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Railroad Worker Injuries and FELA Lawyers

Over 500 Million obtained for our clients.

Last Updated: 02-24-2023

New York Personal Injury Lawyers

Since workers started laying tracks more than 200 years ago, working for the railroad has been considered a dangerous job. And while the railroad industry is certainly much safer today, it’s still one of the most dangerous industries to work in. However, if you’re a railroad worker who’s been injured on the job, you have a right to pursue compensation under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).

In fact, unlike workers’ compensation, which usually only covers medical expenses and partial wages, FELA allows railroad workers to file a claim or a lawsuit for all damages, such as lost wages, current and future medical expenses, benefits, pain and suffering, aggravation of pre-existing conditions, and lower quality of life. And also unlike workers’ compensation, FELA lawsuits are decided by a jury, likely citizens from your own community. You need only establish that negligence on the part of your railroad company contributed to your injury. Even if you were partly responsible for your injury, if you can prove that your railroad company was partly responsible — even only one percent responsible — you have a viable case.

While railroad workers enjoy broad protections under FELA, these cases are not cut and dry, and, in fact, they can be incredibly complex, with multiple parties involved in a single case. FELA cases are a highly specialized area of law, and it’s crucial that you hire an experienced attorney to represent you. Railroad companies will use the full weight of their resources to reduce claims and fight lawsuits, and there are numerous factors that may affect your case.

For example, since most railroad companies provide interstate transportation, railroad employees may file their lawsuit in either a state or federal court. Often a skilled attorney will know which might be to your advantage, depending on your case details. A skilled attorney will clarify the full scope of your rights, such as the damages you may pursue. In addition, your compensation may be dependent on the railroad company’s degree of negligence. If, for example, the compensation for your injury was $500,000, but the railroad company was found to be only half responsible for the cause of the injury, your compensation received would be $250,000. It’s critical that you hire an attorney who understands every detail of your case — who will ask the right questions, conduct a thorough investigation, gather statements, records, and any other information that will support your claim and maximize your compensation.

In the state of New York, you have up to three years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit. But don’t wait that long. The sooner an experienced law firm begins investigating your case, the sooner they can uncover evidence that may not exist down the road.

If you’re a railroad worker who’s been injured on the job, contact an experienced New York FELA attorney at Hach & Rose, LLP today. Contact our team of personal injury attorneys online, or call us at (646) 798-7585 or (866) LAWS-USA to schedule a free consultation.

Experienced FELA Representation for Union Members

Hach & Rose, LLP has extensive experience fighting for union members and their families. We represent railroad workers employed by the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), Amtrak, Metro North, Chessie Seaboard Expanded (CSX), New Jersey Transit, Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), and other railways.

Our New York FELA attorneys are also designated counsel for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Local Lodge 754 and the Independent Railroad Supervisors Union (IRSA).

Common Types of Railway Accidents

Train accidents in New York and throughout the United States occur for a variety of reasons, and at Hach & Rose, LLP we are ready to take on cases involving:

Whether your injury occurred because of one of the above-listed reasons or not, do not hesitate to contact us today to discuss your situation.

Derailments

A derailment can occur when a train’s wheels or bearings detach from the rail tracks, leaving the engineer unable to control the train. A derailment may be caused by excessive speeds, overly sharp turns, or defective rails, for example, and can lead to a crash that’s catastrophic for passengers and employees on board.

Hard Couplings (between trains)

Accidents related to coupling – the method of joining two rail cars together – have historically been a leading cause of injuries in the railroad industry. Today, most train companies use automatic couplers to reduce the risk of a worker getting caught between trains. Not using an automatic coupler, in fact, may be grounds for negligence. But even when automatic couplers are used, when the trains collide too hard or quickly, there is a real risk of injury to employees.

Coupling injuries can occur after an accident on the job or through a cumulative effect. Certain workers are more vulnerable to suffering coupling injuries:

  • Brakemen
  • Porters
  • Switchmen
  • Attendants
  • Engineers
  • Conductors

While anyone working around a train is subject to certain risks, these specific workers are susceptible to some of the most horrific injuries that could be suffered in the railyard.

