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Don't be fooled into thinking the railroad claims agent is looking out for you after a railroad accident or with regard to a disease claim like asbestosis or mesothelioma. This page is focused on providing you with relevant information regarding railroad injuries/diseases and FELA law.

About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses exclusively on injury and accident law. We have a proven track record in the court room, and you can review our case results to see for yourself. Our attorneys have deep roots in Virginia and handle cases throughout the commonwealth. Our office is based in Virginia Beach, but we're ready to come to you anywhere in Virginia if you've been seriously hurt by someone else's carelessness. While not every injury case meets our criteria,  we off a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.  

Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition. Rick and James, along with fellow attorney John Cooper were named Virginia "Super Lawyers" For Personal Injury Law  (2010 Ed., less than 5% of lawyers are chosen), and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, we were the first injury law firm in Virginia to join Primerus, a select group of highly ethical, 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.

We also offer free special reports along with editing the Virginia Beach Injuryboard and Norfolk Injuryboard as a public information service. Our injury attorneys also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube, a Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers blog, a Medical Malpractice and Surgical Errors blog, and a blog dedicated to accident and safety issues on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

Blog for Railroad Injury/FELA

• In Landmark Case, Amtrak Worker Wins $160K for Workplace Retaliation
• Metrolink Offers $200 million to Victims of Deadly Southern California Train Disaster
• Are There Damage Limitations in FELA?
• Train Collision, Diesel Spill in CSX West Virginia (WV) Facility
• Amtrak Train Slams Into Car at Private Rail Crossing in James City County, Virginia (VA), Killing Driver
• Deadliest Railroad Crossings Must Be Improved, Feds Order
• Norfolk Southern Train Rolls Over, Kills Conductor
• Teen Killed in Collision With Union Pacific Train at 'Unprotected Crossing' in Oklahoma (OK)
• CSX Held Liable for Family Member's Mesothelioma Caused by 'Second-Hand' Asbestos
• Amtrak train collides with truck, 13 injured
• Jury Awards $200 Million to Woman Struggling with Asbestos-Induced Mesothelioma
• CSX Railroad's Cute “Breathing” Commercial Hides Sad Truth about Lung Cancer and Mesothelioma Among Railroad Workers
• Asbestosis Victim Receives $15 Million Award from Jury
• Three Killed by Runaway Freight Train Cars in Norway
• Car Driver Trying to Beat Utah (UT) Commuter Train Kills Self, Passenger
• Norfolk Southern Required to Pay Multi-Million Dollar Penalty for Accident Releasing Toxic Chlorine Gas
• Teens' Deaths Raise Questions Over Controlling Pedestrian Access to Train Tracks
• Fatal Commuter Train Crash in Belgium Apparently Due to Missing Automatic Braking System
• Amtrak Train Damaged, Delayed After Hitting Dump Truck in Northern Virginia (VA)
• Amtrak Train Headed to Florida Partially Derails in Fairfax County, Virginia

Library for Railroad Injury/FELA:

