Boston Railroad Yard Accident Lawyer
Railroad yard work is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country. Every shift brings exposure to moving equipment, poor visibility and hazards that can change in seconds. If you were injured in a yard accident, you need more than a general personal injury lawyer. You need a Boston rail yard accident lawyer who understands the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) and knows how to hold railroads accountable.
At Naumes Law Group, LLC, we represent injured railroad workers throughout Massachusetts and New England. Our attorneys have practiced FELA law for a combined 15 years and serve as designated legal counsel for multiple railroad labor unions. We offer free consultations and fight aggressively to recover the full compensation you deserve under federal law.
What Makes Railroad Yards So Dangerous?
Railroad yards operate around the clock in crowded, high-traffic environments where heavy machinery and workers on foot share the same space. Unlike a typical job site, dangers in a yard can appear suddenly and from multiple directions. You may focus on coupling cars while another train approaches from behind. You may step over uneven ballast in low light while a switch engine reverses without warning.
Visibility is often limited, especially during night shifts, in poor weather or in congested sections of the yard. The physical layout itself creates constant hazards:
- Uneven track beds and loose ballast underfoot
- Gaps between rail cars and low clearance areas
- Inadequate lighting in switching zones
- Moving equipment that operates without warning signals
Yards run 24/7, which means fatigued workers are common. Despite these dangers, the railroad, not the worker, is responsible for maintaining a reasonably safe workplace under FELA. When the railroad fails to meet that duty, injured workers have the right to pursue compensation.
How FELA Differs From Workers’ Compensation For Yard Injuries
Railroad workers are not covered by state workers’ compensation systems. Instead, they are protected exclusively by FELA, a federal law that operates very differently from workers’ comp.
Under workers’ compensation, benefits are typically limited and predetermined. You may receive partial wage replacement and medical coverage, but you cannot recover damages for pain, suffering or the full extent of your losses.
Under FELA, you can pursue full compensatory damages, not limited to the following:
- Past and future medical costs
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
FELA requires proving that the railroad’s negligence contributed to your injury. However, unlike traditional negligence law, even partial negligence by the railroad is enough to support a claim. The railroad cannot simply argue that you assumed the risk as a complete defense.
You have three years from the date of injury to file a FELA claim. In some cases, the clock starts from when you discovered the injury. This deadline is strict, so acting quickly is critical.
Navigating FELA requires a railroad injury lawyer in Massachusetts who knows this specific area of law. A general personal injury attorney may not understand the federal regulations, union agreements, or railroad tactics that shape these cases.
Common Causes Of Railroad Yard Accidents And Railroad Liability
Yard accidents rarely happen by chance. They happen because railroads cut corners, ignore safety standards or fail to protect their workers. Common causes include:
- Inadequate or broken lighting in yard areas
- Poorly maintained tracks, walkways and infrastructure
- Failure to properly train workers on yard safety procedures
- Inadequate supervision during switching or humping operations
- Defective or improperly maintained equipment, including couplers, brakes and switches
- Failure to enforce or follow Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) safety regulations
- Understaffing that forces workers to perform tasks that should require a crew
- Communication failures between workers, dispatchers and engineers
Railroads are required under FELA to provide a reasonably safe workplace. Violations of FRA regulations can serve as evidence of negligence. At Naumes Law Group, LLC, we know railroad safety standards inside and out. We have held railroads accountable for injuries caused by their negligence, and we know how to build a strong railroad injury case on your behalf.
Get The Representation You Deserve
You do not have to accept a settlement that does not cover your losses. Naumes Law Group, LLC, offers experienced, aggressive representation for railroad workers injured in yard accidents throughout Boston, Milton and across New England. As a FELA claims attorney and designated counsel for multiple railroad labor unions, we understand what is at stake. Call 617-982-0064 today or send an email to book a free consultation and learn how we can help you recover the compensation you deserve.