Manual Work in the Train Yard

There is an abundance of activity in a train yard, so if the environment is not carefully managed, there may be risks to employees, such as tripping over misplaced materials, falling in holes, and falling over debris and spare parts.

Company Vehicle Accidents

A train yard is filled with vehicles besides train cars, such as forklifts used for moving cargo, and specialized vehicles for handling and lifting containers. A number of factors can lead to accidents and injuries, such as a forklift carrying an oversized, unbalanced load, a defect with the vehicle used, or material left in the path of moving vehicles.

Electrical Accidents

Whether you’re on a train or in a rail yard, electricians and other railroad workers may face electrical hazards in the form of exposed electrical wiring, contact with high-voltage power lines and rails, or an electric arc caused by a short in a high-voltage power line.

Railroad workers can suffer electrocution injuries for a variety of reasons. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Electrical wiring or equipment issues
  • Contact with overhead power lines
  • Machinery or appliance issues
  • Arc flashes
  • Fires or explosions

The causes of electrocutions are not always immediately apparent, which underscores the importance of having an attorney conduct a thorough investigation. You will want to get real answers as to what happened and who can be held responsible.

Ladder Accidents

Ladders are used more often than you might think in a rail yard, whether it’s a ladder attached to the train itself or a freestanding ladder used to work on power lines. And ladder accidents also occur more than you might think. Whether it’s due to the use of a ladder that has structural damage, or the use of a ladder that’s too short for the job, or a lack of safety equipment, ladder injuries are all too frequent, and can result in serious injuries.

Heavy Lifting

Heavy lifting is a frequent activity in rail yards, but when a two-man job is performed by one due to understaffing, or when a worker carrying a load trips and hurts the person helping them carry it, lifting can become a quick path to an injury. Negligence of a co-employee, in fact, is attributable to the employer.

Cumulative Trauma and Repetitive Stress Injuries

Whether you’re repeatedly kneeling to work on the rails, throwing switches, or constantly dismounting from rail cars, repetitive stress injuries are all too common for rail workers, who may suffer from work-related carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, rotator cuff tears, tennis elbow, or chronic back pain. Hearing loss or tinnitus can also be caused by long-term exposure to excessive noise present at the rail yards.

Platform Gap Injuries

The platform gap refers to the space between a train and the edge of the railroad station platform, and mechanical extensions known as gap fillers may be used on certain train lines in New York City. In a variety of other cases on older platforms in the area, railroad workers can be involved in accidents while working on particularly dangerous platform gaps. Platform accidents can occur when trains are stopped, or if they are still in motion. Many railroad workers have to work in platform gaps even while trains are functioning, which can increase the likelihood of accidents involving moving trains.

Unsafe Worker Walkways

Railroad workers in New York can often be asked to perform work in a variety of difficult circumstances, but employers still must make sure that workplaces are as safe as possible. In some situations, railroad workers can be injured in accidents that are caused by unreasonably unsafe worker walkways. Railroad companies must make sure that workers can safely perform their jobs, and an employer can be responsible for injuries caused by dangerous walkways for workers. A number of railroad construction and job sites involve some perilous walkways for workers that can be extraordinarily difficult to traverse.

Third Rail and Catenary Injuries

If you have suffered injuries through contact with electrical third rails or catenary lines, you may be entitled to financial compensation. As a railroad worker, you are under tremendous pressure to add to the growing train and light rail lines sprawling across our city and the country.

Burn Injuries

Burn injuries could be the result of thermal or electrical energy on railroads, and a burn injury is classified based on how deep the burn is and the area of the body the burn covers. Most large burns involve burns of varying depths, and victims will typically face an agonizing road to recover.

People may be able to survive serious burn injuries, but the burns can leave them with scars and numerous forms of impairment. A railroad worker who sustains burn injuries at work could be entitled to compensation through the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).

