Railroad Worker Injury Lawyer (FELA): Chicago, Illinois

Railroad workers have a higher risk of injury than people in most other occupations. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2017 there were thirteen 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 a serious injury at work.

Railroad workers in Chicago, Illinois are employed by companies such as Union Pacific Railroad, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF), Canadian National, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Metra commuter transit system.

The Chicago personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC are proud to represent injured railroad workers from across the state of Illinois.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in an Illinois railroad mishap, contact our experienced Chicago, IL railroad worker injury attorneys now for a free review of your case.

As with all of our serious injury cases, our law office handles FELA claims on a contingency fee basis where we only receive a legal fee when we are successful in obtaining a financial recovery for you.

Legal Protection for Injured Railroad Workers Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)

The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) is a law enacted by Congress to compensate and provide recovery for rail workers injured on the job in Illinois and other states.

Passed in 1908, the United States Government created FELA as a way to more fully compensate rail 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 workers injured in railroad accidents.

Key Differences Between FELA and Workers Compensation Law

It was decided that the burden of bearing this risk should be passed on to the railroad companies through FELA. FELA differs from standard Illinois workers' compensation law in several ways.

Unlike workers' compensation where fault for a workplace injury is irrelevant, an injured railroad employee must prove at least partial fault on the part of their employer to make a successful FELA claim, which is a tort-based system.

For a railroad worker, 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 in a FELA case are often higher in value than under workers' compensation and can include damages such as, lost wages, medical expenses and pain and suffering as determined by a jury. Under the workers compensation laws of the state of Illinois, railroad worker would be limited in their financial recovery based upon the statutory limits on compensation under workers comp.

Because of the unique requirements that apply to railroad injury cases, it is important for an injured worker to have the representation of a skilled railroad accident attorney.

Since negligence must be proven, retaining a FELA lawyer who fully understands the legalities involved in railroad worker injury and damages cases can make a significant difference in the amount of compensation you receive from a jury.

Frequent Causes of Railroad Worker Injuries

Many mishaps that injure railroad employees do not happen in train accidents or derailments, but instead, involve duties that are performed during the average workday. Train crash accidents account for a small percentage of railroad worker injuries, although they may be more severe.

Some of the most common causes of railroad worker injury 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: Trauma 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 hand-brakes.

Common Types of Illinois Railroad Worker Accidents

Every year, thousands of railroad employees are involved in workplace mishaps. These accidents take a physical, financial, and emotional toll on them. The state of Illinois is one of the most frequent places for railroad injuries.
These incidents take place on the railroad tracks, out in the yards, or even on the train. Here are some of the most common types of railroad negligence cases filed under FELA law:

• Overexertion: Overexertion accidents for injured railroad employees were put in tough situations like when they have to lift too much or lean too far to reach something. The unfortunate circumstances are put on them by the railroad employee and not a sign of employee failure.
• Equipment: Railroad equipment and tools are complex and dangerous. Even with proper training and supervision, an incident can arise, but workers do not always get those advantages. Linking tools, hammers, and other equipment cause numerous mishaps for railroad staff.
• Trains: Trains, cars, and other vehicles trigger many accidents for rail workers. Employees are frequently crushed, sideswiped, run over, or otherwise injured on the job.
• Noise/Fumes: Railroad companies do not do a good job containing dangerous fumes and noises. These failures cause permanent damage to workers' lungs, ears, and other parts of their bodies.

Railroad Worker Injury Law FAQs

In the section that follows, we answer some questions that people commonly ask about railroad employee injuries and mishaps.

We appreciate that you may have additional questions and we welcome you to call one of our experienced FELA lawyers for a free consultation.

Trust the Illinois FELA Attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers for Railroad Worker Accident Lawsuits

Each railroad accident lawyer from our law firm is experienced in handling railroad worker injury legal issues throughout the state.

If you or a family member has been injured while working for a railroad and experienced pain and suffering, we invite you to discuss your options for compensation with a qualified personal injury attorney.

Our law office is proud to be recognized by rail workers as a trusted law firm committed to the rights of injured workers.

Call our FELA lawyers today at (888) 424-5757 (toll-free phone call) or contact us online to schedule a free consultation when you're injured through someone else's negligence. We've recovered millions of dollars in compensation and damages in FELA settlements and look forward to doing the same for you.

Please do not send sensitive information to our law office through voicemail, email, or text message. Let our law firm talk to you about your case through a confidential attorney-client relationship

Our Chicago, IL personal injury lawyers follow social distancing guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19 (coronavirus).

Resources for Chicago, IL, Railroad Industry and Worker Injury Victims

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• One Year Accident/Incident Overview
• Railroad Crossing
• Amtrak Employee
• Creosote Exposure
• FELA Accidents FAQs