Missouri FELA Lawsuits

When you need a FELA attorney in Missouri

Between 1998 and 2007, almost 1,000 railway employees were injured or killed by railroad accidents in Missouri.  Injuries that can occur include the following:

• Brain trauma
• Spinal cord damage
• Sprains
• Fractures
• Abrasions
• Burns
• Internal or soft tissue damage

Missouri FELA injunctions can be issued to compensate victims for medical expenses, lost wages, funeral costs, as well as other financial necessities.  In Carman vs. Union Pacific Railroad (DeSoto, Missouri), the plaintiff was awarded $1,000,000 due to a knee injury that left him unable to work for nine months.

What is FELA?

In 1908, Congress passed the Federal Employers Liability Act as a way of responding to the increasing number of railroad worker deaths.  Railroad workers are not eligible for ordinary workers compensation, but they are entitled to compensation under FELA for damages to their health or person.

FELA allows for railroad workers and their families to file suit if they have reason to believe the railroad company did not properly ensure the safety of a worker.  Unfortunately, winning such suits is much easier said than done.  Sufficient evidence must be provided that clearly shows the railroad company was negligent in its responsibility to maintain a safe work environment.  That is why it is so important to have a skilled attorney who is familiar with Missouri FELA awards—only with the right legal guidance can proof of negligence be established and well-deserved compensation received. 

Missouri FELA litigation

Although FELA allows railroad workers to collect at a much higher monetary level than ordinary workers compensation, the burden of proof on the employee is also much higher.  While workers compensation allows for the victim to receive money regardless of fault, FELA in Missouri requires that the victim prove the employer guilty of negligence.  Few workers are prepared or experienced enough to succeed in this quest on their own.  Seidman Law Offices consult with our FELA attorneys in Missouri and have a combined total of more than 30 years experience in pursuing claims for railroad accident victims and their families.  We offer aggressive representation in court and compassionate advice to the clients and families we serve. 

Missouri FELA jury award

Here are just a few examples of successful cases and settlements received by injured railroad workers in Missouri:

• $105,000 for hearing loss (engineer v. Missouri Pacific Railroad)
• $850,000 for back injury (Carman v. Union Pacific Railroad)
• $1,114,836 for a herniated disc (plaintiff sued Union Pacific Railroad Company)