Brain Injuries

Due to the dangerous nature of railroad work, many workers suffer head trauma, resulting in traumatic brain injuries (TBI). There is a wide range of symptoms, a victim of a head injury may suffer. If these types of symptoms continue for an extended period, the injured railroad worker may have suffered severe trauma. Moderate to severe symptoms may include:

  • Agitation and unusual behavior
  • Loss of coordination
  • Poor attention and concentration
  • Slurred speech
  • Seizures
  • Prolonged nausea

Victims who have sustained even more severe brain trauma may suffer from a loss of physical or mental ability, paralysis, drastic personality changes, or memory loss.

Spinal Cord Injuries

The spinal cord consists of a long group of nerves connected to your upper and lower body. The nerves in the spinal cord are essential for mobility and feeling across your body, from your arms and torso to your legs and feet. The bones, tendons, and ligaments of the vertebrae protect the spinal cord from injury. However, if you suffer a back or neck injury as a railroad worker, broken bones, swelling, and bleeding can all cause permanent damage to the spinal cord.

Depending on the location and severity of the injury to your spine, you may face various health consequences which impact normal functions in all or part of your body. Treatment and therapy for a spinal injury are expensive and ongoing, and you need significant financial resources to access the medical care you need. If you are a railroad worker who suffered a spine injury while on the clock in New York or elsewhere because of an unsafe condition, you aren’t restricted by any workers’ compensation insurance coverage. You can pursue a claim under the FELA.

Wrongful Death

There have been vast improvements when it comes to protecting railroad worker safety in the workplace. However, unfortunate accidents still occur every year that cause railroad workers severe injuries and even death.

According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, there were 17 railroad employee fatalities and a total of 3,855 employee injuries in 2018. When a railroad worker is hurt or tragically dies because of a safety hazard, families are left struggling to deal with the loss of a loved one while also under tremendous pressure to pay hospital bills, funerals costs, and worrying about their financial future with one less breadwinner.

If you have tragically lost a family member in a railroad accident, contact the FELA attorneys at Hach & Rose, LLP to schedule a free, confidential consultation. Call us at or reach out to us by e-mail or online chat.

Mesothelioma and Lung Cancer

Unfortunately, railroad workers are exposed to hazardous materials every day. Working with materials containing asbestos can send asbestos fibers into the air and end up being inhaled. These tiny fibers can become lodged in your organ tissues and develop into mesothelioma cancer.

When you’re handling hazardous materials and working in unsafe environmental conditions, your employer should always provide you with the necessary equipment and protective gear. Gloves, face shields, and coveralls can protect you from asbestos and other illness-causing carcinogens.

Failing Switches and Signals

Railroad switches and signals are two of the many safety mechanisms that are essential on train tracks. These devices help prevent disastrous and often deadly collisions between trains and other vehicles. As a railroad employee, you rely on these systems to keep you safe while you are at work, and when a switch or signal fails at your worksite, you may face life-altering physical injuries.

If you suffered severe or catastrophic injuries due to a failing switch or signal, you deserve fair compensation. The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) can help ensure that you have the financial support you need to pay for your injuries and to cover lost wages. However, you will need to work with an experienced FELA lawyer to you win your case.

Moving Equipment Failures

The nature of railroad worker injuries varies widely, but many severe railroad injuries are caused by moving equipment accidents. Hard coupling accidents between trains is one of the leading causes of injuries in the rail yard. Coupling is the method of joining two rail cars together, and when the trains collide together too quickly, there is a real potential for employees on board or close to the rail cars to be injured.

Employees also run the risk of injury when they dismount from a moving rail car. While this is not done as often as it was 30 years ago, some railroad companies still permit this practice, as long as safety guidelines are followed, such as ensuring the locomotive is moving at a walking pace. But one wrong step can still lead to a severe injury, and repeated dismounting from the cars can lead to a repetitive trauma, which harms the body over time.

Moving tractors in the rail yard run the risk of dropping loads too close to employees or even falling over if they’re carrying an unbalanced load. And any slip and fall accident near a moving train car could result in a catastrophe.

