Traveling to a worksite can be dangerous for railroad workers

Railroads stretch across the United States, facilitating the transportation of goods and passengers. Although road travel has replaced railroads as the most common means of travel, trains and the railways they utilize are still crucial to domestic transportation.

Railroads cross roads in thousands of locations and run parallel to major streets in many areas. However, railways also travel through rural areas where there are few paved roads. Professionals working for the railroads, including blue-collar employees and engineers, often need to reach relatively remote locations to perform their job functions. They may need to evaluate existing railroads for maintenance or prepare for the installation of new rails.

In some cases, efforts to reach a job site can lead to workers sustaining significant injuries while on the clock. Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), injured railroad employees may sometimes have the right to request financial compensation for losses associated with on-the-job injuries and other work-acquired medical conditions.

Does the FELA protect workers injured in car crashes on their way to remote work sites?

Car crashes are a common job hazard

Workers in many different industries occasionally travel on public roads and even off-road while on the clock. As such, motor vehicle incidents are among the leading causes of serious worker injuries and preventable worker mortality.

The FELA can apply to any job-acquired medical condition affecting railroad employees. Both blue-collar workers performing hands-on maintenance or installing tasks and white-collar professionals, such as engineers, may have the right to seek compensation after a crash while accessing a remote work site.

FELA benefits can help cover current and future medical expenses. They may also be able to help workers replace lost wages until they can return to their positions with their employers. Generally, however, they need to show that negligence or fault on the part of the railroad contributed to their injuries. Employers demanding that workers travel on unpaved roads or in poorly-maintained fleet vehicles could be examples of scenarios where FELA compensation could follow a crash.

The process of securing compensation for work injuries can be more complex than a simple workers’ compensation claim. Injured railroad workers may need help evaluating their circumstances to determine if they are eligible to seek compensation under the FELA.

Documenting an injurious incident and acting promptly after a diagnosis of a work-acquired medical condition can help railroad employees make use of the laws in place for their protection. Railroad workers may be eligible for financial compensation after sustaining car crash injuries while on the clock.