It’s no secret that railroad jobs are inherently dangerous. However, one thing you may discover that puts your health and safety at risk is the fact that you must often get on and off moving equipment. Unfortunately, there are several injuries associated with this action, and despite being aware of the risks, companies continue to require employees to engage in this action. If you have suffered an injury while getting on and off moving equipment, understanding your rights is critical. Keep reading to learn how a moving railroad equipment injuries lawyer can represent you.
Why Must Workers Get On and Off Equipment?
In many instances, the only reason that workers must get on and off railroad cars and locomotives while they are still moving is to increase productivity. Instead of waiting for the train to come to a complete stop, climbing on or off of it while it is moving can save time that workers can allot to other duties.
It’s important to note that many railroads at one point outlawed this practice due to the dangers associated with it. However, because of Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR), railroads have since turned back on their word and allowed this process to continue to ensure schedules run on time, sacrificing the safety of their workers instead.
What Injuries Can Workers Sustain When Getting On and Off Moving Equipment?
Unfortunately, there are several often catastrophic injuries workers can sustain while getting on or off moving equipment. This is because the movements of rail cars and locomotives are unpredictable, meaning you can lose your footing when landing. Additionally, the unstable terrain can lead you to slip or trip when trying to get off. Finally, if you slip or trip when trying to get on or off, you can get stuck between rail cars leading to catastrophic injuries. These injuries include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Broken bones
- Ligament tears
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Crush injuries and amputations
- Death
How Can an Attorney Help?
If you or a loved one sustained any of the aforementioned injuries, understanding whether or not you can file a claim to recover compensation is critical. Unfortunately, many are unaware of their rights, leading them to suffer because of their injuries with no funds from the negligent company.
Connecting with an experienced attorney is critical to recovering the compensation you are entitled to under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA). However, it’s essential to understand you can’t rely on any regular personal injury attorney for this matter, as FELA is very different from workers’ compensation. As such, working with a law firm that specializes in representing injured railroad workers is critical.
At Doran & Murphy, we understand how complex these matters can be, which is why our team is dedicated to working with you. Connect with our competent team today to learn how we will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve when profits are prioritized over your safety.
