FELA Injury Types [2025 FELA Guide]

FELA was specifically designed to compensate injured railroad employees for harm caused by the negligence of a common carrier operating in interstate commerce.

Given the inherent dangers of rail work, physical injuries are not uncommon and can range from minor to catastrophic.

Unlike standard workers’ compensation systems, FELA cases require proof that the employer’s negligence played a role—however small—in causing the injury.

This burden of proof highlights the importance of documenting and classifying the types of railroad worker injuries that may be eligible for compensation.

Below are examples of physical injuries frequently covered under FELA:

• Fractures and broken bones: Often caused by falls, collisions, or being struck by heavy tools or equipment
• Lacerations and contusions: Resulting from sharp surfaces, metal edges, or workplace accidents
• Amputations: From entanglement in moving equipment or coupling systems
• Spinal cord injuries: Caused by falls, crashes, or heavy lifting accidents
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Due to falling objects, head impacts, or equipment failures
• Burn injuries: From electrical malfunctions, fuel, or overheated machinery
• Back and neck injuries: Often from repetitive strain, poor ergonomics, or sudden trauma
• Joint and ligament damage: From improper lifting techniques or repetitive motion
• Crush injuries: Frequently caused by being caught between railcars or during switching operations
• Hearing loss: Resulting from prolonged exposure to loud machinery and engines without protection

These injuries can be devastating and often require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, or permanent job modification.

Injured railroad employees facing these challenges should consult an experienced FELA attorney to determine their eligibility for compensation and to begin building a claim based on the unique risks of their work environment.

What To Do After an On-The-Job Injury as a Railroad Worker

If you’ve been injured on the job while working for a railroad, taking the right steps immediately can significantly affect the outcome of your FELA claim.

A FELA claimant must focus on proving negligence to receive compensation.

It’s important to avoid mistakes, especially when dealing with a railroad claim agent, who does not represent your interests.

Since FELA is the exclusive remedy for injured workers, you have the right to seek full compensation through legal action.

Here are the steps you should take:

1. Seek immediate medical attention to protect your health and establish documentation.
2. Report the injury to your supervisor, but avoid giving recorded or signed statements to a railroad claim agent.
3. Document everything, including names of witnesses, the equipment involved, and conditions at the time of the accident.
4. Contact an experienced FELA attorney before proceeding with any official claims process or settlement discussions.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), railroad workers have the right to pursue compensation not only for traumatic injuries but also for illnesses that develop over time due to hazardous workplace conditions.

The statute explicitly applies when a railroad employee suffers “such injury” while employed by “such carrier” engaged in “such commerce,” allowing claims for occupational diseases when the railroad employer’s negligence contributed to the development of the illness.

While FELA does not automatically guarantee compensation, it opens the door for injured workers to seek damages if they can prove that prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions on the job played a role.

Importantly, FELA covers a wide spectrum of toxic exposures that occur during rail work—particularly in shops, engine cabs, switching yards, and other confined spaces where chemicals and fumes accumulate.

Over decades, many railroad employees have been exposed to dangerous chemicals without adequate protection or warnings.

Diesel exhaust, asbestos exposure, benzene exposure, solvents, creosote-treated materials, weedkiller exposure, and even secondhand smoke have been linked to various cancers and chronic illnesses.

These conditions are often diagnosed years after the initial exposure, making documentation and medical linkage critical to a successful FELA claim.

Below are examples of serious illnesses and cancers that may be linked to occupational exposures on the railroad:

• Lung cancer: Often caused by long-term diesel exhaust exposure, asbestos fibers, and secondhand smoke inhalation in enclosed cabs or shops
• Mesothelioma: Almost exclusively linked to asbestos exposure, especially from insulation, pipe wrapping, or brake linings
• Bladder cancer: Frequently associated with benzene exposure, diesel fumes, and contact with certain industrial solvents
• Leukemia (including AML): Strongly tied to benzene-containing solvents, degreasers, and fuel additives
• Kidney cancer: Linked to creosote exposure, certain herbicides, and hydrocarbon-rich environments near rail yards
• Liver cancer: Associated with prolonged solvent exposure and chronic absorption of petroleum-based chemicals
• Throat and esophageal cancer: Linked to inhalation of toxic fumes and secondhand smoke
• Stomach cancer: Tied to ingestion or inhalation of contaminants from herbicide and creosote exposure in poorly ventilated areas
• Testicular cancer: Seen in cases involving long-term herbicide exposure and persistent contact with engine lubricants and fuel
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A serious respiratory condition caused by years of diesel exhaust, silica dust, and other fine particulates
• Toxic encephalopathy: A neurological disorder resulting from prolonged solvent exposure, especially in car and locomotive shops

FELA provides a powerful tool for holding railroads accountable when such injury results from negligence attributable to unsafe environments.

Because many of these illnesses develop slowly, workers must rely on skilled legal counsel to tie their disease back to specific exposures during employment.

An experienced FELA attorney can help gather medical evidence, expert opinions, and employment records to build a case rooted in the language and intent of the federal law.

With the proper support, affected workers and their families may be entitled to compensation for medical costs, pain and suffering, and loss of income.

How Do You Prove That Railroad Work Caused a Serious Illness or Cancer?

Proving that railroad work caused a serious illness or cancer requires a detailed investigation into workplace conditions, job duties, and medical evidence.

