Railroad Electrician Injury Risks

A locomotive electrician is responsible for maintaining, repairing, and troubleshooting electrical systems.

They handle an array of high-voltage AC and DC systems, traction motors, control circuits, onboard communication equipment, diagnostic software, and auxiliary power units.

Their ability to identify issues quickly and prevent equipment failures directly impacts the reliability of trains, as well as the safety of railroad employees and passengers.

Unlike electricians in manufacturing plants, construction sites, or automotive garages, a train electrician must understand heating systems and other locomotive-specific ones, signaling infrastructure, electronic control modules, and stringent protocols unique to the railroad industry.

The demands go far beyond general wiring or circuit repair; they require mastering specialized diagnostic procedures, understanding locomotive schematics, interpreting sensor data, and operating in places where heavy equipment and hazardous substances are constantly present.

Most individuals who pursue electrician jobs on the railway come from technical schools, apprenticeship programs, or military mechanical specialties.

They must possess advanced troubleshooting abilities, strong mechanical aptitude, and a deep familiarity with various tools, technologies, and railway-specific components.

Practical experience is necessary, as is the ability to work independently or as part of a collaborative team.

Attention to detail is not optional but the primary safeguard against catastrophic electrical failures.

Key Responsibilities of Railroad Electricians

Locomotive electricians perform a wide range of duties.

Duties include:

• Identifying electrical malfunctions in locomotive systems
• Conducting routine inspections and preventative upkeep on wiring, sensors, switches, relays, and other components
• Repairing or replacing faulty electrical parts, such as breakers, relays, contactors, power connectors, and generators
• Testing, calibrating, and tuning electronic control systems responsible for braking, engine management, communication, and power distribution
• Installing upgraded systems or newly engineered electrical components in locomotives according to technical specifications and electrical codes
• Documenting all diagnostic findings, maintenance tasks, repairs, and parts replacements
• Working closely with mechanical teams, machinists, and other technicians to resolve problems

Tools and Technologies

Train electricians use specialized tools and equipment that allow them to diagnose and fix locomotive systems.

Tools and equipment include:

• Diagnostic equipment such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, circuit tracers, insulation resistance testers, and programmable diagnostic modules
• A variety of precision hand tools, such as strippers, crimpers, screwdrivers, wrenches, and torque tools
• Diagnostic laptops and proprietary software systems for interfacing with locomotive control modules, checking error codes, and performing calibrations
• Rigging equipment and lifting tools that help access hard-to-reach components located under locomotives or within cramped engine compartments
• Personal protective equipment (PPE), including safety glasses, flame-resistant clothing, hard hats, gloves, and hearing protection
• Detailed wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and computer-aided diagnostic resources specific to each locomotive model or manufacturer

Work Environment

Train electricians work in places unlike any other electrical specialty.

They carry out their duties in rail yards, maintenance depots, repair shops, and active tracks.

The setting is typically industrial, noisy, and physically demanding.

Temperatures fluctuate widely depending on the season and location.

Many tasks must also be performed outdoors, even in extreme weather conditions.

The job often requires working at heights, navigating confined spaces, kneeling for extended periods, and maneuvering around heavy machinery.

Shift work, night schedules, weekend assignments, and on-call duties are also common because railroads run continuously.

The physical stress of railroad work can take a serious toll.

Like engineers, brakemen, shopmen, conductors, and car department employees, train electricians always face the possibility of sustaining injuries.

Common injuries include:

• Electrical Burns: Locomotive electricians frequently handle high-voltage systems. When safety protocols are ignored or equipment is improperly maintained, arc flashes and short circuits may cause severe burns. These burns may penetrate deep tissue, damage nerves and muscles, and require extensive medical treatment.
• Shocks: Electric shocks occur when an electrician comes into contact with exposed wiring, defective insulation, energized components, or improperly grounded systems. Even non-fatal shocks can lead to neurological injuries, cardiac issues, or nerve damage.
• Falls: Falls are common due to the elevated and uneven surfaces where train electricians work. Tasks may involve climbing onto locomotives, accessing roof-mounted equipment, or performing from ladders and platforms. Slippery surfaces, poor lighting, and inadequate protection gear lead to increased risks.
• Repetitive Motion Injuries: Over time, continuous use of hand tools, working in cramped positions, and performing repetitive tasks can result in tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, back injuries, and chronic joint pain.
• Trauma From Confined-Space or Elevated Work: Train electricians frequently operate in tight engine compartments and small access points. Limited visibility, sharp edges, moving parts, and awkward body positions contribute to a high incidence of contusions, lacerations, crush injuries, and musculoskeletal strain.

