The Federal Rail Safety Act protects railroad workers in Connecticut and other states when they engage in certain legally protected activities, such as reporting a hazardous safety condition on the job. If you suffer an occupational injury that results in disability, as well as inability to perform your duties in the workplace, you may qualify for railroad disability benefits. As with most benefits programs, you must first meet certain conditions to show that you are entitled.

If you’re seeking occupational disability benefits, you must be able to prove that the last paid employment you held was with a railroad and that you haven’t been interviewed for other employment within a certain amount of time. You must also be able to show that you have a permanent disability that occurred on the job. The disability in question must have caused inability to perform any of the duties you had in your regular occupation on the railroad.

Employment longevity and your age are additional factors that determine whether you qualify for an occupational railroad disability pension. If you’re age 60 or beyond and were on the railroad’s payroll for at least 10 years, you might be eligible. If you are under age 60 but have been employed by the railroad for at least 20 compensated years, you may also qualify.

The application process for occupational railroad disability benefits can be stressful. You’ll need documentation from your doctor and other information. If you receive such benefits, you will incur restriction as to future potential earnings until you reach retirement age. To help simplify the application process and seek answers to questions regarding other aspects of disability benefits, you may request a meeting with Cahill & Perry, P.C., Attorneys at Law, in Connecticut.