• Railroad Locomotive Engine Explosions: Breathing and Chemical Injuries Involving Railroads   
  Description: If you have inhaled chemicals, smoke or fumes due to an explosion, collision or crash involving a railroad locomotive, and suffer from a disease or breathing disorder because of it, check out this article. Permanent injuries, breathing disorders or diseases resulting from explosions, derailments or crashes and the chemicals, fumes and smoke accompanying them, are often violations of the Locomotive Inspection Act, and as such may be remedied by evidence from your medical doctor and a good, experienced attorney versed in railroad regulations and railroad law.
• Repetitive Trauma Claims Under FELA   
  Description: If you’ve been diagnosed with a repetitive stress injury after years of working for a railroad company, you should consult with a lawyer to determine if you qualify for compensation under FELA. To learn more, check out this article.
• Railroad Worker Mesothelioma/Cancers: Learn Where the Toxic Asbestos Was and When the Rail Companies Knew It Was a Problem   
  Description: It's been known for decades that exposure to asbestos helped cause mesothelioma cancer and other terrible illnesses. Railroad workers who spent their lives working for Norfolk Southern, CSX, C&O, Conrail, etc. are now suffering because they were exposed to asbestos on a regular basis. If you're one of these rail employees and are currently struggling with mesothelioma or some other type of cancer, please call our firm so you can speak to a real attorney for free. Our number is 1-800-752-0042.
• CSX, Norfolk Southern, and Other Rail Companies Looking at “Greener” Engines, but Appear to Neglect Health of Rail Workers.   
  Description: NS, CSX, and other rail companies need to keep their focus on employee safety when upgrading and advancing their locomotive technology.
• Here are some results from our railroad injury and FELA cases. After you've reviewed them, give our firm a call at 1-800-752-0042 for a free case analysis.   
  Description: This page features results of cases our law firm has handled.
• Work-related tasks can lead to repetitive stress and cumulative trauma injuries. If you've suffered either of these injuries, please consider giving our law firm a call for a free case analysis at 1-800-752-0042.   
  Description: If you're looking for information about repetitive stress and cumulative trauma injuries, then this is a good article to peruse. For example, 65 percent of cumulative trauma injuries affect the back.
• Charlie Cunningham, former Norfolk railroad engineer and firm legal investigator, 1930-2009   
  Description: Charlie Cunningham was a great employee and an incredible human being. He will be missed.
• Welders on railroads have contracted permanent lung diseases, cancers or permanent neurological and memory disorders due to long term inhalation of the harmful particulates in welding fumes.   
  Description: Welders on railroads have contracted permanent lung diseases, cancers or permanent neurological and memory disorders due to long term inhalation of the harmful particulates in welding fumes.
  These types of cases require careful investigation and it requires our law firm to engage some of the top experts in the fields involved in order to determine whether a particular cancer or disease was caused by the harmful toxic welding fume exposure in question.
• CHessie (became part of CSX) Railroad medical doctor in 1970's writes colleagues suggesting asbestos be removed from engines and other railroad products, and discuss mesothelioma cancer to worker   
  Description: CHessie (became part of CSX) Railroad medical doctor in 1970's writes colleagues suggesting asbestos be removed from engines and other railroad products, and discuss mesothelioma cancer to worker employed by railroad.
• Railroad/FELA Injury Lawyers Use Safety Regulations Against Railroads, Including radio/dispatching regulations-This helps prove responsibility on railoads   
  Description: In railroad injury cases representing workers, our FELA/railroad injury lawyers expend much effort investigating, along with our investigators, whether a railroad complied with pertinent federal or state safety statutes and regulations, that may apply to any circumstances of the client injury. Why? Violations mean the railroad cannot offer the worker’s contributory fault (think rule violations) nor must any “careless” or “negligent” conduct by the railroad be proven.
• RAILROAD INJURIES/CROSSING ACCIDENT INJURIES-the applicable law explained by Virginia/Carolina personal injury lawyers   
  Description: Our Virginia/Carolina based personal injury law firm has a long history of representing personal injury victims in railroad accidents, including derailments, FELA injuries, and accidents that occur at railroad crossings between trains and cars or trucks. Deaths or personal injuries occurring at public or private railroad crossings involve a lot of different overlapping federal, state and local laws and statutes, and some of the unique facets of these cases are discussed.
• Two D.C. Metro Trains Collide During Rush Hour, Deaths and Injuries Occurred   
  Description: According to CNN, two Metro trains collided during rush hour Monday killing four and injuring dozens. Mayor Adrian Fenty said “It is the deadliest crash in the history of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
• Make Sure to Save Key Evidence in the Event of an Insurance Claim for Injury Arising Out of a Passenger Train Accident on Amtrak or Commuter Railroads Like D.C.’s Metrorail   
  Description: Our law firm regularly takes on Amtrak and other passenger railroads with regard to claims where people got hurt because of negligence by the people running the trains. If you or a family member is ever hurt or worse, killed, on an Amtrak or Metro train, it is critical that you keep all important information and documents to show what happened.
• Virginia railroad injury lawyers--A short history of railroad injury law in Virginia   
  Description: Virginia has rich history in railroading and it is historically an area where there are also many railroad injury lawyers. Norfolk & Western Railway Company, now Norfolk Southern, has been based in Norfolk, Virginia for many years and our law office is a mere 20 minutes away.
• Railroad Workers (Engineer/Conductors/Switchman) Developing Variety of Cancers From Exposure to Radioactive Cargo on Railroad-Review of the Facts   
  Description: Exposure to radioactive/radiation for railroad workers contracting cancers. Memos proving radioactive/radiation exposures to railroad workers handling freight from nuclear facilities have been obtained from the Department of Energy and state officials, confirming exposures of railroad workers to uranium and plutonium while handling rail freight and industries receiving such cargo or scrap
• Railroad workers exposures to radioactive cargo causing cancers [PDF]   
  Description: Memos proving radioactive/radiation exposures to railroad workers handling freight from nuclear facilities
• Railroad workers and radiation/radioactive exposures causing cancers [PDF]   
  Description: Memos proving radioactive/radiation exposures to railroad workers handling freight from nuclear facilities
• Radiation Exposure to Railroad workers and Cancers-2 [PDF]   
  Description: Memos proving radioactive/radiation exposures to railroad workers handling freight from nuclear facilities
• Radiation Exposure and Cancers-1 [PDF]   
  Description: Memos and documents relating to radioactive substances and railroad worker exposures to same
• Railroad Injury Attorneys in VA/WV/NC-Use of Brief on Radio Dispatch Regulation Violations In FELA Case [PDF]   
  Description: In railroad injury cases representing workers, our FELA/railroad injury lawyers expend much effort investigating, along with our investigators, whether a railroad complied with pertinent federal or state safety statutes and regulations, that may apply to any circumstances of the client injury. Why? Violations mean the railroad cannot offer the worker’s contributory fault (think rule violations) nor must any “careless” or “negligent” conduct by the railroad be proven.

