{"id":21627,"date":"2015-05-08T15:08:34","date_gmt":"2015-05-08T19:08:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/?page_id=21627"},"modified":"2022-11-21T19:43:12","modified_gmt":"2022-11-22T00:43:12","slug":"railroad-fela","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/railroad-fela\/","title":{"rendered":"Railroad & FELA"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Pittsburgh, PA, WV, OH & MA Railroad & FELA Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers<\/h3>\n

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Our Pittsburgh-based PA, WV, OH, & MA railroad and FELA lawyers represent injured or killed railroad crewmembers, track maintenance and right of way workers, and their families in FELA (Federal Employers’ Liability Act) negligence claims, and people and families whose loved ones have been injured or killed in railroad crossing and train derailment accidents, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Massachusetts, and around the U.S.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Based in Pittsburgh, PA, we represent railroad workers (locomotive engineers, conductors, brakemen, signalmen, yardmasters, maintenance of way workers, and trainmen), and their families, in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, and Massachusetts who have been seriously injured or killed by the conduct of railroads. We sue railroads and third parties under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, or FELA, and other laws. We are familiar with the FELA, related federal statutes such as the Locomotive Inspection Act and the Safety Appliance Act, as well as pertinent safety-related regulations issued by the Federal Railroad Administration. We also represent homeowners, motorists, and pedestrians injured or killed in serious railroad track crossing accidents, and derailments.\u00a0 And keep in mind: even if you are transferring between trains or work locations in a crew van, you are very likely covered by the FELA.<\/p>\n

Contingent Fee Representation: No Recovery, No Fee<\/h4>\n

We handle these types of cases on a contingent fee basis. We also advance the costs for the lawsuit, including the fees of experts and consultants. This means a client will not owe us a fee unless and until there is a settlement or judgment in the client’s favor. When\/if such occurs, the client would then owe us the agreed-to fee and any case expenses (such as court reporter charges, medical records fees, expert witness fees, etc.).<\/p>\n

We Understand How Devastating an Injury, or Loss of Life, Can Be to You and Your Family<\/h4>\n

Having been deeply involved in personal injury and wrongful death litigation for collectively more than 45 years, we understand the medical issues surrounding the injuries that can happen in railroad injury and wrongful death cases, including orthopedic and neurological injuries. We also know how devastating, both economically and emotionally, it can be to lose one’s ability to earn a living, or for a family when a loved one loses their life.<\/p>\n

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Frequently Asked Railroad Law Questions<\/h3>\n

