Did a day on the railroad lead to a night in the hospital?

You may be one of many Louisiana railroad workers who have loved trains your entire life. Going to work every day felt at first like going to a grandiose station where you could indulge in your heart’s passion, that is, until the mundane duties of everyday job life settled in; then, it became just another day at work. Still, you were glad you because you were earning a decent living doing something you enjoyed.

Train work is arguably one of the most dangerous types of employment in the nation. You must be especially proactive if you hope to avoid injury. The more you learn about safety, the better. Your employer is obligated to provide proper training and safety equipment to help keep you safe on the job. If your employer is negligent, you will want to make sure you fully understand the FELA process. It also helps to memorize common safety tips and make them good habits.

Stay safe 

You may think traveling by train is adventurous and fun. Many Louisiana railroad workers would agree with you. However, whether you’re a passenger, engineer, conductor or lineman, you may be able to lower your risk for railroad injury if you implement the tips in the following list:

• Remember that even an emergency brake may not stop a train traveling 55 miles per hour until it has traveled the length of a football field.
• When you are on or near railroad tracks, always assume a train will come.
• Watch out for and obey all traffic signals.
• It is a bad idea to try to beat a train across a set of tracks.

All employees, employers and passengers must adhere to railroad safety regulations. Not doing so may cause a serious accident. Railroad injuries can leave you temporarily or permanently disabled. Depending on the details of your situation, you may be in for a long, arduous recovery. In fact, if your injuries are serious, you may not be able to return to work at all.

Support is available

You hopefully have a strong support network at home or have friends that would come to your aid, should you need daily living assistance due to railroad injuries. There are also resources to help you navigate the FELA process when it comes time to report your accident and seek benefits to help you make ends meet, replace lost wages and otherwise seek full recovery for your losses.