Railroad Worker Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

The environment of a railyard is inherently demanding. While the focus is often on the immense power of locomotives and the weight of rail cars, some of the most frequent and debilitating injuries arise from a far more common danger: slips, trips, and falls. A single misstep on uneven ballast, a patch of grease on a locomotive walkway, or a fall from a defective ladder can end a career and change a life forever. These are not minor incidents; they are serious accidents that are often the direct result of a railroad’s failure to provide a safe workplace.

What Makes Alabama Railyards So Dangerous for Slips and Falls?

Railroad work is performed in a constantly changing and often hazardous environment. Unlike an office or a factory floor, a railyard is exposed to the elements and filled with potential pitfalls that can cause a serious fall. Workers in Alabama face a unique combination of industrial and environmental risks.

The very foundation of a railyard presents a challenge. The ground is often covered with ballast large, uneven rocks designed for track stability and drainage. Walking on ballast requires constant attention and can easily lead to a twisted ankle or a fall, especially when carrying equipment or working at night.

Common hazards that lead to slip, trip, and fall accidents in Alabama railyards include:

• Unstable and Uneven Walking Surfaces: Loose or improperly graded ballast is a primary cause of falls.
• Slick Surfaces: Spilled oil, grease, diesel fuel, or coolant on locomotive walkways, service areas, and the ground create treacherous slipping hazards. Alabama’s frequent rain and high humidity can make metal and concrete surfaces slick.
• Debris and Obstructions: Discarded parts, tools, old railroad ties, and other debris left in walkways or between tracks to create significant trip hazards.
• Poor Lighting: Inadequate illumination in yards, on locomotives, or in service areas makes it difficult to see potential dangers, especially during overnight shifts.
• Defective Equipment: Broken or missing handholds, bent ladder rungs, and warped running boards on locomotives and rail cars can fail without warning.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, ice, or morning dew can make surfaces dangerously slippery. Poor drainage can lead to pooling water that hides underlying hazards.

What are the Common Causes of Railroad Slip, Trip, and Fall Injuries?

While the environment is hazardous, these accidents are rarely unavoidable. They are typically caused by a railroad’s negligence in maintaining a safe workplace. A detailed investigation often reveals a specific failure or oversight that led directly to the worker’s injury.

Substances on Surfaces: One of the most frequent causes is the presence of foreign substances on walking surfaces. Leaking locomotives can leave trails of oil and diesel fuel. Maintenance facilities may have hydraulic fluid or grease on the floor. These substances must be cleaned up promptly, and any known leaks must be repaired. When a railroad fails to do so, it creates a serious slipping hazard.

Defective Equipment and Safety Appliances: The Locomotive Inspection Act (LIA) mandates that all parts of a locomotive must be in safe and proper condition. This includes:

• Ladders and Steps: Must be secure, free of defects, and not bent or broken.
• Handholds and Grab Irons: Must be firmly attached and able to support a worker’s weight.
• Running Boards and Walkways: Must be secure and free from slipping hazards like accumulated oil or grease.

A violation of the LIA that causes a fall can create strict liability, meaning the railroad is automatically considered at fault.

Walking Surface and Area Hazards: Railroads have a duty to maintain their yards in a reasonably safe condition. This includes ensuring that walkways are clear of obstructions, holes are filled, and ballast is properly graded and maintained. When debris is allowed to accumulate or the ground is not properly maintained, the railroad is putting its employees at risk.

How Do Federal Regulations Apply to Fall Hazards?

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has established extensive safety regulations to protect railroad employees. Many of these rules directly address the conditions that cause slip, trip, and fall accidents. For example, FRA regulations require that walkways next to tracks be kept clear of vegetation and debris. There are also specific rules regarding the condition of safety appliances on rail cars.

When a railroad violates an FRA safety regulation, and that violation causes an injury, it is considered negligence per se. This is a powerful legal concept in a FELA case. It means that the injured worker does not have to separately prove the railroad was careless. The act of violating the safety regulation is, by itself, proof of negligence. An attorney experienced in FELA and FRA regulations will know how to investigate and identify these violations to build a strong case.

What Types of Injuries Are Common in These Accidents?

A fall on hard ground, ballast, or steel can cause severe and lasting injuries. The consequences are often magnified when a fall occurs from a height, such as from the side of a locomotive or rail car. We regularly see clients suffering from:

• Fractures: Broken bones in the ankles, legs, hips, arms, wrists, and ribs are common.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: A fall can cause herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, or even permanent damage to the spinal cord, leading to paralysis.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Striking the head during a fall can cause concussions or more severe brain injuries with long-term cognitive and physical effects.
• Knee and Ankle Injuries: Twisting or falling on uneven surfaces can lead to torn ligaments (like the ACL or MCL), torn meniscus, and chronic instability.
• Shoulder Injuries: Falling onto an outstretched arm can cause rotator cuff tears, dislocations, and other serious shoulder damage.
• Soft Tissue Injuries: Severe sprains and strains can result in chronic pain and limitations.

These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including surgery, physical therapy, and long-term pain management. Many workers are left unable to return to their physically demanding jobs on the railroad.

How Do Injured Railroaders Prove a Claim Under FELA?

