Recoveries for Injured Railroad Workers

Workers in most industries who sustain injuries on the job are entitled to a recovery for their injuries under Workers Compensation. However, railroad workers who sustain on-the-job injuries recover under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). This is a Federal law, enacted in 1906, that sets forth a path to compensation similar to workers compensation, but through the court system. Before it was enacted, injured railroad workers had no way to recover for their work-related injuries.

The FELA provides a method for railroad workers to obtain compensation even if the worker’s job is not performed on trains. It applies to local commuter rail systems and freight and passenger carriers. It covers injuries from immediate trauma such as brain injuries, severe fractures, and spine injuries to repetitive exposure injuries such as injuries from asbestos.
We at Heimanson & Wolf, LLP are experienced in representing railroad employees in FELA claims.