FELA, or the Federal Employment Liability Act assures railroad employees a safe work place and gives them and their families the right to recover compensation if injured in a railroad related accident. Under FELA, injured employees can seek compensation for wage loss, future wage loss, medical expenses and treatments, pain and suffering, and for partial or permanent disability. All railroad solvent exposure lawsuits have been filed under FELA.
BNSF Worker Awarded $1.2M
April 7, 2008
An injured BNSF railroad worker was recently awarded $1.2 million by a jury in Yellowstone County District Court.
The verdict was reached last week following a two-week trial.
Man Suffers from Spinal Injury
Ken R. Dellos, a resident of Wyoming, and a 52-year-old former engineer who worked for over 30 years for the railroad was named as the plaintiff in the suit.
Dellos allegedly suffered from a spinal injury while at work and filed the civil lawsuit shortly afterwards.
Suit Filed
In the suit, the jury found that the railroad company violated the federal Locomotive Inspection Act and was responsible for Dellos’ injuries.
Dellos was reportedly awarded $840,000 in lost wages and $360,000 for his pain and suffering.
Fred Bremseth who represented former BNSF employees in similar cases against the railroad company says that he hopes this case encourages the railroad to take the safety of its employees more seriously.
“The tragedy is these things are preventable,” says Bremseth.
(Source: Billings Gazette)
Have you been harmed while working on the railroad? If so, please contact us to speak with an experienced attorney who will enable you and your loved ones to receive the compensation you need and deserve.