Railroad workers are commonly exposed to harsh conditions that take a toll on their health over many years of employment. In 1908, the Federal Employers Liability Act was passed in order to protect railroad workers from injuries that they suffer as a result of the actions of a negligent employer. Negligence on the part of the employer must be proven in order to be eligible for compensation. According to FELA law, railroad employers are responsible for the safety of their employees and required to comply with the noise level standards established by the government.
While there has been concern for the health of railroad workers for some time, the government did not pass hearing loss prevention safety standards for the railroad industry until 1980. Railway workers are subjected to very loud noise levels for prolonged periods of time, commonly leading to temporary or permanent loss of hearing. This is especially true for workers who work outside of the locomotive cab or in conditions that exceed the noise level standards.
In 2004, these standards were revised to worker harder to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Noise level limitations and mandatory noise monitoring were put into place, as well as a hearing conservation program for railroad workers at high risk of hearing loss. Government officials hoped that these new regulations would help railroad employers monitor and prevent further loss in their employees’ hearing. Hearing loss is a preventable injury, so employers may be held liable if you have suffered due to their failure to uphold the new regulations or other negligent actions.
Most often, hearing loss is caused by the excessive noise resulting from railway equipment such as compressors, air hammers, and locomotives. In more extreme cases, the loss of hearing may be caused by an explosion or serious accident. Loss may be full or partial and may also result in other hearing related problems, such as a buzzing in the ears. Consult a doctor at the first sign of a hearing problem so that any future hearing loss can be prevented.
If you have temporarily or permanently lost your hearing due to the negligent actions of your employer, contact a FELA lawyer to discuss your legal options. A licensed attorney will be able to assist you as you pursue legal action against those who have caused your injuries. Employers are responsible for the safety of their workers and negligent employers deserve to be held accountable for their actions. Contact a FELA attorney to learn more about your legal rights.
Joseph Devine
0 responses so far ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment