Railroad accidents/FELA/railroad employees

Train accidents can include derailments, train-passenger vehicle collisions, collisions with other trains, any accident resulting from a mechanical failure, or any occupational illness or injury to a railroad employee. If you or someone you love has suffered serious personal injury or death as a result of a train accident, it is wise to seek the early advice of a qualified personal injury attorney who can evaluate your case and determine whether you may be eligible to file a claim to recover your losses.

In recent years, more than 900 people a year have been killed in train accidents and many more suffered serious personal injuries. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) sets strict railroad safety guidelines and holds the railroad industry liable for passenger safety. In addition, the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) protects railroad employees who have suffered occupational injury or illnesses as a result of hazardous chemical exposure in the workplace.

The lawyers of Rossman, Baumberger, Reboso & Spier have represented injured workers and their families as well as victims of all kinds of railroad accidents since the firm was founded in 1974. We are actively representing victims of:

• the January 2005 Graniteville, S.C., railroad disaster which killed 10 and injured hundreds when a toxic cloud of gas covered the community;
• the April 2002 Amtrak Auto-Train derailment near Crescent City, Fl., putting 21 cars on the ground, killing four and injuring 142;
• the November 2004 rail collision near Vitis, Fl. (Pasco County), which killed the conductor

Partners Charles Baumberger and Howard Spier have been called upon to discuss the rights of rail accident victims and injured railroad employees before legal and union groups. Chuck Baumberger is a rail worker's son and has represented railroad workers for most of his 40-year legal career. Howard Spier has represented railroad employees and victims of rail accidents for a quarter century. He is a board member of the Academy of Rail Labor Attorneys. The firm is the only designated counsel in South Florida of the United Transportation Union and the Transportation Communications Union. Our knowledge of railroads and the law has given our firm an edge in representing victims of both rail and maritime disasters, which involve common legal issues.