CSX Engineer Crushed and Killed Between Locomotive and Rail Car

9/14/2011
Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton
Comments (0)

CSX Engineer Crushed and Killed Between Locomotive and Rail Car

The United Transportation Union is reporting that its membership suffered its ninth fatal on-the-job accident during 2011. According to the UTU, a 6-year veteran CSX engineer was crushed and killed between a locomotive and a rail car in Botkins, Ohio (OH), on September 8. The locomotive had been pushing a stalled train, and the accident occurred while the engineer was uncoupling it from the rear car of the train.

Getting trapped and injured or killed between rail cars is a constant danger for engineers, trainmen, switchmen and conductors in rail yards and on tracks. To cite two examples of this, my fellow Virginia (VA)-based FELA attorney Randy Appleton reported in January 2011 that an Iowa Interstate Railroad switchman almost lost his life when a train pinned him against the wall of a building in a Council Bluffs, Iowa (IA) yard. More recently, in July 2011, a Belt Railway yard worker in Chicago died when two rail cars collided while he was working in between them.

CSX has expressed it condolences for the family of the engineer killed in the Ohio accident. The rail company has also pledged a full investigation into what caused the tragedy. CSX officials, however, did not promise to immediately assist its former employee's wife and children. Nor did the railroad acknowledge that federal law requires investigations into the reasons for, and ways to prevent, on-the-job deaths.

So CSX cannot be lauded for its compassion. Shockingly, neither can the sheriff's department of Auglaize County, OH. Speaking with reporters at the accident scene, the sheriff told Dayton ABC affiliate WHIO TV, "Nothing at the scene indicated anything more than a work-related accident." To hear the sheriff tell it, the crush death of the engineer was no more remarkable than an office worker's paper cut.

Having represented many rail employees who suffered serious, life-altering injuries while doing their railroad jobs, I know firsthand that few, if any, accidents in rail yards and on tracks can be reasonably described as little more than a work-related mishap. I also know that family members forced to deal with the sudden, unexpected and almost definitely preventable death of a major breadwinner need immediate help more than mere expressions of sympathy from a railroad corporation.

I hope CSX will step up and compensate the engineer's family for their almost unimaginable loss. However, I know from more than 15 years spent fighting railroads that the company will not take responsibility. CSX treats the workers and their families poorly in litigation, so these folks should get an experienced FELA attorney to protect their best interests.

EJL

Category: Railroad Injury/FELA

Labels: Amtrak Cooper crushed between trains CSX engineer killed engineer FELA lawsuit locomotive Norfolk Southern on-the-job fatality rail car rail employee railroad worker railroad wrongful death switchman trainman Virginia FELA attorney wrongful death compensation

About the Editors: Shapiro, Lewis & Appleton is a Virginia injury law firm whose attorneys focus on personal injury and accident law and have handled hundreds of Federal Employers' Liability Act claims for railroad workers hurt or made ill while doing their rail jobs. We also have represented many people injured in train accidents. Please take a few moments to review our railroad injury case results. Our primary offices are in Virginia Beach and Hampton, VA, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness.

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis have been included among the Best Lawyers in America since 2008, and have been named Virginia Super Lawyers for Personal Injury Law since 2010. Fewer than 5 percent of lawyers are chosen for this professional honor.

In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical and respected law firms. Our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill. Our attorneys have even been included in the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2009.

We would like to send you one of our free reports about railroad injury and FELA cases, including Dos & Don'ts When Injured at a Railroad: Your FELA Rights and What Railroad Claim Agents Agents Won't Tell You (But You Must Know).

While not every injury case meets our criteria, we offer a free initial confidential injury case consultations, so call us toll free at (800) 752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail so we can return your call.

There are no comments.

Search Our Site

Get help Now!

Practice Areas

CSX Engineer Crushed and Killed Between Locomotive and Rail Car

Post a comment