Common injuries affecting carmen and railcar repairers
The physical and mechanical demands of railcar inspection and repair can lead to injuries such as:
- Back and neck injuries
- Shoulder and knee injuries
- Crush and caught-between injuries
- Hand and finger injuries
- Foot and ankle injuries
- Fractures
How these injuries can happen
For carmen and railcar repairers, injuries often involve heavy equipment, railcar movement, tools, lifting, and mechanical systems.
Common scenarios may include:
- Railcars moving unexpectedly
- Workers caught between cars or equipment
- Defective jacks or lifting equipment
- Coupler or draft gear failures
- Brake system injuries
- Falls from railcars, ladders, or platforms
- Defective steps, handholds, or walking surfaces
- Struck-by incidents
- Heavy lifting and material handling
- Power tool or machinery injuries
- Electrical hazards
- Exposure to dust, fumes, solvents, or chemicals
Safety bulletin
Injured while working as a carman or railcar repairer? Do this now.
1
Get medical care
Seek appropriate medical attention and clearly explain how the injury occurred, including the railcar, tool, equipment, movement, or work condition involved.
2
Document the car and equipment
Record the railcar numbers, track or shop location, tools and machinery involved, and the work being performed at the time of the injury.
3
Preserve details about the defect or condition
Write down whether the injury involved defective equipment, unexpected movement, inadequate securement, lifting equipment, a fall, or another unsafe condition while the details are still fresh.
4
Identify witnesses
Record the names of coworkers, supervisors, shop employees, inspectors, or others who witnessed the incident or were aware of the equipment or condition involved.
5
Be accurate when reporting the injury
Describe the equipment, work process, and conditions that contributed to the injury. Avoid guessing about facts you do not know.
6
Talk to a FELA attorney before signing important documents
Statements, releases, authorizations, settlement documents, or other paperwork may affect your rights after a serious railroad injury.
Injuries that develop over time
Not every carman or railcar repairer injury results from a single accident.
Years of lifting heavy components, working in awkward positions, climbing railcars, using vibrating tools, bending, kneeling, and performing repetitive mechanical work can contribute to chronic back, neck, shoulder, knee, hand, and other musculoskeletal conditions.
Long-term exposure to shop noise, welding fumes, solvents, dust, diesel exhaust, or other workplace substances may also contribute to hearing loss or occupational illness.
When symptoms develop gradually, documenting your work history can be important. Record the tasks you performed, the tools and equipment used, the physical demands of the work, the substances encountered, the years of exposure, and when symptoms first appeared.
How FELA may apply
The Federal Employers’ Liability Act, or FELA, allows covered railroad employees to recover damages when railroad negligence contributes, in whole or in part, to an injury. The law specifically addresses injuries resulting from negligence or defects in railroad cars, engines, appliances, machinery, track, roadbed, and other equipment.
For carmen and railcar repairers, an investigation may examine issues such as:
- Railcar securement
- Equipment inspection and maintenance
- Couplers and draft systems
- Brake systems
- Jacks and lifting equipment
- Tools and machinery
- Staffing
- Training
- Shop and walking surfaces
- Lighting
- Protective equipment
- Prior complaints or repair history
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulates railcar safety and inspection requirements that may become relevant depending on the equipment and circumstances involved.
What a carman or railcar repairer FELA case may be worth
There is no standard value for a carman or railcar repairer injury claim.
The value of a FELA case can depend on the severity of the injury, medical treatment, whether the worker can return to railroad service, lost earnings, future restrictions, long-term medical needs, and the evidence showing how railroad negligence contributed to the injury.
Evidence that may matter
Important evidence can include:
- Railcar inspection and repair records: These may show defects, prior repairs, failed components, or recurring problems involving the railcar.
- Equipment and tool records: Maintenance and inspection records for jacks, machinery, power tools, or other equipment may help establish whether a defect contributed to the injury.
- Photos and video: Images can preserve railcar conditions, equipment position, shop areas, defects, and other hazards before they are repaired or moved.
- Work orders and defect reports: These may document prior problems, requested repairs, or known conditions involving the equipment.
- Witness statements: Coworkers and shop personnel may provide important information about equipment condition, work procedures, and what happened before the injury.
- Work and assignment records: Shop assignments, inspection duties, repair records, and work history may help establish the circumstances surrounding the injury or long-term exposure.