Must-know information about FELA cases

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 filing a claim when you get injured. In the case of a workman’s compensation, the injured worker does not need to prove any fault on the employer's part. But in a FELA case, the worker must prove that the employer failed to ensure the safety of their employees and the work environment. Here is information about FELA cases that can help you if you were injured while working on the railroad.

We represent workers employed by:

Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
Amtrak
Metro-North
Chessie Seaboard Expanded (CSX)
New Jersey Transit
Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail)

Information about FELA cases: How a railroad injury claim is 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, 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 a railroad worker is injured, they can claim damages under the FELA law. A personal injury attorney can help you build your case to prove the employer's or another employee's negligence. 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.