Amtrack Train Derails

An Amtrak train derailed early this morning while on its way to Los Angeles.  The train derailed near Higginson, Arkansas around 3:00 a.m. Wednesday morning.  Thankfully, no injuries have been reported so far. 

An investigation into why the Amtrak train derailed is currently ongoing. 

FELA lawsuit underscores risk of spinal cord damage to rail workers

Union Pacific Railroad Company is facing a lawsuit from a worker alleging that he was injured after forced to repeatedly carry heavy objects.  The victim, a conductor named David Brinkley, claims that he had to carry awkwardly shaped objects over uneven ballast surfaces in addition to having to climb in and out of railroad cars to operate poorly maintained switches.

 

All of this work, Brinkley alleges, caused him to develop a degenerative spinal condition that has led to great pain, disability, mental anguish and a loss of income.  He is seeking more than $250,000 plus costs.

 

Spinal cord damage can be very serious, especially for rail workers, many of whom depend on being physically fit to do their job.  Unfortunately, spine injures are not uncommon given the taxing nature of railway work.

 

Rail workers can injure their spines in falls, accidents, collisions, or they can be hurt by repetitive motion tasks.  Spine injuries can be debilitating, requiring surgery, rehabilitation, or physical therapy.  They can also lead to a worker being unable to perform their job duties, which can lead to a loss of income.  If a spine injury is serious enough, a rail worker could be out of a job completely. 

 

Please read more about rail workers and spine injuries in our law library article “Rail workers deserve compensation for serious spine injuries” and contact our office to discuss your situation for no cost or obligation.

Report your railroad accident injury to a supervisor immediately

One of the worst things you can do after being injured in a railroad accident on the job is failing to report your injury to management. 

Sometimes, your supervisor or management may try to convince you not to file an accident report immediately. 

Not filing your report immediately only hurts your case. If you are hurt on the job, you need to report your accident immediately. No exceptions, unless you are just physically unable to report the accident for some reason.

Reporting the accident early allows you to capture information accurately, including information from any witnesses, the time and exact location of the injury while working on the railroad, and the weather conditions. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on the job, contact railroad worker accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Trolley accident injures 49, conductor was text messaging before crash

A Boston trolley accident happened after the conductor was text messaging his girlfriend, according to Boston.com. The conductor rear-ended another Green Line trolley, injuring 49 people and causing the Government Center station to close.

Under company policy, a driver can be fired for texting while operating a train, trolley, or bus.

All 49 injuries were not considered life-threatening, although majority of the victims went to the hospital immediately following the crash. The operator of the striking trolley suffered a broken wrist.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on the job, contact railroad worker accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Four major subway or commuter railroad accidents in the past 10 months in the U.S.

A recent railroad accident in San Francisco, CA marked the fourth major railroad injury accident in the past ten months, according to The New York Times.

Forty-eight people were injured; four seriously, in the San Francisco train wreck, after the operator allegedly failed to engage the emergency brake, causing the train to slam into another parked train.

Twenty-five people died in a railroad accident in Los Angeles, when a commuter train crashed into a freight train. The conductor was sending text messages on his cellphone while he was operating the train, seconds before the crash.

One trolley rear-ended another in Boston, causing 50 people to be injured in Boston. The trolley conductor admitted to sending text messages when the crash occurred.

The most recent train accident was one that happened in Washington, DC, when nine people lost their lives after one subway train rear-ended another. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on the job, contact railroad worker accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Train accident in San Francisco leaves 48 injured, four seriously

According to the New York Times, The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a railroad accident that injured dozens of passengers and the conductor in San Francisco, California.

According to an investigator with the NTSB, the train operator switched the controls from automatic to manual in a tunnel, but did not engage the emergency brake. If the operator had left the autopilot on, the train would have slowed down before it arrived in the station. In the railroad accident, the train slammed into a parked train while going 23 miles per hour. 

None of the injuries were life threatening, although 48 people were injured in the crash, four of them seriously. The investigators are also trying to find out if cell phone usage was a factor in the railroad injury accident. 

If you or someone you know has suffered a railroad injury on the job, contact railroad worker accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Texas man injured hip after jumping from moving train as part of job

According to the Southeast Texas Record, Glen Savoie of Bexar County recently filed suit against Union Pacific Railroad Co., after claiming that he was forced to jump on and off moving objects, causing an injury to his hip. His job duties required him to mount and dismount moving equipment in Jefferson County.

