The attorneys of the Scanlan Law Group have more than 25 years of experience in railroad accident cases, and we know how dangerous trains can be. Approximately every 2 hours, a train in the United States strikes a motor vehicle or a pedestrian. According to the Federal Railroad Administration's Office of Safety Analysis, in 2002 there were 14,355 railroad related accidents, resulting in 951 deaths and more than 11,000 injuries, including 311 deaths and 859 injuries at highway-rail crossings, and 463 deaths and 414 injuries from accidents resulting from trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property.

There are many causes of train related injuries and fatalities: train crashes and derailments; defective equipment; human error; track and signal defects; accidents resulting from individuals walking on or near train tracks or trespassing in train yards; injuries to railroad employees in the course of their employment; and vehicle-train accidents at railroad crossings.

The injuries that can result from train related accidents are depressingly familiar: brain and spinal cord injuries; sprains; fractures; abrasions; internal and soft tissue injuries; burn injuries; and just about every other injury associated with the operation of other motorized vehicles.

Railroad employees who sustain work related injuries may have special legal rights under federal law allowing them to recover significant damages for their injuries. Under most states' workers compensation laws, employees injured in the course of their employment have limited remedies available to them, and they may not bring civil lawsuits against their employees. However, under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), an injured railroad employee may file a lawsuit to recover damages (including punitive damages) from his or her employer when the employer or a co-worker's negligence caused the injury. However, the FELA is a very complex statute, and injured railroad workers need to consult with an experienced FELA attorney in order to safeguard their legal rights.

Because railroad cases can be very complex, you need experienced and aggressive attorneys to successfully handle them. The Scanlan Law Group has the necessary experience. We have sued railroad companies and other entities responsible for railroad accidents, and we are not afraid to take them to trial if one of our clients has been injured. Accordingly, if you or someone you know have sustained a railroad related injury, contact the Scanlan Law Group for a free initial consultation.