A New York FELA Lawyer Looks at the FRA’s First 2011 Safety Advisory

Earlier this month, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued an important safety advisory to railroad workers. It was the first advisory issued by the FRA this year. The advisory was put out to freight railroad operators and employees to remind them of the "hazards associated with switching operations." As a New York FELA lawyer, I am pleased to see the advisory issued and hope that railroad employers will review the important safety information with their employees.

The Advisory was issued because two railroad employees were recently killed during switching operations. One of the fatalities occurred on September 2, 2010 in Bridgeport, New Jersey. The other occurred in Illinois during February 2011. Both fatalities occurred because of equipment that was inappropriately left on adjacent tracks. As a result, the FRA is advising that railroad employers review these fatal incidents with their employees and reinstruct employees about the importance of leaving rolling equipment clear from adjacent tracks.

If you have been hurt in a New Jersey or New York railroad switching accident or any other type of railroad accident, then you may be entitled to damages. Please contact a New York FELA attorney at 1-800-362-9329 today for more information about your legal rights and your potential recovery.

*Source: Federal Railroad Administration, FRA Issues Safety Advisory to Railroad Workers, FRA 05-11, April 6.2011