Most workers in the country that are injured on-the-job can apply for workers’ compensation benefits. However, this does not apply to railroad workers. Instead, railroad workers fall under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA.) Unfortunately, many railroad workers in Minnesota who are injured while in the course of their job duties are unaware of their rights or how to proceed. Moreover, it takes a good deal of legal knowledge to succeed on such a claim.
In fact, pursuing a claim against the railroad company under FELA is the sole way a railroader or his or her family can be compensated for a workplace injury or death. As opposed to traditional workers’ compensation, there is no cap on how much recovery an injured railroad worker can pursue. Also, an injured railroad worker can seek compensation for pain and suffering, unlike what is available through traditional workers’ compensation.
However, any railroad worker pursuing a claim under FELA should have a good understanding on how the process works and what his or her rights are. That is when it is important for injured railroad workers to have legal advice, so they can make an informed decision about whether to seek compensation for their injuries under FELA.
The attorneys at Yaeger & Weiner Law have fought for decades on behalf of injured railroad workers. They understand how sometimes railroads will prioritize profits over worker safety, and they work to protect their clients’ rights. Their webpage on railroad worker injuries may be a good starting point for those who want more information on this subject.
