All across the United States, staffing shortages are crippling major industries. The problem is especially critical on the railroads where indications of a strike nearly shut down services and paralyzed the economy. These worker shortages are not good for safety or for business on railroads where current conditions already have employees stretched to their breaking point. In September, a standoff […]
Is the Railroad Staffing Shortage Affecting Worker Safety?
Do Railroad Office Workers Have FELA Rights?
Yes, to give the briefest and clearest answer. Any employee of a railroad corporation that engages in interstate commerce has coverage for work-related injuries and occupational illnesses under the law formally known as the Federal Employers Liability Act. LEARN MORE Retired Railroad Workers Can File FELA Claims Are There Damage Limits Under FELA? FELA was enacted in 1908 to protect […]
DC Metro’s ‘SafeTrack’ Plan Being Delayed
DC Metro officials this week confirmed that the final draft of their ‘SafeTrack’ repair plan is going to be delayed as metro officials continue to work with the Federal Transit Administration to meet safety guidelines. Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld announced initial draft of the huge repair plan on May 6, and promised the final draft yesterday. A track explosion […]
NYC’s Metro-North Line Reports More Injuries in 2015
Metro-North, a major commuter railroad line in the New York City metro region, reported this week that both customer and employee injuries increased in 2015. Statistics show that total employee injuries are up by 9.5% from 2014. Meanwhile, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reportable injuries have increased by 1.7%. However, injuries for customers on Metro-North increased in 2015 by 30%. Metro-North […]
1 Dead After Train Hits Car in Jacksonville FL
One person died in Jacksonville FL when an Amtrak train slammed into an SUV that was straddling the tracks last week, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The police stated that the train hit the Chevrolet Tahoe at approximately 7:20 PM on Jan. 14. The driver of the SUV died after he was taken to a local hospital. According to […]
FRA Scrutinizes Railroad Merger Due to Safety Concerns
Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. wants to merge with Norfolk Southern Corp., but federal regulators in the US worry that mergers of large railroads could lead to railroad safety concerns. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulates rail safety in the United States, and is looking carefully at the proposed merger, as it scrutinizes safety worries that could result when such large […]
Ohio Man Dies in Rail Crossing Accident
A man died in Huron Township OH on Nov. 24 after a train smashed into his car at a railroad crossing. The man was driving a 2008 Ford van on Rye Beach Rd. in Huron Township when he approached the railroad tracks south of SR 2. He tried to skirt the railroad crossing gates when a Norfolk Southern train slammed […]
Safety Improvements Underway at Deadly TN Railroad Crossing
Work is currently underway at a deadly railroad crossing in Harriman, Tennessee that was the site of a deadly crash that killed two people in 2014. In May 2014, a car was struck by a train at the crossing of US 27 and Mountain View Rd. in Harriman. Several safety improvements were announced early this year, which were funded by […]
Railroad Track Was Set for Replacement Day After VA Derailment
By Richard Shapiro, Virginia Railroad Accident Attorney A section of railroad track that was owned by CSX in Lynchburg, Virginia (VA) was set to be replaced – the day after a crude oil trail derailed and broke out in flames. The National Transportation Safety Board issued this report in late August into the derailment, which occurred on April 30, 2014. […]