While many people may not have heard of the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), this is a vitally important law. The FELA was enacted in 1908 and designed to protect and compensate railroad workers who were injured on the job, but it is not without controversy. If you or a loved one have sustained an injury while working in the railroad industry, contact Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP today. Our Chicago FELA workers' compensation attorneys will work to secure the compensation you deserve.
Why Choose Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP?When a railroad worker is dealing with an on the job injury, they need help from an attorney with extensive experience handling these cases. Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP is standing by.
An attorney is going to be necessary for these cases. As will be described below, FELA is a fault-based system in which the injured worker will need to show that somebody else caused their injury. This will require a FELA attorney to investigate all aspects of the claim and uncover all evidence related to the incident. This can include photo or video surveillance, railroad maintenance records, eyewitness statements, and more.
What Is FELA?According to data from the National Safety Council, we can see that thousands of railroad workers are injured each year on the job. In many cases, these injuries are serious and can result in railroad workers not being able to work or even permanent disability.
The Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) Is meant to provide railroad workers with similar benefits that workers' compensation insurance provides for those in other industries. However, unlike workers' compensation insurance, FELA is a fault-based coverage system. This means that the injured railroad worker must prove that the injury was caused in part or in whole by another person (another worker, a contractor, an agent of the railroad, a faulty piece of equipment, etc.).
Under FELA, if a railroad worker is found not to be 100% at fault, they will have the right to sue for damages in federal or state court, which is not an option for workers' compensation claimants.
What Kind Of Compensation Can you Receive For A Fela Claim?If you or a loved one have been injured while working in the railroad industry, you may be entitled to coverage through the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA). At Seidman, Margulis & Fairman, LLP, we are ready to investigate every aspect of your claim in order to secure the coverage you deserve. This can include:
The total amount of compensation awarded in these claims will vary depending on the facts related to each particular case. When you need a Chicago FELA workers' compensation attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling (312) 781-1977.