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Frequent Questions for Railroad Injury/FELA:

• What does Statute 51 of the FELA actually mean? 

• How is the FELA different from, or similar to, workers compensation?

• How does the FELA work?

• What is the FELA (Federal Employer's Liability Act)?

• I was a cigarette smoker for decades, and then was diagnosed with lung cancer or mesothelioma.  Does this mean I do or do not have a potential claim?
• Is there evidence that railroads were using asbestos insulation in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and so forth?
• Is there any cost for your firm to analyze my potential railroad injury case involving cancer or mesothelioma?
• How does anyone prove that the asbestos cancer or mesothelioma arose from exposure at the railroad?  
  
  
• I was just diagnosed with cancer or mesothelioma.  No one ever told me before that it was connected to railroad work I did many years earlier.  Can I still bring a railroad injury or disease claim?
• I have already retired from the railroad many years ago, do I still have a potential claim for an asbestos cancer or mesothelioma?

Case Results for Railroad Injury/FELA:

• Shoulder Injury requiring surgery for Locomotive Engineer

Awarded: The Jacksonville, Florida State Court jury returned a $978,000.00 verdict in favor of TA against the railroad.

• Locomotive Engineer with Shoulder and Knee Injuries

Awarded: Several days before court-ordered mediation, the parties arrived at a settlement of $950,000.00.

• Railroad Conductor gets back injury due to fall in ballast depression

Awarded: The case was settled for $900,000

• Railroad conductor/back injury-surgery/Safety Appliance act Violations
• Railroad Engine Battery Explosion/Fumes - Breathing/Chemical Injuries

Awarded: Confidential

• Locomotive Engine Fire causes Rail Engineer right arm and wrist surgery

Awarded: The case was settled at mediation for $700,000.00

• Rail Conductor receives back injuries as a result of Train-Truck Crossing Collision

Awarded: A $650,000.00 jury verdict. (Note: the jury verdict was twenty times larger than what the insurer offered just before trial).

• Rail yard injury - rotator cuff surgeries on conductor

Awarded: $600,000

• Knee Injuries and Low Back Injuries to Railroad Engineer

Awarded: On the morning of trial, the passenger railroad settled with MM for $350,000.00. The case proceeded to jury verdict against the trucking defendant and a $564,000.00 verdict was returned. (Under Virginia law, a credit in favor of the trucking company was then applied, so that MM's gross recovery as to all parties was $564,000.00).

• Heavy lifting injury - ticket agent-clerk

Awarded: $450,000 settlement (Settlement monies will be used by WG and his family to allow him to retrain for a lighter type of job outside the railroad industry)

• Back and Neck Injuries to Rail Conductor due to Derailment, faulty switch

Awarded: The case was settled during suit for $370,000.00

• Rail Conductor gets Career Ending Injury due to Bad "Drawhead"

Awarded: Settled for $367,000.00 before trial.

