FELA Lawyers

Railroad Worker Hazard: Ballast Injuries

Ballast, usually made of crushed rock or sand and gravel, is a material most railroad workers are familiar working on. Used to create a bed for the train track, this material also causes many injuries for those working for railroads since it has a tendency to shift as workers walk on it. Workers have reported various ballast-related injuries over the years. These injuries include damage to the legs, ankles, feet, and spine. Railroad workers spend numerous hours working on tracks and are required to navigate their steps on ballast practically every day. This increases the chances of slipping or tripping on the unstable surface.

Slipping or even tripping is not the only way that a railroad worker could be injured when working on ballast. Musculoskeletal disorders may develop over a long period of time. The stress that is put on muscles while walking on ballast can be very damaging to a railroad worker’s hips, legs, ankles, and feet. Studies have shown that the frequency of railroad workers who work on ballast is directly related to how progressed a possible musculoskeletal disorder may be. Years of working on ballast may cause chronic disorders. Studies also revealed that using smaller gravel ballast reduced the chance of a railroad worker developing a musculoskeletal disorder.

If you are a railroad worker and have experienced the pain of a musculoskeletal disorder due to years of working on railroad ballast, consult an attorney to learn about your legal options. Railroad workers who are injured on the job are protected by the Federal Employer’s Liability Act (FELA). Protect your rights as a worker and receive the compensation that you deserve for injuries that you have acquired due to conditions you must face at work. Contact the FELA lawyers of Williams Kherkher today for a free initial consultation. The FELA lawyers are committed to working closely with you to protect your legal rights as a railroad worker.