Chicago Railroad Worker (FELA) Injury Attorney

Railroad workers have a higher risk of injury than people in most other occupations. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2017 there were 13 work-related deaths per 100 full-time rail employees. Considering that the railroad industry is relatively small, employing around 200,000 workers nationwide, the risk of injury is statistically very high. Railroad workers are covered under the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA), which outlines their rights and obligations after an accident or injury at work.

• Railyard accidents
• Railroad crossing accidents
• Amtrak workers
• Metra workers
• Train derailments
• Train Crashes

FELA and Illinois Railroad Workers

In 1908, the U.S. government created FELA as a way to more fully compensate railroad workers for their injuries than did benefits received through regular workers compensation. Because of the high incidence of injury and death that occurred in the occupation, the government determined that a separate entity should be created to compensate injured railroad workers. It was decided that the burden of bearing this risk should be passed on to the railroad companies through FELA.

FELA differs from standard workers comp in several ways. Unlike workers’ compensation where fault for a workplace injury is irrelevant, an injured employee must prove at least partial fault on the part of their employer to make a successful claim under FELA, which is a tort-based system. This provides an advantage over a state law negligence action, in which the defendant must be shown to be more than 50 percent to blame for the plaintiff to recover at all. Moreover, damages awarded under FELA are often higher in value than under workers comp, and can include things like pain and suffering.

Common Causes of Railroad Injuries

Many accidents that injure railroad workers do not happen in train collisions or derailments but instead involve duties that are performed during the average work day. Train crash accidents account for a small percentage of railroad injuries, although they may be more severe. Some of the most common causes of railroad worker injuries are:

• Falls: Most injuries happen when a worker is walking and trips, falls, or stumbles over some type of obstacle.


• Hearing damage from experiencing elevated noise levels over long periods of time.


• Collision: Injuries sustained from driving or riding in other motor vehicles, such as trucks or forklifts.


• Overexertion injuries resulting from heavy lifting, lining switches, and applying the handbrakes.

Trust the Best Chicago FELA Law Firm for Railroad Worker Injury Lawsuits

Each railroad accident lawyer from our firm is experienced in handling FELA and railroad worker cases throughout Illinois. If you or a family member has been injured while working for a railroad, we invite you to discuss your options for compensation with a qualified railroad injury attorney. We offer a free consultation and do not charge a fee unless we are able to win a financial award on your behalf.

Resources for Chicago, IL, Railroad Injury Victims

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
  
• One Year Accident/Incident Overview