When a railroad worker develops chronic pain, numbness, or weakness that worsens over time, a skilled FELA attorney immediately looks beyond a single accident and evaluates whether the condition may be a repetitive stress injury. At Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp, our FELA lawyers have represented railroad workers nationwide who suffer from cumulative trauma and overuse injuries caused by years of demanding physical labor. Unlike standard workers’ compensation claims, repetitive stress injury cases involving railroad employees are governed by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), a federal negligence-based law that allows injured workers to pursue full compensation when a railroad fails to provide a reasonably safe workplace.
Repetitive Stress Injuries Among Railroad Workers Are Increasing
A growing number of our railroad worker clients are suffering from repetitive stress injuries, often referred to as RSIs. According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, musculoskeletal disorders account for roughly 30 percent of all nonfatal workplace injuries requiring days away from work each year, and cumulative trauma injuries continue to affect millions of American workers. Across industries, more than 1.8 million workers report work-related musculoskeletal conditions annually.
Railroad work is physically demanding. While some tasks may not appear repetitive in the traditional sense, cumulative wear and tear on joints, tendons, nerves, and muscles over time can result in serious injury. Employees do not have to perform the exact same motion all day, every day to develop an RSI. Repeated strain, awkward positioning, heavy tool use, exposure to vibration, and prolonged standing can gradually damage the body.
Common Causes of Repetitive Stress Injuries in the Railroad Industry
Contrary to popular belief, an employee’s age or job title alone does not determine whether he or she develops a repetitive stress injury. RSIs often result from workplace conditions that railroads have the power to correct. Common contributing factors include awkward posture, poorly designed equipment, forceful exertions, vibration from machinery, bending and twisting, prolonged static positions, exposure to extreme temperatures, and a lack of job rotation.
Many railroad positions involve lifting heavy components, operating vibrating tools, climbing, coupling railcars, or maintaining tracks under physically stressful conditions. Over time, these stressors can cause cumulative trauma. When railroads fail to conduct ergonomic assessments or ignore known hazards, they may be liable under FELA for the resulting injuries.
Most Common Types of RSIs Seen in FELA Claims
Repetitive stress injuries can affect nearly any part of the body. Among railroad workers, we frequently see diagnoses such as tendonitis, bursitis, trigger finger, ganglion cysts, carpal tunnel syndrome, epicondylitis (commonly known as tennis elbow), tenosynovitis, DeQuervain’s syndrome at the base of the thumb, chronic back pain, cumulative trauma disorder, and even occupational hearing loss related to prolonged exposure to vibration and noise.
These conditions often develop gradually. What begins as minor discomfort can progress to severe pain, nerve damage, loss of grip strength, or permanent impairment. In many serious FELA cases, surgery is required, and the worker may be permanently disqualified from returning to their former railroad position.
How Railroads Can Prevent RSIs but Often Fail to Act
Railroad companies are well aware of modifications that can reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries. Engineering changes, such as redesigning tools, improving handle grips, reducing vibration exposure, or mechanizing certain tasks, can significantly reduce strain. Administrative changes, including job rotation, mandatory rest breaks, and limiting exposure to repetitive tasks, also help prevent cumulative trauma.
Despite this knowledge, railroads too often fail to implement these safety measures. In some cases, companies neglect to conduct ergonomic analyses of job tasks altogether. In others, they conduct studies but ignore the recommendations because implementing changes would increase short-term costs. When a railroad carelessly fails to make necessary workplace adjustments or fails to warn employees about known risks, it may be found negligent under FELA.
Proving Negligence in a Repetitive Stress Injury FELA Case
Repetitive stress injury cases can be more complex than single-incident accident cases. Instead of one catastrophic event, the injury develops over months or years. To succeed in a FELA claim, the worker must prove that the railroad’s negligence played some part in causing the condition.
This often requires expert testimony from occupational medicine specialists, ergonomists, workplace safety professionals, and vocational experts. A thorough ergonomic analysis can demonstrate how a task placed excessive strain on specific joints or muscle groups and how reasonable modifications could have prevented the injury. By identifying unsafe practices, inadequate equipment design, or failure to rotate job duties, experienced FELA attorneys can build a compelling case that the railroad breached its duty to provide a safe work environment.
Statute of Limitations for Repetitive Stress Injury Claims Under FELA
Railroad workers should understand that FELA provides a three-year statute of limitations. However, in repetitive stress injury cases, determining when that three-year period begins to run requires careful legal analysis. Under the discovery rule, the clock typically starts when the worker knew or reasonably should have known that the injury was work-related.
Because RSIs develop gradually, this date is not always obvious. A worker may experience symptoms for years before receiving a formal diagnosis. Reviewing prior medical records and consulting medical experts is often necessary to determine when the claim legally accrued. Failing to file within the statute of limitations can permanently bar recovery, making early legal consultation essential.
Compensation Available in Repetitive Stress Injury FELA Claims
Unlike workers’ compensation systems that limit recovery to medical bills and a portion of lost wages, FELA allows injured railroad workers to pursue full damages. These damages may include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, diminished earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
In severe wear-out cases that require surgery or result in permanent job disqualification, damages can be substantial. Because FELA follows a comparative negligence standard, even if the worker shares some responsibility, compensation may still be awarded, though it may be reduced.
Frequently Asked Questions About Railroad Repetitive Stress Injury Claims
What is a repetitive stress injury under FELA?
A repetitive stress injury under FELA is a cumulative trauma condition caused by repeated strain, vibration, awkward posture, or prolonged physical stress in railroad employment. The worker must prove that the railroad’s negligence contributed to the injury.
How long do I have to file a FELA repetitive stress injury claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date you knew or should have known that your injury was related to railroad work. Because determining this date can be complex, early consultation with a FELA attorney is critical.
Do I need surgery to bring a repetitive stress injury case?
Not every case requires surgery, but in many significant wear-out cases, we look for injuries serious enough to require surgical intervention or that disqualify the worker from returning to his or her former railroad job.
Can I recover damages for pain and suffering?
Yes. FELA allows recovery for pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life, unlike traditional workers’ compensation systems.
Does my age prevent me from filing a claim?
No. Age alone does not prevent recovery. What matters is whether the railroad’s negligence contributed to the repetitive stress injury.
Contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp for a Free FELA Case Evaluation
If you believe you or a family member may be suffering from a repetitive stress injury related to railroad employment, do not delay seeking legal advice. The FELA attorneys at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp have decades of experience handling complex cumulative trauma cases for railroad workers across the country. Our firm handles FELA claims nationwide and works on a contingency fee basis, meaning we collect a fee only if we recover compensation for you. We cannot accept every case, but we are always willing to speak with injured railroad workers at no cost. Contact Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp today for a free case evaluation with a FELA lawyer and learn whether you have a viable claim under federal law.