You have worked for the railroad for many years. Unfortunately, you suffer a work injury to the extent that your doctors tell you that you will be unable to return to work. After you have collected U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) sickness benefits for five months, what are your next options since you are not…
Read MoreFELA Designated Legal Counsel James L. Farina of Hoey & Farina, P.C. is proud to report that his colleague, Craig Church, obtained a $4,800,000.00 gross verdict in Detroit, Michigan, on behalf of George Dunlap, a 55 year old former conductor, and against the Wisconsin Central Railroad (“CN/WC”). As a result of a motor vehicle /…
Read MoreDesignated Counsel James L. Farina of Hoey & Farina, P.C., is proud to report that he obtained a $3,431,026.00 verdict on November 23, 2009, in Bluefield, West Virginia on behalf of Larry L. Koger, a former railroad conductor, and against the Norfolk Southern Railway Co. (“NS”). The jury trial under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act…
Read MoreWhether you’ve been on the railroad thirty days or thirty years, I am sure you have come to the realization that railroad’s policy is to use discipline to control their employees. You have heard it said many times among the rank and file, “It’s the only place in the world where the railroad tries to…
Read MoreAt some point during the initial interview with a new or potential client, I am almost always asked, “How much is my personal injury case worth?” I’ve learned from experience that most clients have already formed an opinion before he/she has asked the question. They have usually been advised by their co-workers, friends, family and the claim…
Read MoreHoey & Farina encourages you to read the Federal Railroad Administration Office of Railroad Policy & Development’s March 2011 publication entitled: Joint Loading And Muscle Activity In The Lower Body While Walking On Ballast The article discusses two projects (2005 and 2010) examining the biomechanics of walking on common railroad yard surfaces. The results suggest that…
Read MoreEach day, railroad workers are exposed to high concentrations of a wood preservative called creosote, which has proven dangerous health effects. While banned for consumer use, creosote remains in wide spread use in the railroad industry to treat railroad ties and railroad plugs. Railroad workers, especially the Maintenance of Way Employees, stand at a higher…
Read MoreOn January 14, 2004, in Des Moines, Iowa, a jury in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, rendered its verdict for $740,282.26, less 5%, in favor of Jose Villa, a 50 year old former Section Laborer from Canutillo, Texas, and against the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Co. (BNSF), the…
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Case Studies / Results
Knee/Hip Injuries
Jury awarded Plaintiff $2,300,000 under the FELA; weeds/vegetation along right of way; knee/hip injuries; multiple surgeries; employee returned to work.
Two Level Back Fusion
Jury awarded Plaintiff $10,000,000.00 under the FELA; close clearance/crush between railcars.
Multiple Injuries to Cervical Spine, Shoulder, Elbow and Knee
Jury awarded Plaintiff $3,979,686 under FELA – failed to provide a safe work place.