No, while FELA and state workers compensation have similar purposes, in that they both compensate workers who are hurt on the job, they are separate laws and they are not the same thing. FELA is an acronym for the Federal Employers Liability Act. Since it was passed in 1908, FELA has helped injured railroad workers recover damages for injuries sustained in the course of their employment. FELA only applies to railroad workers and not to workers in other types of industries.

Generally, FELA allows for greater compensation to injured railroad workers than state workers compensation laws would provide. For example, a successful FELA claim could allow an injured New York or New Jersey train worker to recover damages for medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering. FELA does not use the same formula set by workers compensation laws.

For more information about your potential FELA recovery, please contact an experienced New York City FELA lawyer at Hofmann & Schweitzer. We can be reached at 1-800-362-9329 for a free consultation.
Paul T. Hofmann
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Focused on personal injury, with an emphasis on maritime, railroad and construction worker tort claims.