What Personal Injury Lawyers Need to Know About Railroad Worker Injuries with John Cooper

by | May 31, 2024 | Law Firm Marketing

Episode 229:

Welcome to episode 229 of the Grow Your Law Firm podcast, hosted by Ken Hardison. In this episode, Ken sits down with John M. Cooper, Founding partner at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers and a veteran of Virginia personal injury law practice, to delve into the complexities of railroad worker injury cases governed by FELA and the challenges of dealing with railroad companies like Norfolk Southern and CSX. They highlight the importance of expert witnesses, early legal representation, and understanding the specific rules of railroad injury law to secure fair compensation for injured workers.
John M. Cooper is one of the founding partners at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers and a veteran of Virginia personal injury law practice. A native Virginian, he was raised in Norfolk and Virginia Beach by parents who practiced law. After graduating from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1988, John returned home to work for a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Norfolk Division, which launched his passion for and career in personal injury law.
What you’ll learn about in this episode:
1. Filings claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA):
  • Railroad worker injury cases governed by the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA) offer unique challenges due to the complex laws involved.
  • FELA allows employees of major railroads like Norfolk Southern and CSX to sue for damages, requiring specialized legal expertise for fair compensation.
2. Expert Witnesses and Railroad Injury Law:
  • Expert witnesses are crucial in proving liability and dealing with railroad companies’ claims departments.
  • It is essential in these cases to deal with slow responses from Amtrak and understand the specific rules and procedures of railroad injury law.
3. Legal Representation Crucial for Injured Workers:
  • The adversarial relationship between railroad companies and injured workers necessitates early and robust legal representation.
  • Amtrak’s high duty of care to passengers and potential obstacles posed by mandatory arbitration clauses make legal representation crucial.
4. Legal Complexities and Nationwide Practices in Railroad Crossing Accidents:
  • Visibility issues at railroad crossings leading to accidents often place responsibility on the driver, creating further legal complexities.
  • Navigating the nationwide practice of railroad injury cases is facilitated by remote communication options and in-house investigators.
5. Strategic Venue Selection in Amtrak Injury Cases for Optimal Jurisdiction:
  • Venue options in railroad injury cases can be creative and strategic, allowing for flexibility in choosing the most advantageous jurisdiction.
  • Amtrak cases present additional complexities in venue selection, where representing clients across different states can be managed effectively for their best interests.
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