Union Pacific Railroad loses jury verdict to injured railroad worker

Union Pacific Railroad recently lost a $5,390,000.00 jury verdict against an injured railroad employee.

The employee was using a hayfork to lift 10-pound oil filters into a crusher.  He injured his low back while doing that work, requiring three back surgeries. 

The injured railroad worker sued his employer, Union Pacific Railroad, under FELA, the Federal Employees Liability Act. 

The jury awarded the worker $5,390,000.00.

Injured on the railroad?

The FELA and railroad injury attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle serious injury and wrongful death claims.  We beat the insurance companies all the time in order to get reasonable and fair settlements for our clients.

If you have a been abused or mistreated by an insurance company, call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases across the State of Texas and beyond.  Both partners are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Please take a moment to read the following articles:

1.  How to select a Texas lawyer for your injury or accident case

2.  Common misconceptions in Texas truck accident cases

3.  Five things that could wreck your Texas car or truck accident case

4.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

5.  How to beat the insurance companies at their own game - ask these 5 questions

6.  Do I need a lawyer for my car or truck accident case?

7.  What to do immediately if you are involved in a Texas car or truck accident

Burn injuries on locomotive lead to settlement in railroad injury case

Recently, a railroad worker was trying to restart a locomotive when a coolant hose exploded, spewing hot fluid all over him and causing him to fall from the railroad platform to the ground.

He suffered burns over 7 percent of his body and needed arthroscopic surgery on his shoulder and right knee.  He also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

The injured railroad worker sued his employer, CSX, under FELA, the Federal Employees Liability Act. 

Following a jury trial, the jury awarded the injured worker $4,000,000.00 in damages.

Injured on the railroad?

The FELA and railroad injury attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle serious injury and wrongful death claims.  We beat the insurance companies all the time in order to get reasonable and fair settlements for our clients.

If you have a been abused or mistreated by an insurance company, call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases across the State of Texas and beyond.  Both partners are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Please take a moment to read the following articles:

1.  How to select a Texas lawyer for your injury or accident case

2.  Common misconceptions in Texas truck accident cases

3.  Five things that could wreck your Texas car or truck accident case

4.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

5.  How to beat the insurance companies at their own game - ask these 5 questions

6.  Do I need a lawyer for my car or truck accident case?

7.  What to do immediately if you are involved in a Texas car or truck accident

Train derailment kills Channelview man

The Houston Chronicle reports today that a man was killed when a train derailed and hit him.

The worker was standing between trains that were on parallel tracks when one train derailed. 

Investigators were trying to determine why the train left the tracks.  No information was available and the accident is still under investigation.

Our prayers to the family and friends of the railroad worker, and our best hopes and wishes that the investigators get to the bottom of this and don't let any cover-up occur.

Railroad accident or wrongful death?

The railroad attorneys at Vujasinovic & Beckcom handle wrongful death and injury cases involving railroad injury claims.  Call toll free 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle personal injury and wrongful death cases across the State of Texas and beyond.  Both partners are Board Certified in Personal Injury Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

To read more about the firm, or to request an appointment with one of the firm's attorneys, please visit our main website at

www.vbattorneys.com

Want to read more about Texas accident and injury law?

Please take a moment to read the following articles:

1.  How to select a Texas lawyer for your injury or accident case

2.  Common misconceptions in Texas truck accident cases

3.  Five things that could wreck your Texas car or truck accident case

4.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

5.  How to beat the insurance companies at their own game - ask these 5 questions

6.  Do I need a lawyer for my car or truck accident case?

7.  What to do immediately if you are involved in a Texas car or truck accident

Union Pacific Railroad loses injury case against injured railroad conductor

According to published reports, Union Pacific Railroad has settled an interesting injury case with a 50-year old railroad conductor.

http://www.evworld.com/images/up_graintrain.jpgThe employee was hurt when he slipped and fell on a patch of ice on a motel walkway.  He tore his medial and lateral meniscus in his right knee.  He suffered from loss of knee cartilage, resulting in bone-on-bone contact, severe arthritis, and will eventually need a total knee replacement.

According to the railroad conductor, Union Pacific had contracted with the motel to house employees.  Thus, the motel was an extension of his workplace. 

Under the Federal Employee Liability Act (FELA), railroads are liable for failing to provide safe workplaces.

According to the conductor, the hotel was poorly lit, lights were burnt out, and motel management failed to fix the problem even after several people complained.

The case was tried to a jury.  The jury rendered a verdict of $942,000. 

The case is styled Sigler v. Union Pac. R.R. Co., Neb., Douglas Co. Dist., No. 1035-039.

Important point

Under the FELA (and the Jones Act since the Jones Act is based on FELA) railroads (and vessel owner/operators) are liable even if the employee is not on their premises if the work is within the course and scope of their employment.