Railroad Worker Suffers Permanent Injury From Electric Shock

ByJoseph O'Neill

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Updated onJanuary 6, 2018

Railroad Worker Suffers Permanent Injury From Electric Shock

This case takes place in New York and involves a locomotive engineer who was injured while operating the locomotive for a large freight train hauling iron ore. The engineer leaned back in his seat and, without warning, his hand touched unprotected bare wires within the locomotive cabin. The wires were on the back door window defrost heater, and, as a result of the shock, he has sustained neurological problems, including permanent tremors, and was diagnosed with mild traumatic brain damage. In addition to his neurological problems, the plaintiff was also severely burned during the accident, leaving extensive scarring and tissue damage on his arm and leg.

Question(s) For Expert Witness

1. Are you familiar with the Federal Employer’s Liability Act and the laws aimed at protecting railroaders?

2. Are you familiar with the locomotive inspection act?

3. Have you ever worked on the electrical systems of a locomotive?

Expert Witness Response E-007300

inline imageI am an electrical engineer by training and worked in the railroad industry for a number of years. I trained and supervised employees as to safe work practices on a continuing basis, investigated employee injuries and devised corrective action. I am extremely familiar with the Federal Employers Liability Act and believe I can be of great help in this case. It should go without saying that electrical wires in any setting or scenario should be covered and protected. In this case, it's likely that the protective insulation surrounding the wires had been worn through due to use, and that a regular inspection of the cabin should have detected the issue before it had the opportunity to cause serious harm as in this case.

About the author

Joseph O'Neill

Joseph O'Neill

Joe has extensive experience in online journalism and technical writing across a range of legal topics, including personal injury, meidcal malpractice, mass torts, consumer litigation, commercial litigation, and more. Joe spent close to six years working at Expert Institute, finishing up his role here as Director of Marketing. He has considerable knowledge across an array of legal topics pertaining to expert witnesses. Currently, Joe servces as Owner and Demand Generation Consultant at LightSail Consulting.

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