Increase in Railroad Workers’ Deaths Sparks NTSB Study (Pt. 2)

Picking up from where Railroad Workers’ Deaths Sparks NTSB Study (Pt. 1) left off, below we will resume our discussion regarding railroad workers and the risks they face at work.

While the first part of this blog focused on the increase in deaths of some railroad workers over the past few years, here, we will focus on what can be done to better protect these workers, as well as what the options for compensation are after railroad workers are hurt on the job.

Protecting Railroad Workers: What Can Be Done

To reverse the increasing trend in railroad workers’ deaths, there are a number of actions that regulators, railroad companies and even workers themselves can take. Some of these include:

• For regulators, the task at hand is likely to be more diligent about enforcing existing safety regulations that railroad companies must follow in order to protect railroad workers as much as possible. It may also be time for regulators to take a close look at whether it’s time to update these regulations or even enact new safety requirements.
• For railroad companies, the task is to comply with all essential safety regulations and to train their railroad workers how to safely perform their jobs. Here, it’s important to mention that things like safety training should be an ongoing effort for employers, particularly railroad companies now that the death rates of some workers is on an upward trend.
• For railroad workers, the tasks are to follow through with all safety training, wear the essential personal protective gear and do their best to be conscious of safety while they perform their jobs day to day.

After Railroad Workers Get Hurt: Options for Compensation…

Regardless of how diligent regulators, railroad companies and railroad workers may be about safety, the tragic facts are that the world is an imperfect place and that accidents will happen anyways. When railroad workers end up getting hurt on the job, they should be aware of the fact that they will likely have a right to compensation for their injuries and that they may be able to obtain this compensation by:

• Filing a workers’ compensation claim – When standard workers’ compensation laws and insurance covers injured railroad workers, filing for workers’ compensation will allow them to obtain compensation for their medical bills and lost wages. In some cases, this compensation may provide extended benefits, such as in cases when injuries result in irreversible impairments.
• Filing a FELA claim – When standard workers’ compensation laws don’t apply to railroad workers, these people may be able to obtain compensation by filing a FELA claim. FELA claims can result in benefits that cover a worker’s medical care and lost wages, similar to traditional workers’ compensation claims.
• Filing a lawsuit – When the negligent party that caused the railroad workers’ injuries is not a railroad company (but is, instead, some third party like a subcontractor), injured railroad workers may be able to file a lawsuit against these parties in addition to pursuing workers’ comp or FELA claims. To find out if this is an option for you, consult with the experienced attorneys at Hassakis & Hassakis.

Mount Vernon Railroad Injury Lawyers at the Law Firm of Hassakis & Hassakis, P.C.

Have you or a loved one been hurt while working for a railroad company? If so, it’s time to contact the Mount Vernon railroad injury lawyers at the law firm of Hassakis & Hassakis. Since 1950, our trusted attorneys have been dedicated to providing client-centered representation to our Southern Illinois clients and to helping injured railroad workers get the compensation they need and deserve.

Contact Us Today

Let’s talk about your options for compensation. To set up a free initial consultation and receive professional advice about your case, contact us by calling (888) 896-9381 or by emailing us using the form at the upper right-hand side of the page.