The injury caused him to lose out on wages, caused physical pain, physical impairment, mental anguish, as well acquire current and future medical bills.  
The case has been assigned to Judge Milton Shuffield, 136th District Court.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact railroad worker accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Illinois man sues railroad employer for ergonomically incorrect equipment

Tyrone Jourdan of Illinois is bringing a $50,000 lawsuit against his employer, Union Pacific Railroad Company, alleging that was required to work with tools that were not ergonomically designed to reduce risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. 

He is claiming that his railroad worker injury was caused by working with these types of tools since 1969 has caused injuries to his hands, arms, wrists, neck and spine.

According to the Madison St. Clair Record: 

Jourdan man blames Union Pacific for a number of negligent acts, including its failure to provide Jourdan with safe conditions and its requirement that Jourdan perform job duties that involve forceful, repetitive use of his hands, arms, wrists, neck and spine in awkward positions.

Because of his injuries caused by his work, Jourdan may have to undergo surgery, the suit states. In addition, he has experienced severe pain and suffering, suffered psychological and emotional injury, mental anguish and anxiety, incurred medical costs, lost substantial wages and fringe benefits and will forever be seriously impaired, the complaint says.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact construction accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Knowing who your union representatives are can aid you in the event of a railroad work accident.

Knowing what local, lodge, or division you belong to can make reporting a railroad work injury a lot smoother. Every railroad worker should know who their union officers are, as well as be up-to-date on any and all changes that the union goes through that can effect your safety and well-being. Get involved in your union, get to know your officers and keep yourself informed.

After a railroad work injury, you must be report the accident. Knowing exactly who to go to can save you time and paperwork, while the accident is still fresh in your mind. Protect your rights and your job with the help of your union in the event of an accident. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact construction accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Employers may use intimidation, cross-examination after railroad worker injury

According to the Railroad Workers United website, if a railroad worker is injured while on the job, it is important for him or her to watch our for certain tactics by the employers. The employer might try to get the employee to admit that the injury was his fault, and that he is injured due to his own mistake. 

Surrounding the injured worker with different supervisors who will then cross-examine the worker is also something to watch out for. The supervisors will look for changes if the story, or admittance of fault, hoping to get the employee to say something self-incriminating or inconsistent with what he told the others. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact construction accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Injured railroad workers vulnerable, hire an attorney to handle your railroad worker accident case

Don't be taken advantage of by those trying to get you to admit fault. Read the following excerpt from Railroad Workers United on protecting your rights:

When you have been injured while working on the railroad, your employers know that you are in pain and concerned about your medical care. 

You are thinking about your future on the railroad and most certainly your concentration is diminished or non-existent. In other words, you are vulnerable and the railroad is positioned to take full advantage. Later, when we, your attorneys, become involved and start to negotiate with the claim or law department, your statement to the claim agent and testimony at the formal investigation are used to show that you admitted responsibility according to the railroad. Your claim's value can be greatly reduced or eliminated altogether.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact construction accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Construction-related deaths high in the state of Texas

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, one construction worker dies every 2 ½ days, and no other state has a higher rate of construction-related deaths. In 2007, 142 deaths were reported.

These statistics, highlighted in Melissa del Bosque's article, Dying to Build- Why Texas is the deadliest state for construction workers, go along with the problems she blames on sub-standard enforcement of labor laws, too many overtime hours worked without breaks, and lack of safety training and equipment.

Read this startling fact on the lack of OSHA inspectors in the state of Texas:

According to a 2008 report by the AFL-CIO, Death on the Job, it would take the 177 OSHA inspectors 144 years to visit every workplace in the state at least once."

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on the job, contact construction accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Rail worker sues employer for $1 million over unsafe work environment

A rail worker injured while working for Union Pacific Railroad Company is asking for $1 million in damages from the company, claiming he was injured because of an unsafe work environment.

 

The man, Phillip Roberts, 50, was injured at a site in Wood River when he tripped over an abandoned telephone wire running along the tracks.  Roberts claims that Union Pacific was negligent because they did not provide him with a safe work environment as they failed to clear vegetation and failed to provide him with a reasonable pathway.

 

A witness, Willy Calloway, claims that he repeatedly warned Roberts to be careful of “tripping hazards” as the two moved along the Wood River tracks.  Calloway also claims that when he asked if Roberts was okay after he tripped, Roberts responded “I guess.”

 

Union Pacific contends that Roberts’ injuries are the result of a pre-existing ailment and that he contributed to his own fall.  The trial is taking place in Madison County, Illinois.

 

Union Pacific is probably going to fight hard in this case.  You can read why employers hate FELA in our law library article “Why your railroad employer doesn’t like FELA” and other articles in our FELA railway worker injury law library.

