When most people think of manual labor jobs, they may picture farmers or construction workers. However, many railroad workers perform demanding and tough physical labor. Unfortunately, these jobs often carry a significant risk of injury, especially when performing lifting tasks. As such, if you have sustained lifting injuries on the railroad, it’s important to understand your legal rights. Keep reading to learn more about the common injuries you can face and the importance of connecting with a railroad lifting injury lawyer to discuss your rights.
What Kind of Lifting Injuries Can I Sustain From Railroad Work?
It is not uncommon for different railroad workers, like carmen, track men, and pipefitters, to do some form of lifting heavy objects as part of their jobs. This includes tools, equipment, hooks, ties, ballast, and materials. However, without proper training, adequate staffing, or provided equipment, workers can suffer serious injuries. These include, but are not limited to, the following injuries:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Muscle tears
- Sprains and strains
- Soft tissue damage (torn ACL, MCL, UCL, etc.)
- Herniated disc
- Rotator cuff tears
These injuries can cause significant issues, as they will not only inhibit your ability to do your job but can also become chronic. As such, it is imperative to see a medical professional as soon as possible following an injury to mitigate potential long-term issues.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Injuries?
If you are injured as a result of a lifting injury on the railroad, it’s imperative to understand your legal options. Injured railroad employees are required to file a claim through the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) to fight for the compensation they deserve. However, unlike traditional workers’ compensation, in which you can seek funds regardless of the circumstances of your injuries, FELA requires some degree of negligence by your employer.
As such, if you were injured because your employer failed to provide a safe work environment, did not provide adequate breaks, was continually understaffed, or failed to ensure that you had the proper equipment, they can face liability for the injuries you endured.
Generally, under FELA, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages. The economic damages you can recover include medical expenses, diminished earning capacity for chronic injury, and lost wages. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and mental anguish.
Suffering a serious injury as a result of unsafe working conditions can be incredibly devastating, as these injuries can often be avoided. That is why it’s imperative to connect with an experienced FELA attorney to guide you through these matters. Unfortunately, navigating a FELA claim on your own while healing from the injuries you’ve endured can be overwhelming. That is why the team at Doran & Murphy is here to assist you. When you need help, our firm is here.