The core of a FELA claim is showing that the railroad failed to provide a reasonably safe work environment, and that this failure led to the development of the disease.

This can include violations of a safety statute, such as failure to follow federal exposure limits or use proper protective equipment.

Medical experts are often brought in to link the worker’s diagnosis to long-term exposure to diesel exhaust, asbestos, benzene, or other toxic substances commonly encountered in railroad jobs.

Documentation such as job history, safety records, coworker testimony, and scientific literature can help strengthen the connection between the disease and workplace exposure.

Because FELA allows the case to be filed in either state court or federal court, an experienced attorney can choose the most favorable venue based on the facts and available evidence.

The process is complex, but with the right legal support, it’s possible to demonstrate that years of hazardous railroad work were a direct cause of the illness.

Under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA), you can file a claim against any railroad company that operates in interstate commerce and whose negligence contributed to your injury or illness.

This includes both major national freight carriers and regional railroads with a duty to provide a safe working environment.

If a railroad failed to meet its safety obligations, and you were injured or developed an occupational illness as a result, you may be eligible to file a FELA claim.

The following railroads may be subject to FELA claims:

• Union Pacific Railroad
• BNSF Railway
• CSX Transportation
• Norfolk Southern Railway
• Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation)
• Canadian National Railway (U.S. operations)
• Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)
• Kansas City Southern Railway (now part of CPKC)
• Metro-North Railroad
• Long Island Rail Road (LIRR)
• NJ Transit Rail Operations
• Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA)
• Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
• Alaska Railroad
• Metra (Northeastern Illinois)
• Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA)
• Florida East Coast Railway
• Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad
• Montana Rail Link
• Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway
• Iowa Interstate Railroad
• Genesee & Wyoming Inc. railroads
• Vermont Rail System
• Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad
• Kansas City Terminal Railway

Even short line and regional carriers may be liable under FELA if they operate across state lines or support interstate freight or passenger transport.

Certain railroad employees face significantly higher risks of injury and illness due to the nature of their job duties and prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions.

These roles often involve close contact with diesel engines, heavy machinery, asbestos-containing materials, welding fumes, and other toxic substances, increasing the likelihood of both acute injuries and long-term illnesses such as cancer or respiratory disease.

Workers in maintenance, repair, and operations roles are especially vulnerable, as are those in older facilities where safety upgrades may have lagged.

Here is a list of railroad positions commonly considered at high risk:

• Locomotive Engineers: Regularly exposed to diesel exhaust and vibrations from long hours operating engines
• Conductors and Brakemen: Frequently work near running locomotives and coupling systems, risking crush injuries and inhalation hazards
• Carmen and Mechanics: Routinely handle solvents, degreasers, asbestos brake linings, and welding equipment
• Machinists: Perform metal work and cleaning with chemical solvents, often in poorly ventilated shops
• Pipefitters: Encounter asbestos pipe insulation and steam systems that release hazardous fibers
• Electricians: Handle equipment coated in lead paint or containing PCBs and other chemical hazards
• Signal Maintainers: Work around live tracks and electrical systems, with exposure to outdoor herbicides and physical hazards
• Trackmen and Maintenance-of-Way Workers: Face risk from heavy lifting, silica dust, creosote-treated ties, and moving trains
• Locomotive Shop Workers: Spend time in enclosed spaces with diesel fumes, welding smoke, and chemical cleaners
• Sheet Metal Workers: Use solvents and adhesives in confined areas, increasing toxic exposure risk
• Welders: Inhalation of toxic metal fumes including manganese, chromium, and nickel in repair and fabrication tasks
• Yardmasters and Switch Operators: Constantly exposed to noise, moving equipment, and environmental hazards during yard operations

These roles are often performed under extreme physical conditions with limited protective equipment, making proper documentation and legal support critical for affected employees.

To qualify for a FELA claim, you must be a railroad employee who was injured while working for a railroad engaged in interstate commerce.

Unlike workers’ compensation, FELA requires that you show some level of negligence on the part of your employer.

This could include unsafe working conditions, faulty equipment, or failure to enforce safety procedures.

Even if you were partially at fault, you may still recover damages—reduced in proportion to your share of responsibility.

In cases involving long-term illness or death resulting from exposure to toxic substances, surviving family members may also qualify to bring a claim.

Strong medical records and documentation are essential to demonstrating the link between your condition and your railroad employment.

Recoverable damages under FELA may include:

• Lost earnings due to time off work or inability to return to your job
• Future fringe benefits, such as retirement or healthcare coverage you would have earned
• Medical expenses for treatment, rehabilitation, and long-term care
• Future pain and suffering, especially in cases involving permanent disability or chronic illness
• Loss of quality of life or inability to engage in former hobbies or family activities
• Wrongful death damages, including lost financial support and emotional loss for surviving dependents

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a railroad injury or occupational illness can take on you and your family.

With decades of experience handling FELA claims, our legal team is committed to helping injured railroad workers hold negligent employers accountable and recover the full compensation they deserve.

Whether your case involves a sudden on-the-job accident or a long-term illness caused by toxic exposure, we’ll fight to prove liability and secure justice through every stage of the legal process.

Contact us today for a free consultation.

You can also use the chat feature on this page to find out if you qualify for a FELA claim instantly.