Burns are a skin injury usually resulting from excessive heat or exposure to certain chemicals, but can also be caused by other sources such as friction, radiation, electric, or the cold. FELA Claims for a burn injury vary greatly by the actual damage caused to the individual and the negligence that led to the incident in question. Your railroad employer may be liable for additional damages if the accident arose from their negligence of improperly maintaining equipment or worksites. An experienced FELA burn injury attorney can help you understand what you are entitled to should a burn injury occur.

While many in the railroad industry who suffer a burn injury may be able to return to work, there are some whose lives are completely altered due to the severity of the damage. In the most severe burn injury cases for railroad workers, the resulting damage can lead to a skin graft, amputation or even death. The ensuing damages from the burn injury are now not only physical but also financial and emotional claims due to the severity of the injury. If you or your loved one finds yourself in need of a FELA lawyer please contact The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. and Doyle Dennis Avery LLP.

FELA Burn Causing Incidents and Accidents

Friction Burns

Friction Burns are a result of the friction caused by skin rubbing against a surface. Friction burns for railroaders are most frequent from a hard object or piece of equipment grinding against the skin. Friction burns also may be the result of train or vehicle collisions.

Cold Burns

Cold burns or more commonly referred to as frostbite result from prolong exposure to the extreme cold which freezes the skin and other tissues. Railroad employees are most likely at risk for a cold burn to happen due to extreme weather. Frostbite claims are mostly resulting from injury or amputation to the small exposed parts of the body such as fingers, toes and your nose.

Thermal Burns

External heat sources which raise the temperature of the skin and tissues cause tissue cell death, which causes thermal burns or charring. When the skin of a railroad employee comes in contact with hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, or flames, it can cause thermal burns.

Electrical Burns

Electrical Burns result from direct contact with a high energy electrical current. Switchmen or others operating equipment may encounter an electrical burn if railroad equipment is not maintained and wired properly.

Chemical Burns

Chemical burns may also be called caustic burns and result from your skin or eyes interacting with a chemical irritant such as an acid or base. Railroaders may unfortunately come into contact with unidentified chemicals and suffer a chemical burn if the chemical materials they handle are not packaged and contained properly.

Radiation Burns

Radiation Burns result from an exposure to radiation. The most common type of radiation burn is a sunburn. While sunburns aren’t usually dangerous, railroaders may encounter this type of burn from exposure to sparks of welding torches or other encounters with intense radiation.

Hire A FELA Burn Attorney

Burn injuries can be absolutely devastating and life changing for many railroaders and their families. The best thing a railroader or their family can do when recovering from a serious burn injury at work is to contact an experienced FELA burn attorney. The attorneys at The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. and Doyle Dennis Avery LLP have decades of practice and results from representing clients in a variety of litigation supporting workers. We understand not only what is required for your FELA lawsuit to get the best result, but also the difficulties you face in recovering from a severe burn injury. Our attorneys also pride themselves on the ability to communicate complex legal issues and topics to their clients. We want our clients to not only be in the best position to make choices for their future, but also understand what options they have after a FELA burn injury.

Associated Dangers of Burn Injuries