Railroad workers have tough, dangerous jobs, according to a Railroad Accident Attorney in Avondale AZ. This has always been the case. From the earliest days of the railroad, when steam engines were carrying passengers and goods up and down the eastern states and heading west bringing settlers and supplies to the new territories, railroads have been indispensable to America’s future. Today’s railroad workers carry on this honorable but difficult tradition.
In 1908, FELA (Federal Employers Liability Act) was passed by Congress in recognition of the need for safe, sanitary working conditions for railroad workers. FELA ensures railroad workers’ rights are protected and work-related accidental injury or death compensation should be provided to the workers or their families. Even workers whose work duties do not require them to be directly on or around trains are protected if they are injured on the job.
Injured workers are entitled to compensation for past and future:
* Lost wages
* Medical expenses
* Pain and suffering, mental distress and loss of enjoyment of life
Proving Liability under FELA
FELA and Workers’ Compensation are similar, but have significant differences. In order to file a FELA claim, it is necessary to demonstrate that the defendant (who could be the railroad, other railroad employees or a manufacturer of railroad equipment) was negligent in some way and that this negligence caused the injuries. The intent is to show that the injury was sustained because the railroad worker didn’t have the reasonably safe workplace that the railroad company and employers had a duty to provide.
This duty to railroad workers could include:
* A reasonably safe workplace, tools and equipment
* Safety inspections
* Adequate supervision and training
* Protecting workers from other’s harmful acts
* Enforcing safety rules and regulations
* Preventing unreasonable work quotas
Kevin Garrison of the Garrison Law Firm is a Railroad Accident Attorney in Avondale AZ. For more than 25 years, this experienced trial attorney has been fighting for just compensation for accident victims. If you have been injured and feel that you need to pursue a FELA claim, contact the office to have your claim evaluated at no cost to you. Many FELA cases are sent to mediation or are settled before going to trial. He will protect your legal interests throughout the process.
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