
- Medical expenses
- Emotional distress, PTSD
- Lost wages
- Limiting aspects of daily life
Contact a New York FELA Lawyer Today
If you were hurt in a railroad accident in New York, contact an experienced FELA lawyer at Hach & Rose, LLP to discuss your rights and legal options during a free, no-obligation consultation with our team.