With the growing prevalence of online shopping and two-day shipping, it is not hard to overlook how important railroads are to keeping the United States running smoothly. Without railways and the workers who maintain and operate them, our country’s economy would bottom out, as gigantic industries such as manufacturing and agriculture would not get their shipments. What are some of […]
What Are the Most Common Dangers Faced by Railway Workers?
What Is a Defense Medical Examination?
More commonly referred to as a DME, a defense medical examination is the physical examination of an injured railway worker, conducted by a physician of the rail company’s choosing for the purpose of helping them defend themselves against your claim. How do I prepare for a defense medical examination? You may also hear this exam called an IME, an independent […]
Defenses Commonly Used in FELA Liability Cases
Under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, railroads have to provide a working environment that is reasonably safe. This involves supplying safe tools, machinery, and equipment and following all recognized safety protocols and safe working methods. What defense tactics am I likely to encounter in my FELA claim? Although this is the law, it is not always the case. In court, […]
Which Railroad Jobs Are the Most Dangerous?
Anyone can sustain a railway injury at any time. Whether you work as a track worker, a trainman, a clerk, or a shop worker, railroads are dangerous places and injuries are not an uncommon occurrence. When a worker in just about any other industry is hurt, their state workers’ compensation program covers their medical bills and a portion of their […]
Negligence Standards and Your FELA Claim
Due to the inherently dangerous nature of railroad work, railway employees face numerous hazards on a regular basis. It is important to recognize that not every injury is the result of occupational hazards. In a lot of cases, if your employer acted negligently, you are probably entitled to collect financial compensation. If you sustained an injury during the course and […]
The Link Between Hexavalent Chromium and Cancer in Railroad Workers
Railway workers are routinely required to weld locomotives, box cars, and other various other equipment. Welding is the method used to join two or more objects, typically metals, together. In order to accomplish this, the welder will use a blowtorch to bring the materials to their melting point and then fuse them together. Welding also releases fumes that contain dangerous […]
Commuter Train Derailments: Common Causes and Injuries
In metropolitan areas like Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC, public transportation provides an invaluable service. Although convenient, commuter trains can present multiple hazards that most passengers probably don’t even think about. Operators and owners of commuter trains have a duty of care to provide safe passage for those who use them. If injuries or deaths occur in a train derailment […]
Railway Workers and Asbestos Exposure
Railway workers have some of the highest rates of mesothelioma due to the fact that they have been exposed to asbestos products that are used throughout locomotives. Long or short-term exposure to the asbestos contained in brakes, insulation, gaskets, and cement can lead to asbestos-related sicknesses in railway workers. How are train workers exposed to asbestos? The Virginia FELA attorneys […]
FELA Basics For Injured Railway Workers
After being declared unconstitutional in 1906, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act was passed again in 1908. Since then, the FELA Act has persevered in the face of constitutionality tests while providing a federal system of economic recovery for railway workers who are killed or injured on the job. What kind of injuries qualify me for a FELA claim? Railway work […]
How Does the FELA Claims Process Work?
Before workers’ compensation laws existed in every state, the Federal Employer’s Liability Act was developed to protect railroad workers. If you were injured on the job as a railroad worker, a FELA attorney can help you successfully navigate the claims process. Who can I turn to after being injured on the job as a railroad worker? Since railroads travel over […]