| Railroad workers are commonly exposed to harsh | | | | Government officials hoped that these new regulations |
| conditions that take a toll on their health over many | | | | would help railroad employers monitor and prevent |
| years of employment. In 1908, the Federal Employers | | | | further loss in their employees' hearing. Hearing loss is |
| Liability Act was passed in order to protect railroad | | | | a preventable injury, so employers may be held liable if |
| workers from injuries that they suffer as a result of | | | | you have suffered due to their failure to uphold the |
| the actions of a negligent employer. Negligence on the | | | | new regulations or other negligent actions. |
| part of the employer must be proven in order to be | | | | Most often, hearing loss is caused by the excessive |
| eligible for compensation. According to FELA law, | | | | noise resulting from railway equipment such as |
| railroad employers are responsible for the safety of | | | | compressors, air hammers, and locomotives. In more |
| their employees and required to comply with the noise | | | | extreme cases, the loss of hearing may be caused by |
| level standards established by the government. | | | | an explosion or serious accident. Loss may be full or |
| While there has been concern for the health of railroad | | | | partial and may also result in other hearing related |
| workers for some time, the government did not pass | | | | problems, such as a buzzing in the ears. Consult a |
| hearing loss prevention safety standards for the | | | | doctor at the first sign of a hearing problem so that |
| railroad industry until 1980. Railway workers are | | | | any future hearing loss can be prevented. |
| subjected to very loud noise levels for prolonged | | | | If you have temporarily or permanently lost your |
| periods of time, commonly leading to temporary or | | | | hearing due to the negligent actions of your employer, |
| permanent loss of hearing. This is especially true for | | | | contact a FELA lawyer to discuss your legal options. |
| workers who work outside of the locomotive cab or in | | | | A licensed attorney will be able to assist you as you |
| conditions that exceed the noise level standards. | | | | pursue legal action against those who have caused |
| In 2004, these standards were revised to worker | | | | your injuries. Employers are responsible for the safety |
| harder to reduce the risk of hearing loss. Noise level | | | | of their workers and negligent employers deserve to |
| limitations and mandatory noise monitoring were put | | | | be held accountable for their actions. Contact a FELA |
| into place, as well as a hearing conservation program | | | | attorney to learn more about your legal rights. |
| for railroad workers at high risk of hearing loss. | | | | |