Queens Railroad Accident Lawyer
Because of the size and speed of LIRR, MTA, and Amtrak trains, accidents on railroads often result in severe injuries. If you or a loved one was injured in a railroad accident, it may be difficult to consider pursuing compensation right now, but a Queens railroad accident lawyer could help you to seek recovery for your damages.
After an accident, you might be wondering who could be liable and how you should proceed. While each case is unique, a seasoned personal injury attorney could evaluate your claim and help you assess your legal options.
Potential Compensation After a Railroad Accident
Any person involved in a railroad accident could sustain serious physical injuries, as well as possible pecuniary losses and emotional damage. As such, a claimant seeking recovery could request compensation for a number of damages, both economic and non-economic in nature. A seasoned railroad attorney in Queens could help one with recovering damages.
Immediate Economic Damages
Most prominent among damages typically sustained in train incidents are charges for medical treatment and hospital bills as a result of any subsequent injuries. Beyond this, severe injuries such as paralysis or amputation may force an individual to undergo costly treatment for months or years of their life. Accordingly, a person injured in a railroad accident may be able to recover for both past and future medical costs stemming from incident-related treatment.
Pecuniary Recovery for Missed Work
A claimant might also lose income following an injury sustained in an accident, as they may no longer be capable of performing certain job duties as they did prior to their trauma. Unfortunately, losing income for even a few days or weeks could have a significant impact on many worker’s financial security. Because of this, a plaintiff may be able to request recovery for lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and additional job-related damages.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective costs stemming from a serious injury. Examples include mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment of life. While non-economic damages are often difficult to ascertain, a detail-oriented and caring Queens railroad accident attorney could help a claimant carefully calculate each and every damage they have sustained in order to seek adequate compensation.
Determining Liability in Queens
Railroad companies have a duty to maintain a safe work environment and exercise care to avoid causing injuries. Because of this, a railroad company could be held liable for numerous kinds of injuries that result from a crash or other incident. This liability even extends to any damages a pedestrian sustains at a railroad crossing or location, so long as there is a link between the railroad company’s negligence and the resulting injuries.
Additionally, railroad workers or employees could also sustain injuries on the job due to unsafe work conditions. No matter who is harmed, a negligent railroad company could be liable for injuries resulting from:
- Improper employee training
- Improper or defective equipment
- Failure to maintain equipment
- Failure to maintain a safe work environment
Liability and FELA
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) might apply during an injured railroad employee’s case. If a railroad company is negligent in maintaining a reasonably safe work environment, they might be liable under FELA for injuries that occur as a result.
Evidence of a railroad company’s negligence in training, maintenance, or operation is usually critical to supporting an injured party’s claim. A knowledgeable lawyer in Queens could assist an individual in investigating a railroad accident and the circumstances surrounding their injury and determining who may be legally at fault.
Contact a Queens Railroad Accident Attorney
If you sustained an injury due to a person or company’s negligence involving a railroad, you might be entitled to compensation. However, seeking recovery alone can be difficult under any circumstances and especially as you recover from physical and emotional trauma.
A compassionate Queens railroad accident lawyer could help you navigate the legal system as you seek the compensation you deserve. To discuss all the legal options that may be available to you, call today.