Q:<\/strong> I\u2019m a railroad worker and was injured on the job. Is my work-related injury covered by workers\u2019 compensation?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> No. As opposed to the majority of workers in the U.S., when a railroader is injured on the job, federal law, a statute called the Federal Employers\u2019 Liability Act (\u201cFELA\u201d), governs the railroader\u2019s right to compensation for his or her injury.\u00a0\u00a0 And keep in mind that “on the job” includes when you are transferring between trains or other work locations in a crew van.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]Q:<\/strong> What is the FELA?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> Congress passed this special federal law in 1908 to protect railroaders due to the dangers of working for the railroads. Under the FELA, a railroader injured on the job can file a lawsuit seeking to recover, among other things, his or her past and future lost wages and benefits, past and future medical expenses, past and future pain and suffering, and past and future loss of enjoyment of life.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]Q:<\/strong> Do I have to prove the railroad was negligent in my FELA case?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> Generally, yes. Unlike \u201cno fault\u201d workers\u2019 compensation laws, the railroader in his or her FELA case must prove that the railroad was negligent \u2014 in other words the railroad failed to provide a reasonably safe place to work. In an FELA case, however, the burden of proof that the railroader has to shoulder to win his or her case is less than in a typical non-FELA negligence case, such as cases involving a slip and fall on a sidewalk or a car accident. This is often described as a \u201cfeatherweight\u201d standard. In fact, the railroader only has to prove that the railroad was negligent in some manner and that the railroad\u2019s negligence played a slight role in causing his or her injury, which standard is very favorable to the railroad worker. In sum, it does not matter that the railroad\u2019s negligence is relatively minor compared to the injuries suffered. As explained further below, however, in some situations the railroader does not even have to prove the railroad was negligent.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]Q:<\/strong> What happens if I contributed to causing my injury?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> Under the FELA, even if the railroader contributed to causing his or her injuries, the railroader is not precluded from recovering damages. Rather, any award of damages will be proportionately reduced by the percentage of the railroader\u2019s negligence. Lawyers call this \u201ccomparative negligence\u201d or \u201ccomparative responsibility.\u201d Therefore, if the railroader is awarded $200,000 in damages and the jury finds the railroader 50% responsible for causing his or her injuries, then the damages would be cut by 50% to $100,000. But, if the jury finds the railroad violated a federal safety statute, such as the Locomotive Inspection Act or the Federal Safety Appliance Act, and the violation caused the railroader\u2019s injuries, then the total amount of damages will not be reduced, regardless if the railroader contributed to causing their injury. Also, if the railroad violates one of these safety-related statutes, then it is strictly liable and the railroader does not have to prove the railroad was \u201cnegligent.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]Q:<\/strong> How long can I wait before filing my FELA case?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> The statute of limitations, which sets the deadline for when you have to file your lawsuit, is three (3) years under the FELA. Nevertheless, if the injury arises from an occupational disease that might take years to show up, the railroader must file the claim under the FELA within three years from the date he or she knew or should have known in the exercise of reasonable care that the occupational disease was related to their working for the railroad. Regardless, we recommend you not wait this long. As soon as you are involved in an accident or believe you may be suffering from a work-related illness, we recommend you contact a lawyer immediately. When people wait to file a lawsuit, documents tend to disappear, memories fade, and the scene of the accident may change. How long can I wait before filing my FELA case?[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]Q:<\/strong> Can my spouse file a loss of consortium claim if I am injured?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> No. The FELA does not permit \u201closs of consortium\u201d claims.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]Q:<\/strong> Can I file a lawsuit under the FELA on behalf of a deceased railroader?<\/p>\n

A:<\/strong> Yes. The FELA permits a personal representative of the deceased railroader to file both a survival action and wrongful death action against the railroad.[\/vc_column_text][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n

Railroad Law Post-Accident Checklist<\/h3>\n

If you or others are injured, call 911 for EMS and, if applicable, local or state police, sheriff, etc.<\/h4>\n

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    If no EMS\/hospital treatment is obtained, see your own doctor or hospital Emergency Room ASAP, as your medical condition indicates.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Get photos, even with a cell phone camera, of the accident scene, vehicles, equipment, products, involved.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    If possible, preserve the accident scene and any vehicles, equipment, or products, involved, until it can be investigated.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Write down the name, address, and phone number of all witnesses.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

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    Immediately report the accident orally and in writing, describing the highlights of how all persons, vehicles, equipment, and\/or products played a part.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  6. \n

    Try to avoid discussing the accident or giving a written or recorded statement until you have the opportunity to talk to your lawyer. You can call G&O 24\/7 at 412-281-4340 or toll-free at 1-877-404-6529.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  7. \n

    If a motor vehicle accident, report it to your insurance company (but see #7), exchange vehicle, driver, insurance information.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Free Post-Accident Credit Card Style Checklist<\/h4>\n

    If you’d like us to mail you a free credit-card style heavy duty plastic post-accident checklist (see below) with our 24\/7 contact info on the other side, just call us (412-281-4340 or 877-404-6529) or send us an\u00a0e-mail<\/a> and we’ll get one right out to you.<\/p>\n

    \"\"[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”100px”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    [vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/6″][vc_single_image image=”21538″ qode_css_animation=”” css=”.vc_custom_1432735132480{padding-top: 50px !important;}”][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text] Pittsburgh, PA, WV, OH & MA Railroad & FELA Injury and Wrongful Death Lawyers [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row row_type=”row” use_row_as_full_screen_section=”no” type=”full_width” text_align=”left” css_animation=””][vc_column width=”1\/12″][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”5\/6″][vc_separator type=”normal” color=”#c0ae00″ border_style=”” thickness=”2″ up=”50″ down=”50″][vc_column_text] Our Pittsburgh-based…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/Pa5Gqq-5CP","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21627"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/21627\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/golawllc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}