Boiler Explosions

Boilers onboard a locomotive should be regularly inspected and maintained as well as utilized according to important safety standards. If a railroad company does not follow through with its obligation to maintain a high degree of safety in the use and maintenance of locomotive boilers, it can seriously endanger any employees working on or near the unsafe trains. In some cases, improper use and care of boilers can result in catastrophic explosion accidents that may severely injure those onboard the affected locomotive.

Head-on Train Collisions

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) allows injured railroad workers to pursue compensation for injuries caused by their employer’s negligence, such as serious communications or organizational breakdowns, which lead to an accident, such as a head-on train collision. These extremely dangerous accidents can cause a devastating degree of destruction and severe injuries for those involved. When a railroad company fails to take the necessary safety precautions needed to prevent a head-on accident, they should be the ones to bear the financial consequences of the accident and the victims’ losses.

Railroad Crossing Signal Malfunction

The proper functioning of crossing signals used to warn workers and other drivers of train crossings is crucial to the safety of all these parties, as a malfunction or defect in these signals could cause devastating and traumatic accidents. Because of the danger that train accidents pose to train workers, New York enacted the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), which allows injured workers or the families of workers killed in accidents to pursue legal action against railroad companies when their negligence results in a train accident.

Allowing a crossing signal to become defective or malfunction is a definite act of negligence on the part of a railroad company, and something for which the company should be held responsible when it causes an accident.

Falls Involving Commuters

A railway employee injured in a fall involving a commuter train may be eligible to file for compensation from his or her employer if the company failed to take the proper safety precautions in preventing the accident. The following accidents may occur because of a lack of adequate safety measures:

  • Falls on unsafe floors, stairways, or ramps at a station
  • Falls on trains, often caused by unmaintained train cars or conductor errors
  • Gap falls

These fall dangers may be blamed on a negligent commuter railway company, leaving the business liable for injury costs to both commuters and employees.

Improper Line Switching

Train track switches are important features of railroads as they allow trains on the same track to bypass each other as well as switch tracks if necessary. Because these devices play an important role in train safety, railroad companies need to carefully monitor the status of track switches and correct any issues that may impede these crucial parts from working properly. However, if a railroad company fails to take action to maintain these essential track components, it may be held responsible for its actions if any employees are injured in accidents caused by switch failures.

Excessive Train Speed

Railroad employees should be able to trust their employers to err on the side of safety when it comes to any concerns about train traveling speeds. However, whether due to hiring dangerous conductors or pushing their crews to adhere to unreasonable schedules, railroad companies may endanger their employees due to excessive train speed. As a result of this lack of proper safety precautions, employees can suffer serious injuries in speed-related accidents that could have been prevented by their company’s compliance with locomotive speed and safety regulations.

Non-Operational Tracks

If a length of railroad tracks is considered non-operational, any trains moving through that area should be promptly stopped and re-routed until repairs can be completed. Failing to do so can seriously endanger anyone on the train, including railroad workers, as these damaged tracks may cause train cars to derail. It is an employer’s responsibility to communicate to their train operators and employees the location of non-operational tracks and what routes to use instead. If this information isn’t provided, railroad workers injured as a result may be entitled to file for compensation due to their employer’s negligence.

Locomotive Mechanical Failures

A railway company has a responsibility to its employees and passengers to perform comprehensive inspections and regular maintenance on its locomotives. This can help prevent any mechanical failures that may arise due to faulty or worn-out train parts. Frustratingly, though, not all train companies discharge this important duty, potentially resulting in malfunctions that can cause severe train accidents. However, train company employees may be able to pursue compensation for their injuries under the FELA.

Who Is Eligible for Compensation Under FELA?

