If you have further questions about railroad worker accidents, please contact Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers by calling us or contact us online today to schedule a free case evaluation with John Cooper or Jim Hurley. Our lawyers have handled FELA cases across the eastern United States, from Florida to Maine, in Michigan and further west. We are ready to come to you anywhere if you are seriously hurt by a railroad company.
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What is FELA?
FELA – the Federal Employers Liability Act – was passed in 1908 in response to the increasing dangers of railroad worker accidents. Under FELA, any worker who is injured while working on a railroad is entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering, as long as it can be proven that the railroad was at least partially at fault for the accident.
How is a FELA claim better than workers’ compensation?
Attorney John Cooper has been helping injured railroad workers and the families of those who have lost a loved one on the railroad to make a recovery for decades. FELA is only available to railroad workers and gives them better rights than they would have under workers’ compensation, but it is not a no-fault system like workers’ compensation. Railroad workers don’t qualify for workers’ compensation. FELA allows railroad workers to receive fuller damages as opposed to medical bills and some lost wages. They can receive all lost wages, future lost wages, permanent injury damage and damages for pain and suffering. Read more about the differences between the two systems of compensation here.
How is negligence proven in a railroad worker accident?
Establishing negligence on the railroad requires an investigation. Our Virginia railroad worker accident attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers work with a team of experts to gather evidence and witness testimonies relating to your accident, building a strong case on your behalf. Both John Cooper and Jim Hurley are devoted to providing you with the aggressive and personalized representation you deserve. We will take your case all the way to trial if that’s what is necessary to win the compensation you are due.
What can I collect from a FELA claim?
The damages you can collect will depend on the specifics of your railroad accident and the extent of your injuries. In many cases, you can claim compensation for all current and future medical expenses, all current and future lost wages, physical pain, and emotional distress. If you are losing your occupation, you can claim for future lost wages. You can claim for just about everything that happens to you as a result of your railroad work injury for the rest of your life.
Will any attorney be able to assist with my FELA claim?
FELA has very specific rules and regulations regarding claims. Attorneys who do not practice FELA law or typically represent injured railroad workers are likely not as prepared to handle the complexities of these cases as lawyers who have been working in this field for decades. FELA lawyers like John Cooper are familiar with the tricks that the railroad plays to fight your claim. We have seen the ways they try to manipulate workers who get hurt on the job and to harm their case. It makes sense to hire a specialized FELA injury attorney if you get hurt on the railroad.
The attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have decades of experience helping railroad workers file FELA claims and recover maximum settlements. We know what to expect from railroad companies and how to successfully secure the compensation you need. If we accept your case, you can rest assured that your claim is in capable, experienced hands.
Is an illness considered an injury by FELA?
Some railroad worker accidents are sudden, resulting in catastrophic injuries. Others, such as railroad worker illnesses, can be brought about by repetitive stress, exposure to environmental pollutants, and toxic chemicals. All of these conditions are considered injuries and covered by FELA.
Some illness on the railroad such as mesothelioma are deadly. Mesothelioma is linked to asbestos exposure. Work in rail yards is also linked to silicosis and pulmonary problems.
Is wrongful death covered by FELA?
Yes. We have helped the family members of railroad workers who have been killed on the job. If your loved one was killed as a result of their railroad work, you have grounds to make a claim under FELA against the railroad. The main focus of the damages in a FELA case involving wrongful death is the economic losses. If a worker is 45-year-old and he has been killed, his work wages until his retirement would be recoverable. The damages include the conscious pain and suffering which is a compensable element of FELA wrongful death damages.
