Head-On Collision in the Yard—When the Railroad Fails to Follow Basic Safety Rules

Head-On Collision in the Yard—When the Railroad Fails to Follow Basic Safety Rules

Imagine sitting in your locomotive cab in the early morning hours, doing everything right,  waiting for your relief crew. Suddenly, headlights pierce the dark, and a massive hump train slams into your locomotive head-on.

It sounds like a nightmare, but it is exactly what happened to a conductor working at Union Pacific’s Livonia, Louisiana yard. The violent, unexpected impact caused severe, debilitating injuries to the worker’s right knee, neck, and back. To hold the company accountable for this serious incident, the FELA attorneys at Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and the Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. have teamed up to file a federal lawsuit against Union Pacific.

Systemic Failures in the Yard

A head-on train collision does not just happen without systemic breakdowns. Under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), railroads are strictly legally required to provide their workers with a reasonably safe place to work. This lawsuit, brought by Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and The Youngdahl Law Firm on behalf of their railroad client, alleges that Union Pacific completely failed that duty by:

• Failing to establish and follow proper safety procedures and practices for moving rail cars.
• Failing to operate equipment and yard trains in a reasonably safe manner.
• Failing to warn its employees of known, unsafe workplace hazards.

Protecting Your Career After a Rail Collision

When a railroad fails to enforce safe yard operations, it is the hard-working crews who pay the price. A severe spinal or joint injury can permanently derail a railroader’s ability to make a living and support their family.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a railroad yard collision or due to operational negligence, you do not have to fight corporate claims adjusters alone. Under FELA, you have specific legal rights to seek full compensation for lost wages, loss of earning capacity, medical bills, and pain and suffering. Know your rights before you sign any company statements and contact an experienced FELA litigation team at Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and the Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C.