Former Employee of the Quarter killed on job while inspecting railroad tracks

A man recently named Employee of the Quarter was killed last month after inspecting the train tracks at Metromover in Miami, Florida, according to the Miami Herald.

The Metromover employee, who was 64-years-old, was surveying the train tracks when a computerized train lurched forward for unknown reasons. A conductor did not man the vehicle.  

This was the first time a Metromover employee died on the tracks. 

The Miami Herald also reported that the National Transportation Board was investigating the injury on the railroad, since the company receives federal money.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on the railroad, contact railroad accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

What laws apply to railroad injury cases?

If you were injured working for the railroad, then a special set of laws called the Federal Employees Liability Act (FELA) will apply to your case. Most lawyers will never handled a FELA case. You need a lawyer who knows FELA law. 

In the early 1900's, railroad workers were suffering personal injury and death at an astonishing rate. The public was angry, and they demanded that railroad workers, and their widows and kids, be protected under the law. 

The United States Congress responded, and in 1908, the Congress passed The Federal Employers' Liability Act (FELA) in an effort to protect injured railroad workers.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury on the railroad, contact railroad accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Train derailment takes one life, causes serious injury for three others

A deadly train derailment in Illinois recently took the life of an innocent woman who was waiting in a car for the train to pass through crossings, according to the NY Times. 

The train was carrying thousands of gallons of ethanol, when the train went off the tracks for an unknown reason, causing the 14 of the 114 cars to catch fire. Three other people were able to escape from the car while it was being hit with airborne railroad ties, and were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Hundreds of homes surrounding the train track had to be evacuated. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact railroad accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Do I need an attorney for my railroad injury case if I have been seriously injured?

If you have suffered a serious injury while working for the railroad, chances are that a serious, qualified, experienced railroad lawyer will be necessary for you to obtain the best possible settlement in your case.

In serious cases, the railroads will have an "army" of lawyers, claims agents, doctors, and other professionals whose goal is to minimize your settlement. In these cases, you'll probably need a lawyer. 

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact FELA lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Do I even need an attorney for my small railroad injury case?

The truth is that not all railroad injury cases or victims need a lawyer. You definitely do not need an attorney for every small injury case. In fact, our office does not even accept cases involving minor injuries.

Why not? Simple. In a small case, the attorney fees and expenses might leave you with little or nothing for you after your medical bills are paid. We don't believe that would be fair to you.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact railroad accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

OSHA investigating fatal Disney monorail crash that killed one person

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking into the Disney monorail railroad accident that killed 21 year old Austin Wuennenberg. In the railroad accident, one monorail train crashed into the other at a Disney theme park. The monorails are responsible for transporting thousands of Disney visitors every day.

OSHA is trying to determine whether any workplace safety violations were broken, according to the Associated Press. The National Transportation Safety Board is also looking into the railroad crash, which is unprecedented since the group is known for investigating airline crashes and not railroad crashes.

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury while working on the railroad, contact railroad accident injury lawyer Brian Beckcom immediately at 877.724.7800.

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Drivers: Be extra cautious around trains and railroad tracks to avoid train injury accidents

Even if a railroad track looks rusty or overgrown, there is still a possibility that trains travel on them. Never walk on train tracks or allow children to play on or near them. Remember that train tracks are private property, no matter which railroad owns them. Trains have the right of way 100% of the time - over ambulances, fire engines, cars, the police and pedestrians, according to Operation Lifesaver. 

A typical locomotive weighs approximately 400,000 pounds or 200 tons. When 100 railcars are added to the locomotive, the train can weigh approximately 6,000 tons. The weight ratio of an automobile to a train is proportional to a soda can and an automobile, according to Operation Lifesaver. 

Always obey crossing signals, lights, and signs at railroad crossings. Being cautious around trains and railroads tracks is one of the simplest ways to avoid an injury while working on the railroad. 

If you have suffered an injury while working on the railroad, you need information. Contact a trusted train injury lawyer by calling Brian Beckcom at 877.724.7800 today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Witness information key to proving your railroad accident injury case

Even if seems absolutely clear who was at fault in an injured worker train accident, you still need to make a note of who witnessed your injury while working on the railroad and how to get in contact with them.

Make sure to obtain the witness's name, address, phone number, email address, and a detailed description of what they saw. Have them sign the statement after asking permission to use their statement if needed.

You would be amazed at how memories change over time and if the railroad puts pressure on potential witnesses.

If you have suffered an injury while working on the railroad, you need information. Contact a trusted train injury lawyer by calling Brian Beckcom at 877.724.7800 today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Train accident injured workers may seek treatment with a doctor of their choice

Injured workers who have suffered from a train accident often believe that they must seek treatment from a doctor chosen by the employer. 