As mentioned, injured railroad workers are protected by the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), not state workers’ compensation. Under FELA, you must prove that the railroad’s negligence played a part, even a small part, in causing your injury. This is different from workers’ comp, which is a no-fault system.

To prove negligence in a slip and fall case, you generally need to show that:

• The railroad created a dangerous condition.
• The railroad knew or should have known about the dangerous condition.
• The railroad failed to correct the condition or adequately warn you about it.

Proving a violation of a federal safety statute like an FRA regulation or the Locomotive Inspection Act is one of the most effective ways to establish the railroad’s fault. This is why a thorough investigation by a knowledgeable FELA attorney is so important.

What is the Railroad’s Responsibility to Prevent Falls?

Under FELA, every railroad carrier has a legal duty to provide its employees with a reasonably safe place to work. This is a non-delegable duty, meaning the railroad cannot blame a contractor or another party for failing to keep the premises safe. This duty includes:

• Regularly Inspecting yards, locomotives, and equipment for potential hazards.
• Properly Maintaining walking surfaces, including ballast and designated walkways.
• Promptly Cleaning Up spills of oil, fuel, and other slippery substances.
• Ensuring Adequate Lighting in all work areas.
• Repairing or Replacing any defective safety appliances, such as ladders and handholds.
• Providing Proper Tools and equipment for the job.

When a railroad fails in any of these responsibilities, it has breached its duty of care and can be held liable for the injuries that result.

What Steps Should I Take After a Slip and Fall Accident on Railroad Property?

The actions you take immediately after an accident are important for your health and for preserving your legal rights.

Get Medical Help Immediately. Your health is the first priority. Request medical attention and make sure you report every injury and symptom to the doctor, no matter how minor it seems.

Report Your Injury. Report the accident and your injury to your supervisor as soon as possible. When you fill out an accident report, stick to the facts of what happened. Do not guess about the cause or admit any fault. Get a copy of the report.

Document the Hazard. If you are able, take pictures or video of the exact location where you fell. Capture what caused you to fall—be it a patch of oil, a broken piece of equipment, or a pile of debris. This evidence can be vital.

Identify Witnesses. Get the names and contact information of any coworkers or other individuals who saw your accident or the hazardous condition that caused it.

Do Not Give a Recorded Statement. A railroad claim agent will likely contact you and ask for a recorded statement. You are not required to provide one. These agents are trained to protect the railroad’s interests, not yours. Politely decline until you have consulted with an attorney.

Contact an Experienced FELA Attorney. FELA is a highly specialized area of law. An attorney who focuses on railroad injury cases will know how to investigate your claim, gather evidence of FRA violations, and protect you from the tactics of the railroad’s legal team.

What Compensation Can Be Recovered for a Fall-Related Injury?

FELA allows injured workers to recover a much wider range of damages than a typical workers’ compensation system. The goal is to provide full compensation for all of your losses. A successful FELA claim can include recovery for:

• Past and Future Medical Expenses: All costs related to your medical care, from the initial ER visit to any future surgeries or therapies.
• Past and Future Lost Wages: Compensation for the income you have already lost and for the loss of your ability to earn income in the future.
• Pain and Suffering: Damages for the physical pain and mental anguish you have experienced and will likely experience in the future.
• Permanent Disability and Disfigurement: Compensation if your injury results in a permanent physical limitation, scarring, or other disfigurement.
• Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Damages for the impact the injury has had on your ability to enjoy hobbies and daily activities.

Injured in a Railyard Fall? Let Burge & Burge, PC Fight for You.

A slip and fall accident can have devastating consequences for a railroad worker and their family. You are left dealing with a painful injury, mounting medical bills, and uncertainty about your future. You do not have to face this alone. At Burge & Burge, PC, we focus on holding railroads accountable under FELA for injuries that occur on their property in Alabama. We meticulously investigate every case to uncover evidence of negligence and safety violations. Our goal is to secure the maximum compensation you are entitled to under federal law, so you have the resources you need to recover and move forward.

If you were injured in a slip, trip, or fall on railroad property, contact us at 205-947-2962 for a consultation to discuss your case.

Frequently Asked Questions About Railroad Slip and Fall Accidents

What if I was partially at fault for my fall? Can I still recover compensation?

Yes. FELA uses a system of “comparative negligence.” This means that even if you were partially at fault, you can still recover damages. Your total compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if your injury was caused by the railroad’s violation of a safety statute like the LIA or an FRA regulation, the railroad is generally not allowed to argue that you were partially at fault.

How long do I have to file a FELA claim after being injured in Alabama?

The statute of limitations for FELA claims is generally three years from the date of the injury. It is very important to act quickly, as waiting too long can prevent you from ever being able to file a claim. Contacting an attorney soon after your injury ensures that evidence is preserved and deadlines are met.

Does it matter if the hazard that caused my fall was temporary?

No, it does not necessarily matter if the hazard was temporary, like a recent spill or a tool left in a walkway. The railroad has a continuous duty to keep the workplace safe. If the railroad or its employees created the temporary hazard or should have discovered and fixed it in a reasonable amount of time, they can still be held liable for your injuries.