New Orleans FELA Lawyer
If you have been injured while on the job, you can typically recover compensation through workers’ compensation. However, if you are a railroad worker, the process is different. If you are a railroad worker and have been injured at work, your ability to recover compensation is governed by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). FELA has a specific claims process in place. It identifies what you need to do to qualify for compensation and sets forth the damages that you can receive.
If you have been injured while working on a train, you want an experienced lawyer to protect your interests. Palazzo Law Firm can assist you with the process. Contact our New Orleans FELA lawyer today to see how we can help.
What Does FELA Do?
Congress enacted FELA due to the dangers inherent with employment in the railroad industry. FELA allows railroad workers to recover compensation for injuries suffered due to the negligence of a railroad carrier, its agents, servants, or employees. What this means is that if you have been injured on the job as a railroad worker, you can file a lawsuit in a state or federal court in order to recover compensation. FELA also reduces the burden of proof in ordinary negligence situations and waives the need to prove negligence in situations where the railroad has violated a safety statute or regulation.
Common Railroad Worker Injuries
The railroad is a hazardous environment. Trains are large, increasing the risk of serious injuries. Some common injuries include:
- Broken and fractured bones. Broken bones are among the most common railroad worker injuries. These injuries can happen in a variety of ways, including slipping and falling on a wet surface, losing balance while walking, or being struck by heavy objects in the workplace.
- Burn injuries. Railroad workers spend a lot of time around heated metal surfaces, which can increase the risk of severe burn injuries.
- Back and neck injuries. Railroad work involves lifting and moving heavy objects regularly. Over time, this can lead to serious neck and back injuries.
- Head injuries. Railroad workers face increased risks of head injuries due to slip and fall accidents and getting struck in the head by loose cargo. Brain injuries can occur, ranging from mild concussions to significant traumatic brain damage
- Crush injuries. There are moving objects all over rail yards, including freight cars, locomotives, cargo, and heavy equipment. There is a real risk of being crushed by these heavy objects, and this can lead to significant injuries.
- Loss of limb. Railroad workers face the risk of amputation or disfigurement caused by a variety of injuries. The fingers, hands, feet, arms, and legs can all be affected.
Contact Palazzo Law Firm Today
It is important that railroad workers understand their rights if they are injured on the job. Railroad work can be dangerous, resulting in serious injuries.
At Palazzo Law Firm, we work to make your job safer. If you have had an accident working on a train and want experienced legal counsel to guide you through the process, our New Orleans FELA lawyers can help. Schedule a consultation by filling out the online form or calling 504-433-1442.
