The Federal Employers’ Liability Act, passed in 1908 by the U.S. Congress, exists to protect and assist railroad workers who are injured on the job. A resident of Levittown has filed suit in connection with his workplace injury, claiming that his company failed to provide a safe workplace. The man says that if his managers had followed proper protocols for workplace safety, his accident would have been prevented.
The man suffered his injuries on June 7, 2011. He was in the process of moving a light tower when he experienced a serious electrical shock. His injuries from the incident included cardiac and neurological problems that necessitated an extended stay in the hospital. Additionally, he suffered injuries to his head, arms, feet and body tissue. He indicated that his managers failed to disconnect live wires from the tower, resulting in the shock.
The complaint states that the man lost his potential earning power as a result of the incident. Additionally, he claims that he has required expensive medical attention due to his injuries. In his suit, he seeks more than $150,000 in damages. Reports do not indicate how much money the man may have been entitled to through workers’ compensation. However, litigation via the FELA is an additional resource for qualifying railroad workers.
If the benefits available through workers’ compensation cannot cover all of the expenses stemming from a railroad worker’s on-the-job injuries, the FELA offers a means to pursue those funds, in full, from a negligent employer. It may be important for an employee in such a situation to work with a lawyer who has experience with railroad injury cases as the details of the accident may play a role in how the case is assembled. Timing of such a suit is also important as statutes of limitations are considered.
Source: The Pennsylvania Record, “Amtrak employee says company’s negligence caused electrical shock“, Jim Boyle, May 15, 2014