Work related injuries to railroad workers are governed by a law originally passed by congress in 1908 called the federal employers' liability act (fela). Under fela you're not entitled to recover monetary damages from the railroad because you were injured on duty. In order to make a monetary recovery from the railroad you must be able to prove from the evidence that the injury was caused, in whole or in part, by the railroad's fault or negligence, in failing to furnish a reasonably safe place or the proper equipment for work. The courts have held that the employer's negligence doesn't have to be the sole cause of the accident. As long as the carrier was at fault in the slightest degree, it's enough to establish the right to bring a claim. Unless the claim is settled, the lawsuit must be filed within three years of the date of the accident. For more information, talk with an attorney who specializes in personal injury cases.
