Railroad Accidents /FELA

Like maritime workers, railroad workers are exempt from coverage under federally mandated Workers' Compensation programs. Instead, compensation guidelines are established by the Federal Employer’s Liability Act, commonly referred to as FELA.

Similar in intent to standard workers' compensation, FELA's rules differ somewhat. For example, rather than the employer assuming all responsibility for the worker's injury, regardless of fault, FELA requires some fault on the part of the employer be proven before the injured party can receive compensation from the railroad. Once this liability is established, however, the injured party can collect full compensation, including non-monetary losses.