The Federal Employers' Liability Act, or FELA, is a federal law that was designed to protect, and potentially compensate, railroad workers who have been injured on the job. FELA was enacted in 1908, in response to the catastrophic injuries and needless deaths due to the unsafe working conditions on the railroad.
FELA is special because it does create a number of requirements that railroad employers have to meet. If they violate those requirements, then they could be held liable for the violations through FELA. Some of the requirements include:
- Providing railroad workers with a reasonably safe environment
- Giving railroad workers reasonably safe devices, tools and equipment
- Providing adequate training, supervision and support
- Enforcing and following safety regulations and rules
- Providing enough manpower to complete a job
If a worker is injured and wants to bring a FELA claim against a railroad, then they need to show that the railroad employer was negligent. They do not need to provide as much support as in a typical negligence claim, but they do need to show that the negligence somehow ties into the injuries that were suffered.
FELA cases are complex and unlike other areas of law. Your attorney will help you make your claim and show that the negligence that your employer caused or contributed to cause your injuries, symptoms and medical issues.
Our website has more on FELA cases and what you should do if you've been hurt while working for the railroad.
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