Railroad Worker Benefits For Injury And Disability
For more than 115 years, railroad employees injured on the job have been able to access benefits critical to helping them rebuild their lives after a train accident. The Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), passed in 1908, allows railroad workers to sue their employers for damages after an accident if the railroad company’s negligence contributed to the accident.
But injured railroad workers may also qualify for additional benefits through the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), a federal agency that oversees retirement, disability and sickness benefit programs. At Naumes Law Group, LLC, our experienced Massachusetts railroad worker benefits attorneys can help you file for all benefits through RRB for which you might qualify. We have handled many railroad injury cases and understand all the nuances of RRB benefit programs.
Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Benefits Explained
There are several categories of RRB benefits that can apply to injured railroad workers.
Railroad Sickness And Accident Benefits [Short-Term Disability]
Railroad workers who qualify for Railroad Sickness And Accident Benefits through the RRB can receive up to 130 days of paid benefits (26 weeks) in a benefit year. Most workers will qualify for a daily maximum benefit rate of $99, which was established on July 1, 2025.
This benefit has a seven-day waiting period. Claimants must file the Application for Sickness Benefits with the RRB within 30 days of the first day for which they want to claim benefits to avoid a loss of payments. Initial claims are processed via paper forms that can be obtained from the RRB, though subsequent claims may be filed online.
Total Disability Benefits [Long-Term Disability]
The RRB also administers longer-term disability benefits for railroad workers who become permanently disabled on the job and are unable to do any type of paid work afterwards. Disability annuity payments can be paid out after a mandatory five-month waiting period that begins with the month immediately following the month of the disability’s onset.
Occupational Disability Benefits [Long-Term Disability]
Some railroad workers can no longer do their job after an injury but may not qualify for total disability. You may qualify for occupational disability if you have a current connection to the railroad industry and either have 10 years of creditable railroad service at age 60, or have 20 years (240 months) of creditable service at any age.
Who Qualifies For Railroad Benefits?
While RRB benefits for railroad workers cover multiple types of illness, injury and disability scenarios, a railroader must meet certain criteria to be eligible to receive them.
Years Of Service Requirements
To receive RRB benefits, you must have worked at least five months in your first year of work to be eligible for benefits in the next benefit year (which begins on July 1). To qualify for Total Disability benefits, you must have at least 10 years of creditable railroad service, or five to nine years of service (with at least five years worked in 1995 or later) and a disability insured status under the Social Security Act.
If you have worked in a railroad job as a contractor, rather than a full-time railroad company employee, rules for benefit eligibility are more complex. A consultation with a skilled railroad worker benefits attorney to determine your eligibility is strongly recommended.
Benefits Based Upon Railroad Occupation
Benefits under the Railroad Retirement Act (RRA) are primarily determined by an individual’s total creditable service months and their compensation/earnings over their career, not their specific job title (such as engineer or conductor). Therefore, benefits will differ between individuals based on their work history and wages, regardless of their role.
However, while most RRA benefit amounts are based on service and earnings, eligibility for the Occupational Disability Annuity is specifically determined by an individual’s “regular railroad occupation” and not solely by work history and wages.
After An Accident, We Help You Access All The Help You Need
The Massachusetts railroad worker benefits attorneys at Naumes Law Group, LLC, can help you explore all resource avenues available to you after you’re injured at your railroad job, including filing a FELA claim. To request an appointment, call us at 617-982-0064 or send us an email message. We serve clients in Massachusetts and across the northeastern United States from our office in Milton.