Railroad Injury/FELA Archives - Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp
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Does the FELA cover diseases due to working for the railroad as well as injuries?

FAQ: Does the FELA cover diseases due to working for the railroad as well as injuries? Answer: Yes, occupational diseases (cancers related to toxic exposures, asbestosis, mesothelioma, etc.) are recognized as injuries under the FELA and damages associated with those diseases are compensable under the FELA. Occupational diseases often appear long after exposure, so whether…

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What Types of Monetary Damages Are Recoverable Via a FELA Injury, Wrongful Death or Occupational Injury Claim?

In a FELA, or Federal Employers’ Liability Act, case, Virginia railroad injury victims should attempt to recover the following:

Past and future medical expenses, including hospitalization expenses.
Past and future lost wages.
Past and future pain and mental suffering compensation.
Past and future disability and loss of earning capacity.
Permanent injury, deformity or disfigurement compensation.

Keep in mind that recovery under FELA is granted instead of recovery under state workers’ compensation laws, and recovery is not permitted for both FELA and workers’ compensation. FELA allows financial recovery for pain and suffering, with the amount being decided by a jury based on comparative negligence, rather than according to a predetermined benefits schedule, such as that used in ordinary workers’ compensation cases.
Learn more: As Virginia and Carolina attorneys specializing in FELA and railroad injury law, we offer hundreds of pages of information to help you learn your rights and recover compensation if you’ve been hurt on the job, riding trains or crossing rail tracks. You may find our list “What Not to Do After a Railroad Accident” especially helpful.

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What Types of Railroad Workers Can an Experienced Virginia-Based FELA Attorney Help?

 All types of railroad workers are covered by the provisions of FELA, the Federal Employers’ Liability Act, including

Brakemen
Clerks
Conductors
Electricians
Engineers
Firemen
Machine operators
Maintenance of way workers
Maintenance workers
Mechanics
Signalmen
Switchmen
Welders
Yardmasters
Other railroad workers

If you or a loved one fall under one of these categories and has suffered a serious injury while on the job, don’t hesitate to contact a Virginia (VA) FELA lawyer for a free, no-hassle consultation.
Learn more: As Virginia and Carolina attorneys specializing in FELA and railroad injury law, we offer hundreds of pages of information to help you learn your rights and recover compensation if you’ve been hurt on the job, riding trains or crossing rail tracks. You may find our list “What Not to Do After a Railroad Accident” especially helpful.

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