Any employee of an interstate commerce railroad company is eligible to pursue compensation under FELA. Here in New York, this may be an employee of the Long Island Railroad or Metro North. Or it may be an employee of Amtrak, CSX, Union Pacific, Path NJ, and more. Because of the inherent dangers of working in the yard or on the train, many employees belong to unions that are also helping to advance workplace safety. Some of the most common railroad trades include:

Supervisors

A supervisor supervises and coordinates the activities of workers in the rail yard and on the trains. A supervisor’s role may be specific. For example, a track supervisor oversees track construction, maintenance, and inspections. The Independent Railroad Supervisors Association formed twenty-two years ago with the legal assistance of Hach & Rose, LLP attorney Mark G. Sokoloff, as the first Designated Counsel. Mr. Sokoloff currently represents Supervisors on the LIRR, Metro-North, Path, and CSX Railroads.

Machinists

A machinist works in the shop or in the yards, fixing just about anything that is broken on the train, such a wheel that needs retrofitting or tending the mechanical control systems. Mr. Sokoloff is currently a Designated Counsel for District 19 of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. Mr. Sokoloff currently represents Machinists in FELA and Labor Matters on the LIRR, Metro-North, Path, and CSX Railroads.

Conductors / Yardmasters

Conductors coordinate the activities of the train crew on the freight and passenger trains. On freight trains, they oversee the loading and unloading of cargo. Yardmasters oversee the workers in the rail yard, directing engineers to move cars as needed, and ensuring trains are carrying correct freight material.

Locomotive Engineers

Locomotive engineers drive the freight or passenger trains between stations. They must be aware of the freight they’re carrying because different types of freight require different driving protocols.

Rail Yard Engineers

Rail yard engineers drive the trains within the rail yard, moving locomotives between tracks, or to the maintenance shop. Or they may oversee technology that moves the trains within the rail yard.

Switch, Signal, and Brake Operators

Brake operators help couple and uncouple train cars. Switch operators control the track switches and ensure trains are moving in the right direction. Signal operators maintain the signals along the tracks and in the rail yard.

Electricians

Electricians will inspect, repair, and maintain the electrical components of the locomotives. They work on electrical systems and components with AC and DC voltage, and usually have experience working with high voltage circuitry.

Railroad Laborers

Laborers work on a broad array of construction and maintenance duties on the railroad track and in the yard, such as repairing track switches, maintaining rails, erecting signage along the railway, and trimming hedges away from tracks.

You’re Protected by Federal Safety Standards

The fact is, there are federal laws in place to protect your safety. The federal government’s Code of Federal Regulations clearly outlines requirements for railroad workplace safety, including specifications, for example, for fall protection, scaffolding, eye and face protection, on-track safety procedures, and details such as appropriate climbing techniques for inspecting bridges. Railroad companies must also conduct periodic inspections — including monthly and quarterly inspections — to help ensure the safety of passengers and employees.

In addition, if an injury occurs and it’s shown that the railroad has violated any safety regulations or statues, that railroad company will be fully liable for the injury, and negligence will not need to be proven.

Our Recent FELA Results

$925,000

Settlement for Amtrak electric line person who fell off a ladder.

$825,000

Settlement for LIRR Car Appearance Maintainer injured as a result of a blue flag violation, train moved while climbing coach car.

$500,000

Settlement for a train crew as a result of a train derailment due to flooding in Oyster Bay, NY.

$500,000

Settlement for a man who tripped and fell on railroad property with an arm injury.

$500,000

Recovery against railroad for defective condition on property.

$450,000

Settlement for a Metro North conductor who was injured due to a derailment in Cos Cob, Connecticut.

$425,000

Settlement for LIRR Engineer who twisted his ankle on ballast, unsafe walkway.

$350,000

Jury verdict for an engineer as a result of a train derailment in Jamaica, Queens, NY.

$300,000

Settlement for Amtrak Hostler injured lumbar spine on unsafe track switch.

$300,000

Settlement for a railroad worker who tripped and fell due to poorly lit walkway.

$300,000

Settlement for a machinist injured at the Stamford, Connecticut Yard Repair Shop.

$300,000

Settlement for Long Island Railroad conductor who fell through an unsafe gap between the train and the platform.

$250,000

Settlement for a General Foreman injured in shop when a Nose of a Diesel fell on him.

$190,000

Settlement for a Machinist whose hand was caught in railroad truck changing springs.

