Workers’ Compensation for Railroad Workers

In many lines of work, suffering an injury at work for any reason can qualify you for workers’ compensation assistance to pay for your medical bills and other expenses. Employees of railroad companies, however, face a unique set of conditions for workers compensation. No matter what role you serve at your railroad job, you will need to prove that your injury is a result of negligence.

These special requirements for railroad workers are described in the Federal Employers Liability act (FELA), which was passed in 1908. At the time, America was rapidly expanding its railroad system. Injuries to experienced rail workers kept this from progressing as quickly as it could. In response, FELA was passed to safeguard the safety of workers. The law has been in place ever since.

Proving that your injury was the result of someone’s negligence can be difficult. Typically you must show that your employer (or an equipment manufacturer, or other party) failed to reasonably ensure your safety. Fortunately, the burden of proof for employer negligence is generally lower than in other negligence cases. Even a small act of employer negligence can cause devastating injuries for workers.

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If you or someone you know has been injured while working for a railroad company, you may face a much different path to workers compensation than people in other lines of work. But with the help of an experienced Kankakee workers’ compensation lawyer, you can protect your rights. Contact the Law Office of Spiros Law today at 815-929-9292.