Recent train accidents resulting in injury have returned the concept of Positive Train Control  or PTC to the national conversation, especially as it pertains to the reduction of FELA injuries.  PTC could reduce FELA injuries and increase safety on our railways.  In essence, PTC is a complex safety system comprised of many components from onboard computers and wayside systems to centralized monitoring and dispatch software.  The system is designed to more closely monitor the movement of trains throughout the system to reduce the number of train-to-train collisions and high speed accidents.

Originally, a bill passed in 2008 required PTC to be implemented by January 1, 2016.  The deadline has since been extended to the end of 2018 and perhaps even into 2020 if certain complications arise with implementation.

How could Positive Train Control or PTC reduce FELA injuries and the loss of life in fatal accidents?  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics almost 50 railroad employees lose their lives in train accidents each year.  Many more suffer serious crushing injuries, amputations and paralysis.  The hope of PTC legislation is to reduce the number of accidents resulting in injury or the wrongful death of railroad workers and FELA injury claims in the future.  The attorneys at Hargadon, Lenihan & Herrington, PLLC (HLH) support these measures and look forward to a safer working environment for all railroad workers.

HLH attorneys have extensive experience in railroad accident and FELA injury cases.  FELA injury claims are quite legally complex and require extensive legal skill, investigation and the intricate knowledge of complicated federal regulations.  While FELA provides additional protections and sources of recovery for injured railroad workers, injury victims need the representation of our skilled attorneys to aggressively advocate on their behalf, navigate the complexities of the system and ensure railroad workers recover the compensation they deserve.  If you are a railroad worker or have been injured at an accident at a railroad crossing, on foot or in a vehicle we invite you to contact HLH or call (502) 583-9701 for a free consultation with one of our experienced FELA injury attorneys.  PTC could reduce FELA injuries and increase the safety of all railroad workers.