By Michael Bartlett on December 13th, 2025 in FELA
If you are a railroad worker who has been injured or diagnosed with cancer in the past three years, you may be eligible for a FELA claim. It is crucial to act quickly and protect your and your family's legal rights by consulting an experienced attorney.
Railroad workers who suffer work-related injuries are protected by the Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA). Unlike standard workers' compensation laws, the Act grants protection through a fault-based system. You may be eligible for a FELA claim if you can prove that your employer's negligence played a part in your suffering from any of the following conditions:
Cancers related to asbestos
Cancers associated with PFAS chemicals
Catastrophic Injury
If you lost your loved one through a railroad work related injury or an exposure-related cancer, you may also be eligible to file a claim. Contact us for a free case evaluation, and our attorneys will check if your loved one's case is eligible.
The actions you take immediately after an injury or diagnosis are crucial for the documentation you need in filing a claim. Prioritize seeking medical attention in case of an injury, but you must also inform your supervisor of the incident. Once you are able, you will be asked to file a personal injury report. In filling out the report, you should not put in unnecessary details nor talk to any claims agent or insurer. It's best to have guidance from a union representative or an attorney before submitting any statement. A competent legal representative can help you through evidence gathering and documentation.
Under the FELA, you may file a claim for the following damages:
In the unfortunate event that a railroad worker passed away from their injury or exposure-related cancer, their surviving family members can file a FELA claim on their behalf. The claim can be filed by the surviving spouse and children (priority), or their parents (next priority), or their next of kin. As it is more difficult to trace the documentation for your loved one, especially if you're unaware of what has already been reported, it's best to get a FELA attorney to help you handle the claim.
In addition to the damages that railroad workers can recover through FELA, surviving family members may also file for the following damages:
Filing claims through a federal system is a heavy burden, especially for those who are getting treated for injuries, getting cancer treatment, or grieving their loved one. Whether it's from an injury or an exposure-related cancer, ELG Law has competent attorneys who are ready to evaluate your claim and, if eligible, file a claim on your behalf. Given the short time limit for filing a FELA claim, we urge you to contact us immediately if you believe you have a case.