$150,000

Settlement for a conductor suffering from reflex sympathetic dystrophy/compartmental pain syndrome injured as a result of a rough track in the LIC yard.

$50,000

Settlement for a railroad worker who lost hearing due to exposure to noise at the LIRR Hillside Facility violating OSHA standards.

We have over three decades of experience handling FELA and FRSA matters in New York. We are active members of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys and routinely handle all types of cases for injured railroad workers. Our commitment to each and every client is to aggressively pursue the maximum case value allowed by the FELA and FRSA laws.

  • Amtrak (National Rail Passenger Corp. or NRPC)
  • CSX Railroad (CSX Rail)
  • Metro-North Commuter Railroad (Metro-North Railroad or MN RR)
  • New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit Rail)
  • Long Island Railroad (LIRR)
  • Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH or PATH Rail)
  • Union Pacific Railroad

Must Know Info

January 3, 2020
Must-know information about FELA cases
What is FELA? The Federal Employers Liability Act, or FELA, is a federal law that…
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October 24, 2019
Video FAQ: Why do railroad workers have the shortest lifespan of any blue-collar worker?
Want to know why railroad workers have some of the shortest life expectancies of any…
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October 11, 2019
Video FAQ: What are examples of cases that you have handled for UTU conductors?
In this new video FAQ, attorney Mark Sokoloff describes his experience with the various types…
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August 21, 2019
FELA Cases are Negligence-Based
Whether representing injury victims or their families in wrongful death cases, New York train accident…
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June 21, 2019
How are railroad workers benefits compromised after an injury?
In this new video FAQ, attorney Mark Sokoloff describes how railroad companies attempt to cut…
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May 28, 2019
Video FAQ: What are the dangers UTU train conductors face on the job?
In this new video FAQ, attorney Mark Sokoloff discusses the workplace dangers often experienced by…
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October 13, 2017
Must Know Info: Pursuing FELA Claims
There is a new article on our Must Know Info page written by Mark Glen…
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September 30, 2016
Enforcement of Rail Safety Improvement Act Necessary in Wake of Train Tragedy
By: Mark Sokoloff The recent September 29th New Jersey Transit derailment tragedy in Hoboken, New…
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May 13, 2015
Free FELA and Benefit Consultations for Amtrak Employees
, urges all Amtrak employees and their families to take advantage of the Amtrak Employee Assistance…
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November 19, 2014
FELA statutes and railroad worker injuries
The Federal Employers Liability Act, commonly referred to as FELA, provides a way for injured…
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August 15, 2014
What is the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)?
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a federal law that was enacted in order…
Read More
March 15, 2013
Union Pacific Ordered to Compensate and Reinstate Fired Worker
Union Pacific has been ordered to pay $350,000 to, and reinstate, a worker who was…
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February 11, 2013
Union Pacific Ordered to Pay Injured Worker $1 Million
A worker for Union Pacific whose 20 year career with the company led to the…
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July 19, 2012
Railroad Worker Accidents
Traveling by train is one of the most common and efficient forms of commuting in…
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The Hach & Rose, LLP Attorneys Working for You

Because railroad law is so incredibly specialized, it’s crucial that you hire attorneys who have the detailed knowledge and experience needed to win your case. Hach & Rose, LLP attorneys have won tens of millions of dollars for union members and their families, including numerous seven figure settlements and jury verdicts. And we have more than three decades of experience representing employees of railroad companies, such as Amtrak, Chessie Seaboard Expanded (CSX), Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail), the Long Island Railroad (LIRR), Metro North, and New Jersey Transit.

We are active members of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys and the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. We are also counsel to the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO Local Lodge 754 and the Independent Railway Supervisors Association (IRSA). Whether you have suffered harm from an electrocution, a platform gap, or excessive train speed, we fight passionately and skillfully for every injured client.

