Blog

goDown

Train signals are factors in many railroad accidents


Any passenger boarding a Connecticut train can reasonably expect that the engineer has had proper training and clearly understands the train signal system and other safety tools meant to keep riders safe along the tracks. Engineers are not the only ones who benefit from such knowledge. In fact, passengers who do a bit of research ahead of time may be able to use what they learn to help improve their own travel safety.

Railroad signal lights are similar in code to roadway traffic signals. It is a universal system where green means go and red means stop while yellow alerts caution. Rail signals help drivers of non-locomotive vehicles to know when train tracks are clear and safely accessible.

Each section of track is also guarded by signals so engineers know when a circuit is clear. This system was implemented in 1872 to help prevent collisions. As opposed to modern digital signals, many railroads in the United States still use semaphores, which is a mechanical arm that moves at different angles and positions to inform engineers when they need to stop or proceed with caution.

Train signals sometimes fail to work properly. Train engineers can make mistakes and fail to interpret signals properly. Drivers of other vehicles may be negligent in a manner that causes serious railroad accidents. If that happens in Connecticut, injured workers will want to familiarize themselves with the Federal Employers Liability Act, through which all benefits claims or personal injury lawsuits are filed in connection with on-the-job railroad worker injures.

  • $10.8 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Conductor wrongful death case. (Avery v. Metro-North RR).
  • $8 Million settlement for an Amtrak Trackman who sustained a crushed leg. (Cevasco v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $7 Million settlement for a Metro-North Foreman whose legs were amputated. (Renert v. Metro-North RR).
  • $5.8 Million settlement for an Amtrak Conductor who sustained a head injury. (Fitzpatrick v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $5.5 Million settlement for a Metro-North Machinist wrongful death case. (Pieger v. Metro-North RR).
  • $4.3 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Conductor wrongful death case. (Ard v. Metro-North RR)
  • $2.57 Million Verdict for an Amtrak Conductor who sustained a back injury. (Pace v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $2.5 Million Settlement for a Metro-North employee who sustained a serious head injury.
  • Settled for a Confidential Sum for a Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company Trackman wrongful death case. (Macaulay v. Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad Company.)
  • $6.250 Million Verdict in 2023 which was later reduced to $2.1 Million for a Metro-North Structural Welder/Ironworker who sustained head and neck injuries and has returned to work. (Torres v. Metro-North RR).
  • $2 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Lineman who sustained an electrical burn (Curly v. Metro-North RR).
  • $2 Million Settlement in 2020 for a Providence & Worcester Railroad Company Conductor who sustained a serious head injury and returned to work for another RR as an Engineer. (Scarpa v. Providence & Worcester Railroad Company.)
  • $2 Million Settlement for a Metro-North Conductor who sustained a fractured leg.
    Settled for a Confidential Sum in 2019 an Amtrak Lineman involving an electrocution causing a permanent occupational disability. (Anderson v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.).
  • $1.85 Million Verdict for an Amtrak Ticket Agent who was assaulted. (Schneider v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.)
  • Compensatory and punitive damages Verdicts and subsequently settled for $1.8 Million in 2023 for a Metro-North
  • Conductor who suffered Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. (Moran v. Metropolitan Transportation Authority).
  • $1.69 Million Settlement for an Amtrak Supervisor who was shot by an employee. (Cornelius v. National Railroad Passenger Corp.)
  • $1.65 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Lineman who sustained foot and ankle injuries. (Keating v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.65 Million Verdict for a Metro-North TA Employee who sustained an Open Tibia Fracture to his left leg. (Rivera v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.54 Million Verdict for an Amtrak General Foreman who sustained a herniated disc in his lower back. (Brady v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation).
  • $1.45 Million Verdict for a Construction Worker who sustained a left hip injury. (Quintiliani v. National Railroad Passenger Corporation).
  • $1.42 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Machinist who sustained a fractured rib and a herniated disc. (Hall v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.4 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Mechanical Gang Foreman who sustained burns from an explosion of steam on an engine. (Berry v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.4 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Carpenter Foreman who sustained a back injury. (Kendall v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.3 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Signal Trainee Maintainer who sustained a back injury from a slip and fall. (Moran v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.2 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Signal Maintainer who sustained a back injury and post-concussion syndrome. (Manes v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1.2 Million Verdict for a Metro-North Trackman who sustained crushed legs. (Murillo v. Metro-North RR).
  • $1 Million Settlement for a Metro-North Trackman who sustained burns from pot welding and subsequently returned to work. (Burke v. Metro-North RR).

find yourself a Railroad Law Attorney | Call 800-654-7245

CALL OR EMAIL US TODAY TO GET STARTED

If you are a railroad worker who has been injured on the job, you need a lawyer who understands the complicated FELA claims process. Find out how we can help you receive the compensation you deserve.

Protecting Injured Railroad Workers,
Passengers And Families
40 years of experience

New Haven Office

43 Trumbull Street
New Haven, CT 06510
Toll Free: 800-654-7245

Phone: 203-777-1000
Fax: 203-865-5904
directions

Boston Office

470 Atlantic Avenue, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210

Phone: (617) 217-2920
directions

arla

New York Office

Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue, 26th Floor
New York, NY 10174

Toll Free: 800-654-7245
Phone: 212-453-7300
directions

connect with us