Railroad Accident Lawyer

Whether you were injured in a railroad crossing accident or suffered an injury as a railroad worker, you won’t win by fighting railroad companies on your own. Norfolk Southern, CSX, Amtrak and other railroads have massive legal and financial resources at their disposal. You need a Virginia railroad accident lawyer who is not afraid to go up against those resources. The union designated attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have the experience to fight for your rights and obtain a fair and just settlement for you and your family.

Reaching a Fair and Just Settlement

Although many disputes are settled in pre-trial negotiations, attorneys John Cooper and Jim Hurley have decades of experience to successfully argue your personal injury case in court. In choosing the right attorney to represent you, always choose an attorney that is able and willing to take your case to court if negotiations fail to reach a settlement. The railroads are aware of attorneys who are capable of taking your case to trial and are willing to make a fair and just settlement rather than receiving the negative publicity of losing in court.

Our Credentials on Railroad Cases

John Cooper is designated by Unions to represent their members if they are injured on the job. John is also a member of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys (ARLA) which unions that no longer designate attorneys, recognize as attorneys they recommend to their members. John Cooper and Jim Hurley have successfully represented injured employees from every craft including transportation and maintenance of way employees.

Attorney’s John Cooper and Jim Hurley have vast experience representing employees with various types of railroad accidents including:

• On the job injuries — Through the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA) claims, we fight for fair and just compensation if you’ve been injured on the job. If you have sustained an injury while working for a railroad, give us a call at 757-333-3333 or see our FAQ’s page.
• Railroad crossing accidents — Cars and trucks cross railroad tracks every day, putting both passengers and train crews at risk. Railroad crossings are often poorly maintained and inadequately marked that can lead to serious and even fatal injuries in a crossing accident. Often the crossings on back country roads and private crossings are left unattended and vegetation over growth can obscure your vision. Many crossings have no markings or warnings at all due to disputes between the railroads and the States on who is responsible for installing and maintaining the warning signals. If a train fails to sound a warning at a crossing, the railroad can be liable for injuries and damages sustained in a crossing accident.
• Railroad passenger injuries — Whether you are a railroad passenger injured while traveling on vacation or on your way to work via Amtrak, commuter rail, Norfolk Tide or any passenger rail service, we advocate for your fair and just compensation. In recent years, there has been a spate of deadly wrecks on Amtrak and commuter services across the United States.
• Railroad worker illnesses — Employees who work on the railroads for many years have been exposed to conditions that cause lung disease, repetitive physical stress injuries, cancers and a host of medical conditions. Workers have been exposed to asbestos, diesel exhaust, coal dust, silica, dangerous chemicals such as chlorine and numerous industrial cleaners both known and unknown. The attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers know how to fight for fair and just compensation for employees and their families that suffer career ending medical conditions caused by these hazardous exposures.

We work with a team of experts to develop strong, aggressive legal strategies and arguments, and we can also help you properly document your condition by recommending physicians who understand both traumatic and cumulative trauma injuries.

FELA Coverage for Railway Workers

By their nature, railroads are dangerous places to work. FELA provides coverage for railway workers, allowing them to obtain compensation from their employer for any injuries suffered on the job caused by the railroad’s negligence. A lawyer in Virginia could determine if FELA covers someone’s injuries following a railroad accident.

A wide range of factors can cause workers’ illnesses and injuries, including equipment failure, inhalation of dangerous chemicals, and repetitive motion injuries caused by rough riding trains. Even though railroad companies are aware of these hazards, they often fail to correct them, putting their employees at risk. Whether you work for Norfolk Southern, CSX or Amtrak, we have the power to take on your employer.

How is Negligence Established in a Railroad Worker Accident?

Establishing negligence requires investigation to gather evidence and witness testimony relating to the accident. A wide range of factors can cause workers’ illnesses and injuries, including equipment failure, insufficient help to perform the heavy work in a safe manner, improper tools and equipment, unsafe walking conditions, debris, poor lighting, inhalation of dangerous chemicals, repetitive stress injuries caused by rough riding trains and using hammers, sledge hammers and heavy pry bars. Even though railroad companies are aware of these hazards, they often fail to correct them, placing their employees in an unsafe work environment. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have the power and resources to take on your employer.

Who is Subject to Injury and Illness Because of Rail Company Negligence?

Every employee who works for the railroads are subject to injury and illness caused by the rail company’s negligence. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers employ investigators with decades of experience to obtain witness statements, photos and physical evidence to prove negligence against your railroad employer. If you sustain an injury, you should contact our office for a free consultation and advice on how to preserve this evidence as areas change and witnesses forget key elements over time.

Working With a Virginia Railroad Accident Attorney

Attorney John Cooper and Jim Hurley are dedicated to help you hold railroad companies accountable for negligence and pursuing the compensation you need to make a proper recovery. Contact Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers to discuss the facts of your situation. You can call our railroad injury number at 757-333-3333 or contact us online for help. Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers provide free consultations and only get paid if you get compensated.

Cooper has represented injured railroad workers for decades. We recently recovered more than $303,000 from Norfolk Southern Railway for a client who suffered an arm injury when he jumped out of the way of a giant set of train wheels.