Lubbock Railroad Accident Lawyer
For many years, trains have helped transport people and cargo across the city, state, and country. The people who work for the railroads perform a great service by helping maintain the tracks, operate the trains, and service the rail yard and vehicles. Railroad workers should have the right to expect that they have a safe place to work. Unfortunately, railroad employees suffer serious on-the-job injuries every year. These injuries can interfere with their ability to work and their overall quality of life.
If a railroad accident hurt you or your loved one, you might be eligible for financial compensation. A Lubbock railroad accident lawyer could help you recover what you need to heal. A personal injury attorney is ready to protect your rights.
Common Causes of Train and Railyard Accidents
Many different railroad accidents injure railroad employees, passengers, and passersby. These accidents could involve a variety of trains, such as interstate trains, commuter rails, freight trains, or trolleys. People could suffer severe injuries while on the train, tracks, or grounds. Railroad accidents could include collisions with other trains, derailments, runaway trains, and rail yard injuries.
Many of these accidents occur because of negligence or carelessness on the part of a person or railroad company. Some examples of problems that could lead to railroad accidents include the following:
- Mechanical failure due to inadequate maintenance or defective parts
- Dangerous workplace conditions in the railyard, buildings, and other facilities
- Lack of adequate training and supervision of workers
- Lack of maintenance of the railroad track and other equipment
- Excessive loads
- Violations of safety regulations
- Negligent security on a train or at a station leading to criminal activity
- Speeding
- Failures in right-of-way procedures and operations
- Inadequate warnings about safety hazards
A seasoned attorney in Lubbock has had experience with all types of train accidents. They know where to look to determine the precise cause of an incident and who could be legally to blame.
Avenues of Legal Recovery for a Railroad Employee in Lubbock
Train injuries can result in severe, life-changing injuries, such as broken bones, burns, internal organ trauma, spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, and deaths. Sadly, some people do not survive railroad injuries. Railroad workers are not eligible to collect the same types of workers’ compensation benefits as other workers who suffer injuries due to their job.
Fortunately, the federal government established the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), which provides injured railroad workers an avenue to recover damages for the harm they suffer due to their job duties. In the unfortunate event of an untimely death of a railroad employee, FELA provides surviving family members with an opportunity to obtain benefits that could help them get through their most challenging times.
If the railroad’s negligence, no matter how small, played any role in a railroad worker’s injury or death, a worker or their family could file a claim against the railroad under FELA. A knowledgeable attorney in Lubbock could help explain how FELA works and how it applies to an individual railroad accident case.
Work With a Lubbock Railroad Accident Attorney
Railroad workers should have the same expectation of workplace safety as every other worker in this country. Unfortunately, railroad employers often do not exercise reasonable care concerning the safety of their workers, which can lead to devastating injuries and deaths.
If you believe a railroad’s negligence contributed to your injury, you might be eligible to file a legal claim under FELA for monetary damages and benefits. Work with a Lubbock railroad accident lawyer to learn how they could help. Contact Chad Jones Law today to discuss your case.
