Legal Definitions - FELA

FELA stands for the Federal Employers' Liability Act.

This is a specific federal law in the United States that provides a way for railroad workers, or their families, to seek compensation from their employer if they are injured or killed on the job due to the railroad's negligence. Unlike typical state workers' compensation systems, which usually provide benefits regardless of fault, FELA requires the injured worker to prove that the railroad's negligence, even if slight, contributed to their injury. It was enacted to protect railroad employees, who often faced dangerous working conditions, by making it easier for them to sue their employers for workplace injuries.

• Example 1: Faulty Equipment

  A locomotive engineer is operating a train when the brakes unexpectedly fail due to a lack of proper maintenance by the railroad company. The engineer attempts an emergency stop, but the sudden jolt causes them to be thrown against the control panel, resulting in a severe back injury. Under FELA, the engineer could file a lawsuit against the railroad, arguing that the company's negligence in maintaining the braking system directly contributed to their injury.

• Example 2: Unsafe Work Environment

  A track repair crew is working at night, and the railroad company has failed to provide adequate lighting for the work area, despite knowing it's a high-traffic zone. One of the crew members trips over an unseen obstruction on the tracks, falling and breaking an arm. This worker could pursue a FELA claim, asserting that the railroad's negligence in providing a safe, well-lit work environment led to their accident and injury.

• Example 3: Inadequate Training or Supervision

  A new yard worker, still undergoing training, is assigned to couple railcars. The supervisor, distracted by a phone call, fails to properly instruct the worker on a critical safety procedure for the task. As a result, the worker's hand is crushed between two cars during the coupling process. The injured worker could file a FELA claim, alleging that the railroad's negligence in providing sufficient training and supervision directly caused their severe injury.