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Workers Compensation Vs Federal Employers? Liability
When railroad workers are injured at work, they are faced with unique legal challenges. Railroad employees, unlike most workers' compensation laws have the right to sue employers under federal law. This is known as the Federal Employers' Liability Act.
To prevail in a FELA case, railroad workers need to prove two things. First the injury must be the result of their employer's negligence.
FELA against. Workers' Compensation
Workers comp and FELA are both designed to provide compensation to employees who suffer work-related illnesses or injuries. However they differ in a couple of ways. fela case settlements is only applicable to railroad workers while workers' compensation is applicable to a variety of jobs in both the private and public sectors. FELA and workers' compensation differ in regards to who decides fault and the way in which damages are awarded and where cases are tried.
The risk of being injured is very high for those working on railroads and that's why FELA was passed in 1908. Congress passed this law to safeguard workers as well as their families and themselves in the event of an injury while working. In order to be compensated under FELA, the worker must prove that their employer violated the federal law or regulation relating to safety at work. Examples include a violation of the Safety Appliance Act, Boiler Inspection Act, and Power Brake Law.
FELA also offers compensation for suffering and pain that are not covered by workers' comp. Contrary to claims under workers' compensation that are typically restricted based on the injury sustained, FELA can claim compensation for non-economic damages that include emotional stress or loss of enjoyment living.
Another distinction between FELA and workers compensation is that in order to get compensation under FELA the worker must prove that the employer was at a minimum partially accountable for their injury. If a worker is determined to be responsible for their injuries the amount of injuries could be reduced. For example in the event that a worker was instructed to perform a task that was against company policy and they suffered injuries due to the incident, the company could be held 50% responsible for their injuries.
Workers' compensation cases require an earlier time frame to submit claims. In the case of a FELA claim, the statute of limitation is three years from when your injury occurred, while in a workers' comp case, it is one year. Therefore, it is important to contact an FELA lawyer who has experience as soon as you can after the injury.
FELA vs. State Law

If a railroad employee gets injured at work and is injured, they can file a claim either under the Federal Employers Liability Act or workers compensation. Contrary to workers' compensation laws that provide benefits regardless of who is at fault for the injury, FELA is a liability statute. A successful FELA claim requires proof that the railroad was negligent and that this negligence caused injuries to the worker.
The FELA was enacted in 1908 and is intended to provide compensation to railroad workers injured for injuries resulting from the nature of their work. Prior to the passage of this law, death and injury rates among railroad workers were quite high. This resulted in the need for a comprehensive insurance that goes beyond workers' compensation laws.
In general the majority of cases, a FELA claim must be filed in a federal court due to the fact that the FELA is a federal law. However, FELA claims are sometimes filed in state courts. For instance, a recent case in Tennessee, Mills v. CSX, involved a railroad employee who claimed that his employer was responsible under the FELA.
FELA claims are similar to claims for workers compensation in that they compensate for lost wages, medical costs as well as pain and suffering damages. These damages are based on the fact that the railroad was responsible for the injury or death because of its negligence or a violation of an applicable safety law, such as the Locomotive Inspection Act and the Federal Safety Appliance Act. Additionally the FELA plaintiff must prove that the death or injury was a result of the whole or in part by the negligence.
FELA cases improved tort law by establishing of precedents for issues like emotional distress in the railroad and damages allocation as well as working conditions standards. FELA claims particularly have sparked national attention to the issue of the obligation of a non-delegable employer to provide a safe working environment for its employees. This includes off-site locations such as private hotels, where railroad workers may stay while on business. An experienced attorney for railroads can help an injured railroad worker receive the full benefits that he or she is entitled under FELA.
FELA vs. State Workers' Compensation Laws
If a worker suffers an injury while on the job or at work, they may seek workers compensation or sue their employer under FELA. Both laws offer similar benefits, including medical coverage and monetary payouts. However, they are different in a number of important ways.
Contrary to workers' compensation which permits employees to file without proving that the employer was responsible for their injuries, FELA requires that the injured railroad worker demonstrate that their employer has violated a safety law of the federal government that caused their injury. This includes laws like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Locomotive Inspection Act and Railroad Safety Appliance Act. This makes it harder to win a FELA claim than workers' compensation claims, since proof of negligence is required.
FELA allows railroad workers injured by a crash to have their cases considered by a panel of their peers, rather than the administrative authority responsible for deciding workers' compensation claims. In addition, FELA does not put any limit on the amount of damages that can be awarded to an injured worker, while workers compensation claims limit damage awards according to a pre-determined timetable.
The distinction between the two statutes is crucial to be aware of, especially for railroad employees who are not covered by state laws on workers' compensation and are required to pursue their claims through FELA. If you or someone you love was injured while working as a railroad employee, it is crucial to speak with a professional FELA attorneys.
To know more about the differences between FELA and state workers' compensation laws, speak with an attorney at Grossman Law Offices today. We're here to help you receive the best benefits from FELA. To find a reputable Designated Legal Counsel (DLC) firm, click here to be taken to the National Division BLET website. The Grossman Law Offices law firm Law Offices represent railway workers and their families in FELA lawsuits. We offer free consultations and are available via phone or in person to discuss your case. Our attorneys also operate on a contingency basis which means that you don't pay unless we win your case.
FELA vs. State Workers' Compensation Statutes
The Federal Employers' Liability Act allows railroad employees to sue their employers for injuries. Unlike workers' compensation, which provides the same amount of benefits regardless of who is at fault for the accident, FELA cases are decided by juries on the basis of comparative negligence. Moreover, FELA allows for much larger damage awards.
In addition to financial compensation, FELA provides for medical expenses as well as lost earnings (including future earning capacity) and death benefits as well as suffering and pain. Contrary to this, workers' compensation offers only temporary medical benefits as well as a predetermined amount of money for long-term disability, which often does not cover a worker's true losses.
The FELA law applies to railroads that are involved in international or global trade. It permits injured employees, as well as their families to sue their employer for damages directly resulting from the negligence of the company. This LibGuide offers a base for research on this topic. It provides links to various online resources available on the Villanova Law Library's website. Access to some of these resources may require a password.
This LibGuide is designed to be an educational supplement for Villanova law students. Nothing in this guide should be taken as legal advice. Please consult an attorney if you require assistance.
Many workers are unaware that FELA offers railroad workers specialized protections. While many believe that FELA and state laws on workers' compensation are the same but they are vastly different. Railroad workers injured in an accident must be aware of the differences between the two types of claims so that they receive the best representation. A qualified lawyer can assist the family of a railway worker who has died or injured in understanding the various kinds of damages available to them. The person who has been injured can receive the maximum amount of compensation that is allowed by FELA. If you're a railroad worker injured while on the job, consult an organization of Designated Legal Counsel.