When someone is fired or quits at work, it can leave a gap in responsibilities that others may need to take on while their employer finds a replacement. However, when there are consistent staff shortages and no end in sight, it can become incredibly difficult for the workers to pick up the slack of others, and in many instances, can lead to injuries. Unfortunately, many are unaware that if they are injured due to staff shortages, they may be eligible to pursue compensation by filing a FELA claim. The following blog explores these issues in further detail so you can explore your legal options with the assistance of a FELA lawyer during these times.
How Can Staff Shortages Lead to Injuries?
It’s no secret that working on railroads is an incredibly physical job. Whether you’re laying tracks or operating machinery, it can be physically and mentally exhausting. However, when you’re expected to do the jobs of multiple people because of staffing issues, it can make matters even more dangerous.
When a worker is taking on the roles of multiple people at once, the risk of sustaining an injury grows exponentially. One of the main reasons is exhaustion. When you are expected to perform additional duties on top of your own to make up for a staff shortage, it can lead to missing break times and staying late to complete tasks. As such, this can impact your ability to safely work, as you may make errors or mistakes that lead to injuries as a result of being overworked and forced to skip breaks or stay late at work.
In addition, if you are instructed to perform the tasks of coworkers until management can hire new employees, you may not have the experience or training necessary to safely complete tasks. If employers do not have the ability to adequately train you before expecting you to assume additional responsibilities, any injuries that occur may be eligible for a FELA claim.
It’s important to understand that when your employer does hire new workers but fails to adequately train them before letting them handle important tasks, it can still lead to an injury. In these circumstances, you’d likely be able to hold your employer liable.
What Should I Do if I’ve Been Injured?
If you have sustained an injury as a result of staff shortages, it’s important to understand how to proceed.
It’s also important to understand that to file a FELA claim, you must show that your employer was liable for the damages caused. As such, navigating the aftermath of a railroad injury is necessary to ensure you do not make any errors that can invalidate your claim.
As such, it’s critical to connect with an experienced railroad injury attorney as soon as possible. Unfortunately, you may find that the railroad claims agent is not on your side and will likely try to twist what you say to make it seem like you are assuming responsibility for the damages. However, when you have legal representation, they can help ensure that nothing you say can be used against you in a negative light.
At Doran & Murphy, we understand how difficult these matters can be. That’s why our firm will do everything possible to help fight for you during this process. We understand how frustrating it can be to sustain an injury because of your employer’s negligence, which is why our firm is committed to fighting for you. Connect with us today to learn more.
