Recent FELA cases and outcomes

These outcomes provide insight into how FELA protects workers and what types of compensation injured railroad employees can expect when they pursue claims against their employers.

Record-breaking verdicts for catastrophic injuries

A 2024 jury awarded $15 million to an Indiana railroad conductor who suffered a lumbar spine injury. This verdict surpassed the state's prior highest FELA award by over $13 million, demonstrating that juries recognize the severe impact spinal injuries have on railroad workers' lives and earning capacity.

A Tennessee jury in Hand v. Norfolk Southern awarded $3.25 million in what became the first U.S. FELA verdict for brain cancer linked to chemical exposure. The decision was upheld on appeal, creating precedent that railroads can face liability for occupational cancers when workers prove exposure to toxic materials at work. This matters for railroad workers who developed cancer from exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, creosote, or PFAS throughout their careers.

A switching accident in Kentucky resulted in a $9.33 million verdict for a switchman who suffered leg amputation due to negligence during yard operations. The award demonstrates how devastating these amputations are and reflects the substantial future medical costs, lost earning ability, and pain and suffering they cause.

Verdicts involving safety violations

A 2021 federal court case in Oklahoma, Dent/Smithwick v. BNSF Railway, awarded a total of $1.215 million, with the conductor receiving $640,000 and the engineer getting $575,000 following a train separation caused by violating the Safety Appliance Act. This case demonstrates that violations of federal railroad safety laws make FELA claims stronger by providing clear evidence of negligence.

Recent verdicts also include $742,000 for a railroad worker, though the jury found shared fault and cut the award to $371,000, $330,657 for a Metra conductor hurt stepping into a platform gap that got reduced to around $247,992 after factoring in comparative fault, and $275,000 for a CSX conductor injured in a yard collision.

These cases demonstrate that workers can still receive substantial awards under FELA's comparative negligence framework even when juries decide they share some of the blame.

Settlements for severe injuries and occupational diseases

When cases involve life-changing trauma or diseases with clear negligence, FELA settlements for severe injuries often go beyond $1 million. A railroad yard accident in 2025 led to a $2.85 million settlement for a worker who suffered serious injuries. The case settled without revealing which railroad was involved, which happens often in FELA settlements.

Other significant settlements include $5.3 million for a conductor injured while dismounting a locomotive, $1.9 million for a railroad mechanic with a traumatic brain injury, $3 million for an engineer's back injury, and $635,000 for a rail yard worker injured on oversized ballast.

Settlements for occupational exposure show that workers who get cancer or respiratory disease from toxic materials can receive substantial compensation. Recent cases brought $650,000 for asbestos-related cancer, $360,000 for back injuries from cumulative trauma, and $150,000 for COPD tied to diesel exhaust exposure.

Even cases involving workers who did not miss significant time from work have resulted in verdicts. A yard worker with a wrist injury and no lost time received a $190,000 jury verdict, showing that FELA compensates for injuries based on actual harm rather than predetermined schedules.

A $270,000 settlement for an Amtrak attendant injured while handling luggage demonstrates FELA isn't just for catastrophic injuries. The outcome shows that even injuries that appear minor at first can lead to real compensation if they cause lasting pain or limitation, and employer negligence contributed.

Legal trends affecting FELA claims

In Estate of Morgan v. Union Pacific Railroad Company, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled in 2025 that FELA doesn't cover emotional injuries when there's no physical impact or imminent harm involved. The plaintiff said workplace harassment preceded suicide, but the court affirmed the railroad's summary judgment victory because there was no physical incident to support FELA recovery for purely emotional injuries.

The ruling reflects how U.S. Supreme Court precedent still restricts FELA claims for emotional injuries when there's no physical impact involved. Workers on railroads must establish physical injury or illness caused by their employer's negligence to bring FELA claims.

In 2026, the Kansas Court of Appeals reversed a lower court decision, letting BNSF reduce a $1.5 million FELA judgment by VA disability benefits to avoid double recovery. This is important for military veterans working on railroads who get VA benefits, since railroads can try to lower FELA awards by whatever veterans' disability compensation has already been paid.

Most FELA cases settle before trial

While these verdicts demonstrate what juries award when cases go to trial, older GAO and academic analyses indicate that most FELA cases are settled rather than tried. Only a small percentage of claims result in jury verdicts. Industry reports and law firm case lists show that confidential settlements happen regularly, meaning public verdicts are just a small piece of the total FELA picture.

Lawyers typically secure significant results through negotiation before trial, which benefits workers by providing faster resolution and avoiding the uncertainty of jury verdicts. That said, being willing to actually try cases when railroads won't offer fair settlements is still crucial for getting the best compensation possible.

Strong cases result in substantial compensation

These recent outcomes show that FELA delivers real compensation to railroad workers hurt because of employer negligence. Whether the case settles or goes to trial, workers with solid proof of negligence and serious injuries can recover amounts that actually reflect the full cost of what they've suffered.

ELG Law has represented railroad workers for over 35 years and knows how to build cases that result in substantial verdicts and settlements. Contact us for a free consultation about your FELA claim.