Railroad work is incredibly physical, with many workers performing manual labor on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this repeated physical stress on the body can result in a number of injuries, especially those that impact the joints. As such, if you have sustained joint injuries as a result of your time working for our nation’s railroads, this blog explores what you should know about these difficult matters, including the importance of working with a FELA lawyer to help you in the fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
What Joint Injuries Are Common for Railroad Workers?
Due to the nature of railroad work, it’s not uncommon for joints to be put under stress that can lead to tears, strains, and sprains. Often, heavy lifting, repeated motions, vibrations, and slips and falls can lead to these injuries. A s such, you’ll find some of the most common joint injuries include the following:
- Torn ligaments (ACLs, MCLs, UCLs, etc.)
- Torn meniscus
- Herniated discs
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tendinitis
- Bursitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
In some instances, these injuries may not immediately present themselves, as many of these are cumulative injuries. However, many can also result from a singular instance, like slipping and falling due to unsafe conditions in your work environment or being forced to lift an object that is too heavy by yourself due to understaffing.
What Steps Can I Take to Seek Compensation for My Injuries?
When you have suffered joint injuries as a result of your time on the railroad, it’s important to understand your legal options. Many injured workers assume they must pursue a workers’ compensation claim. However, it’s critical to understand that railroad workers are required to file a claim through the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), which is a federal law designed to help compensate injured employees for their employer’s negligence.
Because this is a fault-based system, an injured worker must prove that their employer was at least somewhat liable for the injuries they sustained. For joint injuries, employer negligence can look like failure to provide adequate training, lack of adequate breaks, unsafe work environments causing slips and falls, and lack of proper protective equipment.
Filing a FELA claim can be complicated. Unfortunately, the railroad company will likely do everything in its power to undermine the value of your claim to reduce its liability and subsequent damages. As such, it is imperative to connect with an experienced FELA attorney to help you file a claim and fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Doran & Murphy, our dedicated team understands how difficult it can be to navigate a FELA claim while recovering from a joint injury. As such, our firm will do everything in our power to help you recover the compensation and justice you deserve. When you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact us today.
