Cormick McLaughlin

Focused on FELA & Railroad Injury Law

Cormick McLaughlin is an associate attorney at McEldrew Purtell whose practice focuses on representing railroad workers injured on the job and pursuing claims under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA).

Cormick works with the firm’s railroad injury team on cases involving unsafe working conditions, electrical hazards, inadequate equipment, unsafe work practices, and other circumstances in which railroad negligence may contribute to an employee’s injury.

His work includes investigating how railroad injuries occur, identifying the individuals and entities responsible for workplace conditions, developing evidence, and helping injured workers establish the full effect an injury may have on their health, employment, and future.

Hands-On FELA Trial Experience

Cormick has already gained significant courtroom experience in railroad litigation.

He served on the trial team supporting attorney John Coyle in an FELA case involving a SEPTA conductor who suffered a serious electrical shock while working. SEPTA denied responsibility and made no settlement offer before trial.

The evidence showed that SEPTA had been aware of electrical shocks occurring at its stations for years before the conductor was injured. After trial in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, the jury returned a $1.6 million verdict for the injured conductor.

That experience gave Cormick firsthand exposure to the preparation and trial of a contested FELA case involving liability, workplace safety, medical evidence, wage loss, and the long-term consequences of a railroad injury.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Every case depends on its specific facts and legal circumstances.

Understanding the Railroad Environment

Railroad injury litigation often requires attorneys to understand more than the circumstances immediately surrounding an accident. Track ownership, property responsibility, railroad operations, work assignments, equipment, safety procedures, and the relationships among rail carriers and public transportation agencies can all affect how a case is investigated.

Cormick has researched and written about these issues, including the complexities of determining railroad track ownership and maintenance responsibility in Philadelphia and the surrounding region.

Understanding who controls railroad property can be an important part of identifying responsibility, preserving evidence, and determining which parties should be investigated after an injury.

Developing FELA Cases From the Evidence

A railroad injury case can depend heavily on what happens immediately after an incident. Witness accounts, photographs, reports, work records, equipment information, medical documentation, and evidence regarding previous hazards may all become important.

Cormick works with the railroad injury team to investigate those details and develop the evidence necessary to determine whether the railroad provided employees with a reasonably safe place to work.

His approach is shaped by both his experience handling FELA matters and his background in trial advocacy. Before becoming an attorney, Cormick competed on Temple University Beasley School of Law’s National Trial Team and received recognition for excellence in trial advocacy.

Advocating for Railroad Workers

A serious injury can put a railroad worker’s livelihood at risk. Physical restrictions may prevent an employee from returning to the same craft, performing required job duties, or continuing a railroad career that may have taken years to build.

Cormick works with injured railroad employees to understand those consequences and ensure they are considered as part of the FELA claim.

He is also a member of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys, an organization of attorneys who protect the rights of railroad employees.

Learn More About Cormick McLaughlin

This page focuses specifically on Cormick’s work representing railroad employees and handling FELA and railroad injury matters.

For his complete professional background, education, professional memberships, and additional experience, view Cormick McLaughlin’s full biography on the McEldrew Purtell website.