You may have chosen the profession of a railroad carman knowing fully the dangerous nature of the work. But even with such posed dangers, you should still expect your railroad company employer to protect you from worksite injuries as much as possible. With that being said, please continue reading to learn how a railroad carman might get injured on the job and how one of the experienced FELA lawyers at Hildebrand McLeod & Nelson LLP can help if you ever find yourself a victim of such injury.
What is the role of a railroad carman?
Within the railroad industry, a railroad carman is primarily responsible for inspecting, maintaining, repairing, and building railroad cars. In essence, this job entails physical work, such as lifting hand tools, power equipment, and car parts, along with welding, painting, and more. The work environment for a railroad carman is typically in an outdoor space, regardless of the inclement weather conditions. That is, their work is typically conducted in open-air yards and shops. Unfortunately, these car shops are often in old and deteriorated states. All these external factors simply fuel the potential dangers surrounding this field of work.
How might a railroad carman get injured on the job?
To reiterate, your railroad company employer is expected to comply with certain safety standards, regulated by the Federal Railroad Administration. Otherwise, your already high risk of being made the victim of a catastrophic injury may become even greater. This is all to say that railroad carmen typically get catastrophically injured when their employer fails to provide the right safety equipment and overall foster a safe workplace environment. More specific examples, which may apply to you and your injury case, read as follows:
- You may be expected to perform the same repetitive motions throughout your workday without being offered the necessary breaks.
- You may be expected to work with a wheel-turning machine or any other machine that has been poorly maintained or proven defective.
- You may be expected to lift hundreds of pounds worth of rolling steel regularly without being provided with the proper assistance or assistive devices.
- You may be expected to work in a car shop with powerful solvents, degreasers, and other chemicals circulating the air without proper masks or respirators.
- You may be expected to work in a car shop with asbestos in the insulation, vinyl tiles, etc. instead of being provided a temporary workplace during its removal.
- You may be expected to always be on guard for wet, slippery surfaces throughout the car shop instead of having these areas blocked off or cleaned up promptly.
Going about your FELA claim should not be done without the wise legal counsel of one of the skilled FELA lawyers. So please call to schedule your initial consultation with us at Hildebrand McLeod & Nelson LLP today.
