Railroad Worker Wins $4 Million Settlement After Workplace Injury

A railroad worker has secured a $4 million settlement following a serious workplace injury that required extensive surgery. The worker, a hostler driver for Pacific Rail Services, filed a lawsuit against a major transportation company and its subsidiary, citing unsafe work conditions and negligence under the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA).

The injury occurred in 2021 when the worker’s hostler truck was rear-ended by a temporary employee operating another hostler truck at a company site. The lawsuit alleged that the company failed to enforce safety protocols and did not provide adequate safeguards to prevent such incidents. In response, the defendants filed a third-party complaint against the labor service provider that supplied the temporary driver, arguing that they were also responsible for the worker’s injuries.

As a result of the accident, the worker suffered a herniated disc and nerve damage in the neck, ultimately requiring a three-level cervical fusion surgery. Despite the severity of his injuries, he continues to work without restrictions. However, his legal team hopes the settlement will offer him financial flexibility, allowing him to reduce his workload or transition to a less physically demanding role.

The settlement was finalized on March 4 2025, with all involved parties reaching an agreement. The case was mediated, and a judge officially dismissed the lawsuit shortly after. Trial attorneys Joseph D. Parente, Dennis M. Lynch, and Matthew J. Coleman represented the worker and expressed satisfaction with the outcome, emphasizing that the compensation will provide significant opportunities for his future.

This case highlights the importance of workplace safety and accountability, particularly in industries where employees face high risks of injury. It serves as a reminder that workers have legal recourse when employers fail to uphold safety standards.