Every year, hundreds of Texas railroad workers are injured on the job. According to the Federal Railroad Administration, 727 Texas railroad workers were injured on the job in 2021 alone. Union Pacific, one of Texas’ largest railroad employers, accounted for almost half of all of those injuries. Injuries can happen in many ways including collisions, slip and falls, exposure to fumes, overexertion, sudden/unexpected movement of equipment, equipment malfunction, lack of suitable tools, and human error. Due to the nature of railroad work and the equipment involved, injuries on the railroad are often serious, resulting in substantial medical bills, lost wages, and long-term pain and suffering.
What many Texas railroad workers may not realize is that they are protected by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). If a Texas railroad worker is injured on the job, the injured worker has the right to sue for damages in either state or federal court, which is not an option for those pursuing a worker’s compensation claim. Although FELA awards are typically higher than those of workers’ compensation claims, railroad employees are required to prove that the railroad was negligent in causing their injuries, in whole or in part, in order to receive compensation. Even if a worker is also at fault, he or she may be entitled to compensation. In many cases, the railroad’s negligence may not be apparent. An experienced Texas railroad injury attorney can help you determine if a railroad’s negligence played a part in your injury.
In addition to covering bodily injuries sustained from railroad-related activities, the FELA also covers injuries caused by exposure to asbestos, diesel fumes (benzene), silica or ballast dust, solvents, welding fumes, and weedkillers such as Roundup. These exposures have been linked to various types of cancer and were widely used on the railroad. Our firm has obtained compensation for Texas railroad workers in all types of FELA cases.
If you or a loved one has been injured while working for the railroad, please give us a call for a free consultation.
