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Railroad Accidents

Content Reviewed by: A. Parker Trotz
Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Mr. Trotz was recognized from 2019-2023 as a Super Lawyers Mid-South Rising Star. Mr. Trotz is also a member of the Young Lawyers Division of the Memphis Bar Association, Memphis Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, and the Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association where he serves on the Executive Committee. READ OUR EDITORIAL GUIDELINES

Tennessee FELA Attorneys Represent Injured Railroad Workers

Railroads have been around for centuries and to this day are still used across the United States to transport raw materials and finished goods from state to state. Railroads have long been regulated by federal law to promote efficiency and uniformity in safety standards, among others. Of all types of accidents, railroad accidents can produce some of the most devastating results, ranging from amputation of limbs, paralysis, to death. Employees working on a railroad run the risk of being hit by a train or injuring themselves while using heavy rail equipment to carry out their job duties.

Fortunately for railroad workers, federal law provides protection for those injured on the job through the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, commonly known as FELA. This federal law was passed by Congress in 1908 and designed to help injured railroaders recover for injuries caused by the negligence of the railroad company. Since most railroaders are not covered under their state’s workers’ compensation system, their only avenue to recover in a train accident case could be through asserting a claim under FELA. Unlike workers’ compensation, damages available in a FELA lawsuit may include full lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Succeeding in a FELA Claim

To succeed on a FELA claim, the injured worker must be able to prove that the railroad was at least partially responsible for the worker’s injuries. This is unlike the typical state law workers’ compensation claim, in which it is not always necessary to prove the employer’s negligence. In a FELA case, the negligence must result from “any of the officers, agents, or employees of such carrier, or by reason of any defect or insufficiency, due to its negligence, in its cars, engines, appliances, machinery, track, roadbed, works, boats, wharves, or other equipment.”

It is easy to see how FELA cases are extremely fact-specific, making it critical to fully investigate a railroad accident. When a railroad employee is hurt at work, it is likely that multiple factors could have led to the injury. Railroad companies and their employees must follow many specific federal regulations, and proving a violation could show a jury that a railroad company was to blame for the employee’s injuries and medical bills.

Railroad employees who think they may have been partially to blame for the accident and their injuries should not give up. Under FELA, employees who are found to be partially responsible for the incident may still recover damages, as the law specifically states comparative negligence is not a complete bar to recovery. Instead, the injured worker’s damages will be diminished by his or her percentage of fault.

Injured railroad employees should seek an experienced railroad accident attorney immediately. Federal law provides a limited timeframe in which to bring these claims. An injured railroad employee only has three (3) years to properly assert his or her claim, or else the claim will be barred forever. As time goes on, evidence may disappear and witness’ memories could fade. If you were injured while working on a railroad, you should seek counsel immediately who can begin investigating the accident and working on your case.

Consult an Experienced FELA Lawyer in Memphis or Surrounding Areas

If you have been injured while working on a railroad, you can consult the aggressive FELA attorneys at Nahon, Saharovich & Trotz. We are experienced trial advocates who know how to handle a claim with the tenacity that you deserve. Our firm serves victims in communities throughout Tennessee, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri, including in Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Jackson, Meridian, Tupelo, Columbus, Grenada, Starkville, Oxford, Hayti, and Caruthersville. Contact our office toll-free by calling 800-LAW-4004 or by completing our online form to set up a free consultation. If you need an attorney to fight for your rights, NST is the way to go.

Our Memphis Offices
Main Memphis OFFICE

488 S. Mendenhall Road Memphis, TN 38117

Phone: 901-683-7000

Fax: 901-462-3350

Whitehaven Office

4466 Elvis Presley Blvd

Suite 143
Memphis, TN 38116

Phone: 901-300-2400
Fax: 901-462-3350

Testimonials
- Climas B.
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"They stayed with my case until everything was resolved. My situation was complicated and they ensured things were in check from start to finish."
- Vicki L.
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"From start to finish it was a good experience. They listened and handled my case with compassion and care. I highly recommend them."
- Tasha S.
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"I was involved in a auto accident with my mother and she suggested NST to handle the case for us. Everything was handled professionally and in a timely manner."
Client Successes
$3,000,000.00
Obtained in tractor-trailer accident case for a husband and wife that suffered traumatic injuries.
$2,200,000.00
Recovered in car accident case against construction company in which our client suffered a traumatic brain injury.
$1,500,000.00
Received for a woman injured in car accident while on the job, who sustained numerous fractures and underwent several surgeries.