Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and The Youngdahl Law Firm File FELA Lawsuit Against Union Pacific Following November 17, 2025 Engine Fire

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. have filed a Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA) lawsuit against Union Pacific Railroad Company on behalf of a railroad engineer who was injured while operating a train near Rockdale, Texas. The case arises from an engine fire that occurred on November 17, 2025, requiring the engineer to place the engine into emergency and attempt to evacuate for his safety.

Union Pacific Engine Fire Injures Railroad Engineer

On November 17, 2025, the client was working as an engineer for Union Pacific and operating an engine pulling a train near Rockdale, Texas. During the operation, the engine unexpectedly burst into flames.

The client immediately placed the engine into emergency and attempted to evacuate the engine because of the dangerous conditions created by the fire. During the evacuation, he injured his right ankle.

In addition to the physical injury to his ankle, the client experienced the psychological effects of being placed in a life-threatening situation. The incident has resulted in ongoing mental injuries associated with experiencing and fleeing the engine fire.

FELA Claims Against Union Pacific

FELA provides a federal cause of action for railroad employees who are injured as a result of their employer’s negligence. In this case, the claims arise from the conditions surrounding the engine fire and the railroad’s responsibilities for providing a reasonably safe workplace.

The case involves claims that Union Pacific failed to take reasonable steps to protect the engineer from unsafe conditions, including failing to:

• Warn of unsafe conditions;
• Inspect and remedy defects in the engine that led to the fire;
• Establish and follow appropriate safety procedures for preventing and responding to engine fires;
• Properly instruct, supervise, and train employees regarding the safe handling of an engine fire; and
• Exercise reasonable care for the safety of its employees.

The lawsuit also includes claims based on alleged violations of federal railroad safety requirements, including 49 U.S.C. § 20701 and regulations contained in 49 C.F.R. Part 229 concerning locomotive safety.

Mental Injuries From Traumatic Railroad Events

A significant aspect of this FELA case involves the mental injuries that can result when a railroad employee is placed in immediate danger while working for the railroad.

Railroad employees can face traumatic situations in the course of their work, including fires, collisions, derailments, equipment failures, and other emergencies. When a railroad’s negligence places an employee in immediate danger of physical harm, the resulting psychological injuries can be part of a FELA claim.

Here, the client was not merely exposed to a stressful workplace situation. He experienced an unexpected engine fire while operating a train, had to place the engine into emergency, and attempted to evacuate while facing a potentially life-threatening event. The experience resulted in severe and debilitating mental injuries in addition to the physical injury to his right ankle.

FELA damages can address the consequences of both physical and mental injuries arising from a railroad accident. Depending on the circumstances, a railroad worker may seek compensation for physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, impairment, disability, medical expenses, lost earnings, diminished future earning capacity, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Seeking Compensation for Railroad Injuries

Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. represent railroad workers injured on the job and pursue FELA claims involving unsafe working conditions, defective equipment, inadequate safety procedures, and other forms of railroad negligence. The attorneys representing the client in this case are Doyle Dennis Avery LLP and Sara Youngdahl of The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C.

If you or a loved one has been injured while working for a railroad, contact Doyle Dennis Avery LLP or The Youngdahl Law Firm, P.C. to discuss your rights and potential FELA claim.