Hampton Railroad Worker Injuries Attorney

The Virginia workers’ compensation system provides benefits for many people who suffer injuries on the job. However, certain professions have different avenues for such benefits, and the railroad industry is one example, as they are covered by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). While this law is often compared to state workers’ compensation laws, there are some important differences in the FELA claim process that are important to recognize.

Injured rail workers often deserve compensation for injuries sustained due to their jobs. If you need to file a claim or appeal a claim denial, do not wait to consult with Virginia FELA attorneys at Hampton Injury Law PLC.

Common Railroad Injuries

Railroad workers can be involved in many types of accidents, or they might develop repetitive strain injuries, illness from toxic exposure, or other conditions. The following are some common railroad injuries that our firm sees:

• Neck and back injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Fractures
• Lacerations
• Burns
• Spinal cord injury and paralysis
• Traumatic brain injury
• Nerve damage
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Respiratory injury
• Mesothelioma or lung cancer
• Chemical burns
• Internal injuries

All of these injuries should be properly treated by medical professionals, but the costs of treatment and possible missed work can understandably create financial stress for injured workers and their families. This is why it’s so important to know your rights under FELA.

Obtaining Compensation through a FELA Claim

State workers’ compensation systems are no-fault, which means that injured workers can qualify for benefits no matter whether the employer was responsible for the accident and injury or not. On the other hand, FELA sets out a fault-based system that requires injured rail employees to demonstrate that their employer or a related party’s negligence was at least partly to blame for the accident.

Some acts of negligence that might contribute to injuries and lead to a FELA claim are primarily a failure to provide a reasonably safe workplace, which may include but are not limited to:

• Inadequate worker training
• Negligent supervision of workers
• Failing to maintain equipment
• Providing defective equipment
• Improper train operation
• Toxic chemical exposure
• Inadequate safety procedures or oversight
• Poor lighting
• Failing to provide adequate on the job assistance
• Discouraging any railroad employee from reporting an injury claim
• Any other unsafe or unhealthy working conditions

Proving negligence makes FELA claims significantly more complicated than your standard workers’ compensation claim. However, if you can successfully prove your case, you can recover damages to cover your:

• Past and future medical costs
• Past and future lost wages and benefits
• Out-of-pockets costs
• Past and future pain and suffering
• Loss of limbs or organs
• Permanent disfigurement or disability
• Wrongful death losses to families

These damages can help you and your family move forward following your work-related railroad injury, but many people have their claims denied. It is always best to have the assistance of an experienced FELA lawyer from the start of the process. If you already filed a claim, we can help with the process and appeal denials you received.

Consult with a Virginia Railroad Worker Injury Lawyer Today

If you sustained on-the-job injuries as a railroad worker, you want Hampton Injury Law PLC on your side. Contact us to discuss your rights and options with a Virginia railroad injury attorney right away.