St. Louis Railroad Accident Lawyers

The Federal Employers Liability Act was first passed in the early 1900s, in response to a sharp rise in reports of deaths and amputations among railway workers. However, these are not the only types of injuries that railroad workers may claim under FELA, and many other claims can arise in the modern workplace. Like workers' compensation, FELA allows claims for:

• Traumatic injuries -- wounds, broken bones or strains resulting from a specific incident.
• Repetitive stress -- strain on joints, hearing loss and other effects that build over time.
• Chronic aggravation of an existing injury or health condition because of work.
• Occupational exposure to substances that cause serious diseases or conditions.
• Deaths.

Statistics kept by the Federal Railroad Administration, the U.S. government agency that regulates and collects information on railroad safety, reflect a trend from serious traumatic injuries toward chronic problems. The agency reports that 46% of railroad employees' injuries are sprains or strains; 8% are fractures; 0.9% are dislocations; and 0.6% are amputations. Among injuries resulting from chemical exposure, 4.6% are occupational illnesses and 1.5% are one-time exposure to noise or fumes so potent that victims needed time off. Fortunately, only 0.4% of railway accident injuries result in death.

Among incidents that led to an injury or death, slips and falls were by far the most common, followed by overexertion, hitting or being struck by an object and collisions. The most commonly reported chronic problems were exposure to noise over time (2.3%), exposure to fumes or chemicals (2.3%) and aggravation of an unspecified preexisting condition (1.3%).

In the 1960s through the 1990s, hundreds of railroad employees filed FELA lawsuits over their exposure to toxic chemicals at work. These employees worked with or near diesel exhaust and a type of chemical cleaning solvent that was later found to cause toxic encephalopathy, a condition whose symptoms include brain damage, vertigo, memory loss and anxiety.

One railroad that used the solvent has paid more than $30 million in claims to date. The solvent is now out of use. Unfortunately, railroad workers, especially those using older equipment, are often still exposed to diesel exhaust, asbestos, rail dust and particles, PCBs and other harmful chemicals. This exposure can lead to serious lung conditions, including cancer, and aggravate existing ones like asthma.

Unfortunately, the drop in traumatic injuries doesn't mean railroad workers aren't still at risk for serious harm. Slips, falls and collisions can all lead to death or catastrophic disabilities like brain damage, spinal injuries or the loss of a limb. Chronic exposure to harmful substances can lead to life-threatening diseases like cancer, or permanent damage to the lungs, brain and other vital organs. Even a fracture can keep victims out of work for months, during which time they can't earn a living.

These injuries have serious consequences not only for the victims themselves, but for their families and loved ones who depend on their income and may be called on to provide care. In these cases, a FELA claim may allow them to recover past and future lost wages, past and future medical bills and compensation for pain and suffering, a permanent disability and more.

If you've lost a loved one in a railroad accident or were seriously injured at a railroad job, you should call Page || Cagle as soon as possible to discuss a possible FELA claim. You have just three years from the date of your injury to file a claim, and with each day, you may lose important evidence that can help our attorneys win your case. Furthermore, insurance companies or attorneys who work for your employer may try to limit their liability by asking you to waive your right to the courts.

Keep all of the paperwork generated by the accident, including medical bills as well as employer accident reports, and bring it to the free initial consultation with Page || Cagle. At that meeting, we will answer all of your questions, evaluate your case and explain what you stand to recover. If we become your attorneys, we promise to work to get you the fullest possible compensation for your injuries.

For a free consultation with an experienced Missouri railroad accident injury attorney, call Page || Cagle today at 1-866-620-5757 or (314) 322-8515, or click here for our confidential online case evaluation form.

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1232 Washington Avenue,
Suite 220
St. Louis, Missouri 63103
P: (314) 322-8515
Toll Free: (866) 620-5757
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