Illinois and Missouri Jones Act and FELA Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need an attorney?

If you have been injured while working on a railroad or on a marine vessel, you do have the right to file suit against your employer for damages if the injury was caused by employer negligence.  Your chances of success can be exponentially increased if you work with an experienced, confident and knowledgeable Jones Act/FELA lawyer.  At Cagle Law Firm, the Jones Act and FELA lawyers have the intimate familiarity with these types of cases that you need and every lawyer has extensive trial litigation experience.

What is the Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)?

Passed in 1908, this law was put in place to protect railroad workers and their families in the event of injury or death.  As railroad workers are not covered under regular worker’s compensation laws, different provisions had to be made as injuries and deaths among railroad employees increased in the early 20th century.

What is the Jones Act?

Sailors are not covered under worker’s compensation laws in the United States, so it was necessary to provide for employees and their families in the event of injury or death on the job.  In 1920, the Jones Act (or Merchant Marine Act) was passed to protect sailors and mariners in the same manner that FELA protects railroad workers.  If you are injured due to negligence, you have the legal right.

Can I still recover damages if I was partially responsible for my accident?

Depending on your case, you could still receive partial compensation for your injuries.  In cases like these, it is very important to speak with a St. Louis FELA/Jones Act attorney at Cagle Law Firm to determine what you might expect when you file a federal suit against your employer.

Is there a statute of limitations for filing a FELA case?

Yes.  You must file a case within three years of the accident or within three years of the time that you knew that your illness/injury/condition was caused by on the job activities.

Is there a statute of limitations for filing a Jones Act case?

Yes, like a FELA case, if you don’t file within three years, you lose the right to pursue a case against your employer.  The three year limit applies to the date of the injury or the reasonable time period that you knew your injury/condition was worsened or caused by on the job activities.

My family member was killed while at work at an interstate railroad.  Can the family file a FELA suit?

Family members are able to file suit in the case of a wrongful death.  If you believe that you have a wrongful death suit, you should contact a St. Louis FELA attorney at Cagle Law Firm to set up a consultation to discuss the possibilities of a case.  Your loss is irreplaceable and no amount of compensation could ever make up for your family member.  However, you do have the legal right to file a suit to recover damages for any financial hardship caused by the death of your loved one.

Contact a St. Louis FELA/Jones Act Lawyer at Cagle Law Firm to discuss your personal injury case in Missouri or Illinois!