The True Cost of Railroad Injuries on Families and Communities

Railroad work carries risks that extend far beyond the individual. When a railroad employee gets hurt on the job, whether it is a shoulder tear, crushed knee, or debilitating back problem, the impact spreads to everyone around them. What begins as one person’s injury quickly becomes a family’s shared burden, touching every aspect of daily life.

The statistics tell a sobering story. According to Federal Railroad Administration data, thousands of railroad workers sustain reportable injuries each year. In 2024, eight employees lost their lives on duty, in addition to the thousands of non-fatal injuries. Behind each number is a real person: someone’s parent, partner, or child whose death or injury leaves a hole that can’t be filled.

Of course, the injured worker faces obvious challenges: physical pain, potential disability, and often the profound loss of professional identity. Losing the ability to continue working can be devastating on both a financial and personal level.

Spouses frequently become full-time caregivers while juggling their own responsibilities. They may need to leave their jobs or work extra hours to make ends meet. Helping with daily tasks like bathing, dressing, and mobility becomes a second job – one without pay or time off.

Children watch their parents struggle with pain and depression, sensing the family’s financial stress even when adults try to shield them. Planned activities get canceled, college funds get depleted, and uncertainty settles over the household. Kids may take on extra responsibilities at home or feel guilty about asking for things the family can no longer afford.

Friends and communities feel these losses, too. When injured workers can no longer participate in local organizations or support neighborhood businesses, the social fabric weakens. Some families must relocate entirely, seeking better medical care or new employment opportunities, further breaking apart family and community bonds.

And while new employment is sometimes found, it rarely replaces what was lost: the injured railroader’s abilities are diminished, and the jobs that remain often come with lower wages, fewer benefits, and none of the union protections that once safeguarded the worker and their family.

This is exactly why Congress created the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (“FELA”) over 100 years ago. FELA is different from typical workers’ compensation programs. You must prove the railroad was negligent – meaning it was careless or broke the rules. However, once negligence is proven, the FELA allows for the potential of a comprehensive recovery. This includes not just medical expenses, but lost wages, diminished earning potential, pain and suffering, and reduced quality of life. In this way, the FELA provides a path for families to seek relief and stability, ensuring that when railroads make unsafe choices, they, and not the families, bear the financial consequences.

The true measure of a railroad injury is not found in emergency room bills or surgery costs alone. It is seen in the spouse working double shifts while caring for a disabled partner; it is felt by children who miss out on time with their injured parent; it is experienced by neighbors who lose a valued friend. These costs accumulate quietly by families who never expected their lives to change so dramatically without warning

At Schlichter Bogard, we understand that a railroad injury does not stop with the worker; it reverberates through the entire family and beyond. Our legal team is experienced in pursuing FELA claims that account for the full scope of these losses, from medical costs and lost wages to the unseen burdens carried at home. We are committed to protecting the rights of railroad employees and ensuring their families receive the justice and support they deserve. If you or a loved one has been injured while working for the railroad, we invite you to contact our office for a confidential consultation.