Besides physical injuries, train electricians also face health risks from chronic exposure to toxic substances.

These workplace exposures occur through inhalation, skin contact, ingestion of particulates, or contact with contaminated equipment and engine components.

The long-term effects can be devastating.

Many substances associated with railroad upkeep bring up neurological damage, organ toxicity, and various cancer diagnoses.

Some illnesses do not present symptoms until decades later.

Substances that can cause issues include:

• Solvents: Railroads use industrial cleaners, brake cleaners, and degreasers containing harsh chemicals. Prolonged exposure has been associated with central nervous system impairment, liver and kidney toxicity, and chronic respiratory issues.
• Asbestos Insulation: Many older locomotives and railcars still contain asbestos in insulation, brake systems, gaskets, and electrical housings. Disturbing these materials releases microscopic fibers that cause mesothelioma, lung cancer, and asbestosis.
• Diesel Fumes: Diesel exhaust exposure has been linked to lung cancer, throat cancer, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL). Repeated inhalation results in substantially increased risks and has been a central issue in many railroad cancer lawsuit filings.
• Welding Fumes: Welding activities in rail yards release metal dust, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, chromium, ozone, and more. Inhalation may cause neurological disorders, respiratory illnesses, and lung damage.
• Older Electrical Components Containing PCBs: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — once used in transformers, capacitors, and other electrical components — are highly toxic and have been linked to many railroad workers and cancer cases.

The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) is a federal statute that protects injured railroad employees due to employer negligence.

Unlike a no-fault workers’ compensation system, FELA allows affected workers or their survivors to file a FELA lawsuit directly against their railroad employer.

Railroad workers must file FELA claims within three years of the date of injury or the date on which the injury or illness should reasonably have been discovered.

This rule applies not only to traumatic injuries but also to occupational diseases like cancers caused by diesel fumes, asbestos, solvents, or PCBs. As such, determining the “discovery date” may be complex for railroad cancer claims when the cancer diagnosis emerges years later.

Wrongful death cases follow a similar three-year timeline, and the claim must be filed by a legally recognized personal or union representative.

FELA provides more flexibility than state workers’ compensation systems.

Cases may be brought in state or federal court, and some states have unique procedural rules that influence the handling of evidence and expert testimony.

Crucially, FELA uses a comparative negligence model.

If the track engineer, brakeman, conductor, electrician, or any other railroad employee at risk is partially at fault, their benefits may be reduced proportionally, but they are never barred from recovery.

Failing to file a FELA claim within the statute of limitations can permanently eliminate the right to recover damages.

Courts strictly enforce this deadline, and claims filed late even by a single day are typically dismissed.

Missing the deadline places enormous financial burdens on railroad workers and their families.

Delays also weaken a strong case, as evidence may be discarded, accident scenes may change, records may disappear, and witnesses may forget key details.

Step 1: Seek Medical Treatment and Report the Injury or Illness

The priority should always be medical care.

If you, other active employees, or a family member gets hurt on the job, seek treatment right away.

A prompt medical evaluation documents the injury, delivers proper care, and creates records for your future claim.

Then, report the incident to the railroad employer as soon as possible.

Step 2: Consult a FELA Lawyer

Defining when the statute of limitations begins can be complicated.

Fortunately, an experienced attorney can help establish the date of discovery and that the injury qualifies under FELA.

They also explain your rights, gather necessary documents, and ensure timely filing.

Legal guidance is especially important for railroad cancer lawsuit cases, where railroad companies often contest timelines.

Step 3: Collect Relevant Evidence

Success in a FELA lawsuit hinges on proof of employer negligence.

You must show that the railroad failed to maintain safe equipment, violated safety rules, or allowed exposure to hazardous substances.