This is a myth. 

Injured workers are free to see their own doctors, doctors of their choosing, who are independent of the railroad and railroad union. Most good railroad accident attorneys can help coordinate an appointment for you with an independent doctor.

If you have suffered an injury while working on the railroad, you need information. Contact a trusted train injury lawyer by calling Brian Beckcom at 877.724.7800 today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

On-the-job train accident injuries must be reported immediately

As with any accident, regardless of fault, it is imperative to report a train accident injury immediately.

Sometimes, your supervisor or management may try to convince you not to file an accident report immediately. THIS IS A TERRIBLE IDEA. It only hurts your case. If you are hurt on the job, you need to report your injury from working on the railroad immediately. No exceptions, unless you are just physically unable to report the accident for some reason.

Reporting the railroad injury case right away provides a better chance for the facts to be accurate and times to be properly documented. 

If you have suffered an injury while working on the railroad, you need information. Contact a trusted train injury lawyer by calling Brian Beckcom at 877.724.7800 today for your free, no-obligation consultation.

About our law firm

Our law firm is based in Houston, Texas.  We handle Railroad Injury Cases and cases under the Federal Employer's Liability Act (FELA).  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.  The insurance company wants me to give a statement - what should I do?

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

4.  Do I need a lawyer for my railroad injury case?

Mr. Beckcom wrote a special report for injured railroad workers called "Five Ways to Derail Your Railroad Injury Case" which provides information to injured railroad workers that the railroad claims agent does not want you to know.

Mr. Beckcom is board-certified in personal injury law and handles injury cases against the railroads on behalf of injured railroad workers and their families. 

Mr. Beckcom believes that injured railroad workers deserve the same level of legal help that the huge railroad companies receive. Mr. Beckcom's goal is to "level the playing field" for the injured worker and obtain the best possible settlement in the shortest amount of time.

To schedule an appointment to speak with Mr. Beckcom directly, call toll free at 877.724.7800 or use the contact form on this website.

Jurors side with CSX in FELA lawsuit filed by injured rail conductor

A conductor injured when he was startled by the presence of a goose under a train has lost a FELA lawsuit he brought against CSX Transportation in West Virginia.  The jury in the case made their decision after only 25 minutes of deliberation.

 

The plaintiff, Aaron E. Richards, filed the FELA suit last year.  According to the suit Richards was injured while performing a brake test on a train.  During the test a goose startled Richards, knocking him backwards.  Richards twisted his ankle on railroad ties and debris.

 

The FELA lawsuit against CSX claimed that the rail company was negligent in not removing the goose fro the rail yard.  CSX however maintained that they had no prior knowledge of the goose and that wildlife was common in and around rail yards.

 

In the suit Richards was seeking nearly $24,000 in lost wages and other compensatory damages.  He was also seeking past and future pain and medical treatment and impairment of future earning capacity.

 

Part of the undoing of Richards’ case was a standard incident report form that he completed while in the hospital.  In response to the question “Was anyone at fault?” Richards answered “no”.  Richards’ attorney maintained that CSX had a duty to provide a safe working environment for their workers, and the presence of geese in the rail yard was a safety issue.

 

In other FELA cases, injured rail workers have lost to juries but with a new attorney have succeeded the second time.

Union Pacific Named in FELA lawsuit

A Union Pacific Railroad employee has filed a FELA lawsuit claiming that he developed a musculoskeletal disease after working on unsafe company equipment.  The plaintiff, Albert Wickam, worked as a carman for Union Pacific since 1971.

 

Because of his work Wickam claimed that he was subjected to risk factors and cumulative trauma that led him to develop musculoskeletal disorders in his back and spine.  According to the complaint, Union Pacific knew that the equipment and tools being used by employees were not ergonomically designed to reduce or eliminate disease risk factors.

 

Union Pacific allegedly failed to provide Wickam with a safe working environment and required him to perform forceful, repetitive movements with no time for adequate rest and without assistance.  The heavy machinery that Wickam was required to use allegedly vibrated and jarred his back to his detriment.

 

Wickam’s work environment led him to suffer from permanent and disabling injuries to his back and spine.  He has needed or may need surgery to correct the problems and has also suffered from physical and psychological pain as a result of his injuries.  In addition, Wickam claims to have suffered anxiety, mental anguish, and suffers from limited function and severe pain.

 

The lawsuit contends that Wickam should be compensated for lost wages, medical costs, fringe benefits, and his impaired work ability.  Wickam is seeking over $50,000 plus costs.