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Michael A. Rose

Michael Rose has helped thousands of accident victims put their lives back together after tragedy struck. While his clients are drawn to his compassion and personal attention, his tenacity in the courtroom has helped him secure millions in compensation for his clients. As a member of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association Labor Law Committee, a large focus of his work is union and railroad cases. His practice includes FELA claims for any work-related injuries, including long-term trauma, occupational diseases, and more.Mr. Rose’s intimate knowledge of railroad laws and his resolve to fight for his clients’ financial security have led to seven-figure jury verdicts and settlements, as well as numerous honors. He was named a lifetime member of the prestigious Million Dollar and Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, in which fewer than one percent of U.S. lawyers are members, he has been peer rated for the highest level of professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell®, and he has been included on the New York Super Lawyers list consistently from 2013-2019.While his litigation and negotiation experience are unparalleled, it’s his deeply rooted sense of fairness and justice that has enabled him to fight so successfully on behalf of his clients.

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Mark Glen Sokoloff

Mark Sokoloff specializes in representing railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), as well as National Mediation Board Arbitrations, railroad wrongful termination, and employment discrimination claims. He brings over 25 years of trial experience to his cases.As an esteemed litigator in railroad law, Mr. Sokoloff is Designated Counsel to both the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO Local Lodge 754 and the Independent Railway Supervisors Association (IRSA).Mr. Sokoloff initiated the “Agent Orange” class action (Reutershaun v. Dow Chemical) which led to a record liability settlement of $750 million dollars, and he has additionally secured millions of dollars in settlements and jury verdicts for injured railroad workers. Mr. Sokoloff is currently representing permanently injured Amtrak, LIRR, Metro-North, Path, Union Pacific, and CSX employees in FELA matters all across the country.Mr. Sokoloff has launched his Railroad union law blog called RailRoad Ties, with informative articles on employee rights under both federal law and within respective collective bargaining contracts.

Forty Years of Railroad Union Service

Mark Glen Sokoloff began a career in Railroad Labor Law and FELA in 1977 as an Associate and then a Partner in the firm of O’Hagan & Reilly. Over this period of time Mr. Sokoloff’s firm was designated Union Counsel to the Carman Union, The U.T.U., IAWS, and IRSA, an independent union of Supervisors, Sokoloff formed twenty-two years ago.

Since 1977, Mr. Sokoloff has represented most crafts on railroads across the country including Machinists, Foremen, Conductors, Engineers, Hostlers, Carmen, Car Inspectors, Plumbers, Switch Operators, Master Mechanics, Wrecking Crews, Catenary Linemen, Laborers, Flagmen and BRAC Employees. Mr. Sokoloff filed the Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals case of Bates vs. LIRR which established railroad union worker civil rights under the A.D.A.; a precursor to the present-day U.S. Railway Safety Act.

Sokoloff’s mentor was Anthony D’Avanzo who first obtained the benefits railroaders enjoy today, including pensions, sick time and disabled accident benefits.

Mr. Sokoloff joined the Labor Law firm of Hach & Rose, LLP in 2008 in order to head up the FELA/Railroad injury department.

Hach & Rose, LLP‘s Professional Memberships

  • Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys
  • International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers AFL-CIO Local Lodge 754
  • Independent Railway Supervisors Association (IRSA)
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association Labor Law Committee
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Association of the Bar of the City of New York — Former member, Tort Litigation Committee
  • New York State Trial Lawyers Association
  • American Association of Justice

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John Patrick Connery

Jonathan Connery is a valuable asset to every case he joins. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, his attention to detail and understanding of the FELA statute enables him to be an invaluable asset to our FELA team.

Contact a FELA Attorney Today

Because railroad workers are not covered by workers’ compensation if they’re hurt on the job, it’s important to hire attorneys who are intimately familiar with the details of railway law, so they can pursue the comprehensive compensation afforded under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). The FELA lawyers of Hach & Rose, LLP have the drive and industry knowledge to support your case and secure maximum damages for those who have been harmed in the railroad industry. We are here for your questions and concerns. Contact us online, chat with us, or call us at (212) 779-0057 to schedule a free consultation.

Our Office:

Hach & Rose, LLP, 112 Madison Ave,

10th Floor, New York, NY 10016