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Railroad Injury/FELA
- What is a Quiet Zone and How Does it Affect Railroad Crossing Safety?
- 500 People Killed Every Year in Preventable Rail Crossing Accidents
- Wrong Way Driver Causes Deadly I-264 Car Crash Killing Two
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- Four Die In Hardeeville SC Train-Car Accident, Including Child
Posted on 11/23/2009 - Attorney John Cooper elected Officer of the new FELA Litigation Group of AAJ
Posted on 9/8/2009
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Railroad Injury/FELA
Association of American Railroads Recommends Safety Measures and Injury Prevention for Hand Brake Operation
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) performed ergonomic and biomechanical evaluations to help determine the best practices for hand brake operation. These suggestions were aimed at reducing serious injury and promoting safety in the railroad work environment. Most of the suggestions are common sense, but are good to keep in mind while performing daily hand brake operations.
Their evaluations four basic principles:
1.Keep your hands close to your body
2.Minimize twisting and side-to-side bending
3.Minimize jerking
4.Use your leg strength and maintain balance with your hands and feet
You might look at these principles and think, "Duh, of course." But you may be surprised to discover many rail workers suffer cumulative trauma or repetitive motion injuries. These are debilitating injuries which can end a career after performing the same task on a daily basis in a way that damages the muscles and tendons in a rail worker's body.
There are a few basic steps which should be followed by railroad workers, in addition to those of the AAR. If an employee suffers from persistent joint pain, a medical consultation is in order. It's not unusual for someone to hope that an ache or pain they begin to suffer in their knee, shoulder, etc. is going to go away once it's given some rest. However, if the ache persists for weeks or months, there is a risk that continued use may cause more harm. In many cases prompt medical care relieves the pain and provides attention which assists the healing process. Also, when a car with an unusually difficult handbrake is discovered, it should be reported to the appropriate authority so it can be repaired, or at least create a record of the problem. This step may also protect another worker down the line who encounters the car.
About the Editors: Shapiro, Cooper, Lewis & Appleton is a law firm which focuses on injury and accident law and we have handled hundreds of FELA (railroad worker injuries) and general railroad injury cases. Please take a moment to review our railroad injury case results and visit our Railroad Accident/FELA Lawyers Blog. We serve all areas of North Carolina including the Outer Banks, Nags Head, and all counties. While not every injury case meets our criteria, we off a free, initial confidential injury case consultation, so call us toll free at 1-800-752-0042. If you cannot get through due to high call volume, please leave a voicemail and we will return your call promptly.
Rick Shapiro and James Lewis were included among the "Best Lawyers in America" 2010 Edition, and selected by the National Million Dollar Advocates Forum (2009). In addition, our firm has the highest rating of AV from Martindale-Hubbell, a national lawyer ranking organization, which means we have a reputation for preeminent legal skill.
We would like to send you one of our free reports about railroad injury and FELA cases, including the Do's and Don'ts When Injured at a Railroad - The Railroad Workers FELA Rights and What Railroad Claim Agents Agents Won't Tell You (But You Must Know). In addition, our lawyers proudly edit the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard, as a public information service. We also host an extensive injury law video library on Youtube.
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FAQs
Railroad Injury/FELA
- I've retired from the railroad a long time ago. Can I still file a claim for an asbestos cancer or mesothelioma diagnosis?
- I've been diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer. I was never told it was connected to the railroad work I did many years ago. Can I still bring a railroad injury or disease claim?
- How can a railroad injury lawyer prove that the asbestos cancer or mesothelioma arose from exposure at the railroad?