• Back Injury to rail conductor operating a "derailler"

Awarded: The case settled for $333,000.00.

• Railroad-Roadway Crossing Accident - Car Passengers Injured

Awarded: The firm settled the claims against State Farm/driver for $50,000.00 and $29,000.00 and settled the claims against Norfolk Southern for $32,000.00 and $22,000.00. Each settlement was approved under the infant settlement provisions of Virginia law.

• Railroad Conductor/Diesel Fume Asthma/Lung Disease
• West Virginia Supreme Court Reinstates Railroad Engineer’s Mesothelioma Wrongful Death Suit, Ruling Railroad’s Release Of Claims Was Void
• Railroad Employee Recovers Confidential Sum for Injuries Suffered in a Lifting Injury
• Multiple Asbestos-Mesothelioma Cancer Settlements-Railroad companies
• Amtrak Worker Slips on Ice in Richmond, Virginia (VA). Two Knee Surgeries.

Awarded: Case settled after extensive negotiation with Amtrak about what the claim was worth for approximately $150,000.00.

• Settlement for Injured Rail Worker Reached with CSX and Amtrak

Awarded: Amtrak Engineer Settles His Injury Claims With Trucking company, Amtrak and CSX Arising From Amtrak Derailment

Videos about Railroad Injury/FELA:

• Railroad Accidents Involving Taxis, Vans or Hotels
• Railroad Accidents Occurring on Industrial Sidings or Off Railroad Property
• Railroad Mesothelioma Asbestos Cancer: Crazy Railroad Defenses and Delay Tactics
• Railroad Claim Agents Must Provide You Your Accident Report
• Railroad Accident Reports Are Not Mandatory
• Railroad Welding Fumes: Railroad Injury Attorneys Discuss Link to Breathing and Neurological Diseases-
• Serious Railroad Worker Injuries and FELA
• Railroad Accident Attorneys In Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina
• Virginia Based Law Firm Represents Injured Railroad Workers
• Railroad Injury Attorneys Explain Radioactive Exposures & Cancers Connected to Railroad Cargo Transport
• Railroad Injury Attorneys Discuss Asbestos/Mesothelioma Cancers From Railroad Work- Railroad Injury/FELA
• Railroad Diesel Fumes: Railroad Injury Attorneys Explain Link to Lung Cancers, Diesel Asthma, COPD
• What Railroad Claim Agents Won't Tell An Injured Railroad Worker
• John Cooper, Virginia Beach Injury Lawyer, Specializes in Railroad Litigation- Foster Vid - Railroad Injury/FELA
• Attorney In Virginia Tells How to Win Against a Railroad Claim Agent - Railroad Injury/FELA
• FELA cumulative trauma
• FELA Statute of Limitations
• What Every Railroad Claim Agent Knows, But Will Never Tell You
• F.E.L.A. Claims
• Information About Asbestos and Mesothelioma

Web Resources for Railroad Injury/FELA:

• Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers Blog

  Description: This blog is dedicated exclusively to railroad injuries/diseases, train accidents, and FELA claims. 

• Yardlimits Railroad Worker Community Forum

  Description: This web site is a forum which allows railroad workers to communicate with one another and express their concerns/interests regarding the rail industry.
  
  

• Gordon & Elias Law Firm

  Description: Excellent railroad/FELA law firm based in Texas handling railroad injury law for railroad workers.

• National Conference of Fireman and Oilers

  Description: The official site to the National Conference of Fireman and Oil Workers.

• American Train Dispatchers Department

  Description: The American Train Dispatchers Association participates in most of the programs offered through the Union Privilege Benefits Department, AFL-CIO.

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

  Description: Official Site of the International Brotherhood of Electricl Workers.

• Transport Workers Union

  Description: The official site to the Transportation Workers Union.

• United Transportation Union

  Description: UTU news online.

• Transportation Communications Union

  Description: TCU news online.

• Federal Railroad Administration

  Description: A division of the U.S. Department of Transportation the FRA promotes rail transportation and safety.

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