Train tracks must be maintained regularly to ensure the proper functioning of trains and prevent accidents such as derailments that can have catastrophic consequences. As a result, the railway industry has created job opportunities for truck maintenance personnel to do exactly this, a job that is not only risky but one that can lead to the sustaining of severe and even life-threatening injuries. OSHA is a governmental agency that was created to ensure workers are kept safe in all industries by ensuring that workers are trained on the latest protocol to enhance safety, are provided with PPE or personal protective equipment, follow safety guidelines, and business owners keep their workers injury-free. Failure to follow these protocols allows, thanks to the Federal Employers Liability Act or FELA, an injured worker to seek compensation by filing a personal injury claim.

That being said, railroad worker injury lawsuits are not as simple as they sound, as there are often a lot of moving parts and nuances that may be missed by the average worker. Going it alone with regard to filing a claim is just about the worst thing you can do, as you can either get your claim denied or recover a paltry sum concerning compensation should you decide not to seek legal assistance. To this end, we’d like to fill you in on the technical details surrounding train track maintenance in order to help you file a successful claim going forward.

Are you looking for a railroad track maintenance injuries attorney? Please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about how we can help you recover justice and compensation after getting injured while working on train tracks. For close to three decades, the experienced workers’ compensation injury attorneys at McCready Law have helped thousands of injured individuals from all industries and walks of life recover compensation after getting injured by the intentional or negligent actions of other individuals or entities, and in the process, we’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation for past clients, and it would be an honor to do the same for you. We pride ourselves in our litigation expertise where we’ve taken dozens of cases to trial and won million-dollar verdicts for our injured clients. This is important because the majority of law firms will simply engage in out-of-court negotiations in order to reach a settlement which may not be ideal for you, especially if you suffered life-altering injuries and may require ongoing surgery or rehabilitation, all of which cost a pretty penny. These cases are handled on contingency fee basis, and what this means is that there are ZERO UPFRONT FEES for the duration of the processing of the claim as we only levy our fees at the end of the suit, and only if we’ve recovered compensation on your behalf. Regardless of where you are in the country, please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 if you were working as a railway track maintenance personnel and suffered injuries you believe were caused by someone else’s negligence – our intake team is standing by.

How is Train Track Maintenance Carried Out?

Track maintenance is a vital part of railway operation and the prevention of accidents. Inspections can mean a number of things, such as visual inspections which are done to identify any visible issues such as rail cracks, broken ties and misalignment. In addition, thanks to the evolution of technology, ultrasonic testing and track geometry cars can help detect any internal flaws which may not be visible to the naked eye.

Track maintenance may also mean replacing tracks which may show signs of wear and tear and may cause accidents later on. The replacement process involves lifting the old rail, affixing a new one and then securing it to the ties. This process needs co-operation between workers as well as the use of heavy machinery, underscoring its dangerous nature.

Injuries Associated With Train Track Maintenance

Some of the most common injuries experienced by maintenance crew in the railroad industry include the following:

Crush Injuries

These can occur due to being struck by moving trains while working in limited visibility such as in foggy or rainy days or areas. In addition, workers may get struck by maintenance vehicles such as trucks and rail-mounted cranes which are more often than not used in crowded work areas. Lastly, improperly secured loads on trailers and trucks can shift and fall on workers below.

Trips and Fall Hazards

Track maintenance personnel will often find themselves working on heights, platforms and uneven surfaces which may be slippery or lacking with regard to maintenance and repair, making them unstable and veritable fall and trip hazards. In addition, workers may not have the proper safety equipment such as guardrails and harnesses which can all lower the risk of falls if used consistently.

Repetitive Motion Injuries

The work of a railroad maintenance worker can be repetitive due to the banging, lifting, screwing on and off and the realigning they may have to do for hours at a time during their average day. To this end, it is not uncommon for them to suffer conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome which involves nerves in the wrist getting impinged and inflamed, tendonitis which is an inflammation of the tendons due to overuse, typically found in the knees and shoulders and so on.

Best Countrywide Lawyers for Injured Track Maintenance Workers – Call Us Now!

If employers follow workplace safety regulations including providing railroad workers with sufficient rest, these accidents are less likely to happen. In addition, a negligent act such as not providing workers with the necessary protective equipment and clothing, training them in an inadequate manner, and failing to follow and enforce safety protocol may lead to serious and lasting injuries. If you believe that your employer or co-worker acted in a negligent manner while you were maintaining rail tracks, we’d love to hear from you: please call us NOW at 312-444-0214 to learn more about how we can help you recover compensation after getting injured on train tracks as maintenance personnel. The call is 100% FREE, and we cater to a countrywide clientele. Thanks for choosing McCready Law, and we look forward to helping you.