Key types of documentation include:

• Job History and Employment Records: Demonstrate your duties, exposure risks, assignments, and time spent in high-hazard areas.
• Medical Records: Provide diagnoses, medical history, prognosis, and documentation linking the injury or illness to workplace conditions.
• Maintenance Logs: Show whether the equipment was properly serviced or whether safety concerns were ignored.
• Voltage Testing Records: Reveal defects, irregularities, or unsafe electrical conditions that contributed to an accident.
• Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS): Identify the chemicals you were exposed to and their associated health risks.
• Exposure Reports: Document incidents involving diesel fumes, solvents, PCBs, welding gases, or asbestos.
• Statements or Testimony: Talk to other active employees, supervisors, or experts who may confirm the accident or dangerous conditions.
• Photographs or Videos: Record equipment defects, accident scenes, or unsafe workplace environments.
• Expert Analyses: Reach out to industrial hygienists, medical experts, engineers, and safety specialists for expert opinions.
• Personal Notes: Record symptoms, exposure events, or dangers you observed as a locomotive electrician.

Step 4: File a Formal Legal Claim

Your FELA attorney files the lawsuit in either state or federal court under FELA.

The choice of venue influences the procedural rules, the jury pool, and the presentation of evidence.

Step 5: Start Pre-Trial Discovery

Both parties exchange documents, gather expert testimony, take depositions, and request logs, safety reports, and other evidence.

The discovery phase builds the factual foundation of the case.

Step 6: Attempt Negotiation or Mediation

Many railroads attempt to settle FELA claims well before a jury ever hears evidence.

This stage is known as negotiation, and it may involve informal discussions between your attorney and the railroad’s claim representative or defense counsel.

In other cases, the parties may participate in a more structured process known as mediation, where a neutral third-party mediator facilitates settlement discussions.

Negotiation and mediation are beneficial when handled correctly, but you must be cautious.

Railroads frequently make early offers that seem generous but fail to account for the future impact of your current situation.

You suffer severe electrical burns after a malfunctioning breaker panel arcs during a routine checkup.

The panel had been flagged for replacement multiple times, but your company delayed repair due to budget constraints.

Consequently, you undergo multiple surgeries and miss nearly a year of work.

Before gathering evidence, the railroad’s claim agent reaches out with a settlement offer of $75,000.

With medical bills and financial pressure, you are tempted to accept.

Once your FELA attorney conducts a full damages analysis, you discover the actual value of the claim and aim for higher compensation.

Keep in mind that once you accept a settlement, you cannot reopen the claim later, even if symptoms worsen.

Step 7: Proceed to Trial

If both parties fail to reach a settlement, the case moves to trial. FELA cases involve technical evidence, expert testimony, and detailed explanations of workplace hazards.

Your attorney will file and argue motions, select a jury, and present opening statements that frame the negligence issues and your damages.

Throughout trial, the legal team counters the railroad’s defenses and preserves issues for appeal if necessary.

Step 8: Present the Case Before a Jury

If both parties fail to reach a settlement, the case moves to trial. FELA cases involve technical evidence, expert testimony, and detailed explanations of workplace hazards.

Your attorney will file and argue motions, select a jury, and present opening statements that frame the negligence issues and your damages.

Throughout trial, the legal team counters the railroad’s defenses and preserves issues for appeal if necessary.

Step 9: Receive Compensation

A jury evaluates the evidence, determines whether the employer was negligent, and decides on the amount of compensation owed to the injured worker or their family.

Witnesses—including treating physicians, safety experts, and coworkers—testify about the incident, the hazards, and the impact on your life.

The jury then applies FELA’s causation standard to reach a verdict on liability and damages.

Properly assessing damages is critical to achieving fair compensation in a FELA claim.

Railroad injuries require lifelong care and significant financial resources, and a precise evaluation ensures the benefits reflect their true impact.

Potential damages in railroad injury cases may include:

• Past, present, and future medical expenses
• Lost earnings
• Lost future earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and psychological trauma
• Physical impairment or disability
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Disfigurement or permanent scarring
• Long-term care and rehabilitation costs
• Funeral and burial expenses in wrongful death cases
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and support for surviving family members

Gianaris Trial Lawyers understands the dangers of being a locomotive electrician.

Our legal team works tirelessly to hold railroad companies accountable, leveraging decades of experience handling railroad injury and occupational exposure cases.

Does your case involve an electrical accident or long-term exposure to chemicals?

At Gianaris Trial Lawyers, we have successfully represented countless railroad employees in their workers’ compensation and FELA claims.

Dial (618) 681-9999 or contact Gianaris Trial Lawyers online for a free and confidential consultation.

You may also use the chat feature on this page to learn whether you qualify for a railroad injury lawsuit.

We are prepared to fight for the justice you deserve.